BAL AVIDYAL AYA

THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG DEAF CHILDREN

&
INSTITUTE FOR TEACHER TRAINING

THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG DEAF CHILDREN

Annual Report 2014

18, 1st Cross Street, Shastri Nagar, Adyar, Chennai 600 020.
Ph: 044 2491 7199, Fax: 044 2498 2598
Email: hear@balavidyalayaschool.org
Web: www.balavidyalayaschool.org

BALAVIDYALAYA
THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG DEAF CHILDREN

44th ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2013-14

We have great pleasure in submitting the 44 th Annual Report of
BALAVIDYALAYA, The School for Young Deaf Children, Chennai.
43rd ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS:
The 43rd Annual Day of the School was celebrated on the 9th March 2013 at the
Anna Auditorium of the Association of Surgeons of India, Chennai 600 005. It
was attended by over 900 participants consisting of family members of the
students, alumni and their family members, representatives from the other special
schools and our well wishers. The children who were going to leave the school in
June 2013 for integration into mainstream schools recited Nursery Rhymes.

Ms. Roopa Nagarajan, Head, Speech & Hearing Department, Sri Ramachandra
Medical College, Porur presided over the function as the Chief Guest.
Miss. Seri Nirath Sanjana a 3rd year student of B.Tech Aeronautics at IIT Madras
and an alumnus of the school shared with the audience her experiences at IIT
Madras.
Mrs. Chitradevi Karthikeyan mother of Mahima a student from the English
Section and Mrs. Jasreen Parveen mother of Fajja a student from the Tamil Section
of the school who were getting ready for integration in to 1st Standard in
mainstream school in June 2013 spoke on the occasion. They shared their journey
for the last 4 years at BALAVIDYALAYA as the caregiver of their child.
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Mr. V. Subramaniyan, Chief Manager of Punjab National Bank where our alumnus
Mrs. Lakshmi Mannu is working as Single Window Cashier spoke on how
Lakshmi functions as a part and parcel of his bank and applauded her contribution
to uphold the goodwill of the bank among their customers.
The Chief Guest Ms. Roopa Nagarajan released the 43rd Souvenir and presented
a memento to Mrs. Poovarsi, a teaching staff of the school for completing 20
years of dedicated service at school.
She presented mementos to Mrs. Kaousar Jahan mother of Sameena and
Y. Bhuvaneswari mother of Meenalochani for 100% attendance of Sameena and
Meenalochani to school during the year 2012-13. She presented Books and Medals
to children who got integrated to mainstream schools in June 2012.
During her Presidential address Ms. Roopa Nagarajan congratulated the school
for being the pioneer in Early Intervention of children with hearing impairment
enabling them acquire early verbal language skills and get integrated into
mainstream schools. She said that BALAVIDYALAYA is responsible for bringing
in the idea of Early Intervention in the country and is the synonym for Early
Intervention of children with hearing impairment.
THE SCHOOL:
On the 26th April 2013 the School closed for Summer Vacation. The Staff worked
for a week to update the Teaching Learning Materials. The School reopened on
10th June 2013.
ADMISSION OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN:
49 infants and young children from birth to 3 years were admitted in the school
during the year. Admission is not restricted to the beginning of the year. Children
get admitted throughout the year, as and when they come seeking admission,
even on the last working day of the term/year so that they would not lose further
time without intervention.
In the span of 3 to 4 years more than 95% of the children develop age appropriate
skills in Motor, Listening, Language, Speech and Cognition along with Readiness
skills in Reading, Writing and Number Work. When the children are around 5 or
6 years old they leave for integration into 1st Standard of Mainstream Schools to
pursue their studies along with their hearing peers.
One family member of the child, mostly the mother of the child, is trained to be
the Resource Person for the child. She/he is in constant touch with the class
teacher in the mainstream school and the other children in the class. She/he is
also in touch with BALAVIDYALAYA and gets help and support whenever
required.
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Integration of children into mainstream schools : 23 students of the school

went to regular schools in June 2013 for integration. Most of them were 5 years
old and a few were 6 years old.
All of them have acquired fluency in verbal language skills. 14 of them were
from the Tamil section and 9 were from the English section. Some of the children
have gone back to their home towns and have joined mainstream schools there
while the others have joined different mainstream schools in Chennai.
Sl.No

Name

Medium

Mainstream School

1.

Lakshmi Prabha.V

Tamil

Angel School, Tondiarpet, Chennai

2.

Gopika.P

Tamil

Government Primary School, Chennai

3.

Uma Maheswari.P

Tamil

Advenat Christ Middle School, Ponmar

4.

Manish.I

Tamil

Children Garden School, Chennai

5.

Goutham.G

Tamil

Chennai

6.

Kannika.J

Tamil

Little Flower Convent, Kunrathur, Chennai

7.

Iswarya.S.P

Tamil

Saraswathi Vidyalaya, Thiruvottiyur, Chennai

8.

SriVaishnavi.R

Tamil

Sarada Vidyalaya School, T. nagar, Chennai

9.

Sameena.G

Tamil

Annai Velankanni School, Saidapet, Chennai

10. Kavya.K

Tamil

Jayaganesh Primary School, Ambattur, Chennai

11. Mohamed Faja.J

Tamil

Acharya High School, Adyar, Chennai

12. Anbu Cheziyan

Tamil

Madurai

13. Anusha

Tamil

Valluvar Guru Gulam, Chennai

14. Meenakshi

Tamil

Bharat School, Adyar, Chennai

15. Roshini.R

English

Mahavidyapeeta School, Dubai

16. Sharini.S

English

Kendra Vidyalaya, Chennai

17. Ishvi Jain

English

High Field International School, Vizag

18. Harshatha.S

English

Kendra Vidyalaya, Chennai

19. Karki

English

Kendra Vidyalaya, Chennai

20. Mahima.K

English

Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Coimbatore

21. Kanishk.R

English

Kendriya Vidyalaya, Trichy

22. Mariam

English

Kerala

23. Sree Darshan

English

Progressive Primary School, Chennai

Over 500 alumni students are studying in mainstream schools at Primary,

Secondary & Higher Secondary schools in the city, in the districts of Tamilnadu
and in the other states of India. A few are in mainstream schools in Dubai,
Kuwait, Bahrain and Malaysia.
ALUMNI PASSED OUT IN 10th STANDARD FROM MAINSTREAM
SCHOOLS:
35 alumni students have passed out of 10th standard from mainstream schools.
Kushagra Rajneesh Kumar and A. Fathima Nisha have topped the list with 84%.
All have joined 11th std, some in CBSE, some in ICSC and some in State Board.
ALUMNI PASSED OUT IN 12th STANDARD FROM MAINSTREAM
SCHOOLS:
32 students have passed out of 12th standard from mainstream schools. Some
have joined Professional courses and the others have joined Colleges of Arts
and Science.
Ashna Cherry Srivasthava (Integrated in 2001) secured 92.5% in CBSE from
DAV Public School, Ghaziabad and has joined IIT New Delhi in B.Tech CS.
Nivedha (Integrated in 2001) (Tamil medium) topped
Pondicherry and Karaikal Districts scoring 918 / 1000.
She has joined B.Com.
Debaprana (Integrated in 2002)
(English Medium) scored 76 % in
CBSE from Arsha Vidya Mandir,
Chennai and has joined B.Arch in
Anna University School of Architecture and Planning.
Vijay Pranav (Integrated in 2001)
(English Medium) scored 80 % in
CBSE from Bala Vidya Mandir,
Chennai and has joined B.A,
B.L.(Hons) in School of Excellence
in Law, Chennai.
Prashanth (Integrated in 2002)
(Tamil medium) scored 1037 / 1200
and has joined B.Tech CS in Anna University
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Perunidhi (Integrated in 2001) (Tamil medium) scored 805 / 1000 and has joined
B.Tech CS in Anna University
Natraj (Integrated in 2001) (Tamil medium) has joined B.Tech
CS in Anna University
Mukesh scored 683 / 1000 (Integrated in 2002)
(Tamil medium) has joined B.E. Aeronautical
Engineering in Anna University
Sai Akash (Integrated in 2002) (Tamil medium)
has joined B.Tech IT in MIT Chennai.
Goutham (Integrated in 2001) (Tamil medium)
has joined ECE in MIT, Chennai.
Greeshma (Integrated in 2002) (English medium) scored 93 %
in CBSE and has joined B.Com in Shree Ram College of
Commerce New Delhi.
Vrinda (Integrated in 2001) (English medium) scored 87 %
in State Board from Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore
and has joined B.Com.

ALUMNI IN PROFESSIONAL COURSE:

Denny Sebastian (Integrated in 1997) ( English Medium)
passed out as BE Mechanical Engineering from College of
Engineering Trivandrum and has joined M.S at Rochester
University US.
ALUMNI ENTERING JOBS AND
BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT:
Swetha MNV(Integrated in 1993) (English Medium) passed
MS CS from University of Utah and has taken up her job in
MICROSOFT US.
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ALUMNUS GETS NATIONAL AWARD FOR ROLE MODEL:

Ms. Vanitha Balasubramanian
B.Tech presently working in
Bank of Baroda, Mumbai
received the National Award
for Role Model from the
hands of the President of India
on the occasion of the World
Disability Day in December
2013. Apart from being a
studious student alumnus
Vanitha is an all rounder with
interest in various fields like dance, theatre, karate and art.
We congratulate Ms. Vanitha Balasubramanian on this recognition from the
Governmebt. We wish her well in all her future endeavors.
We thank our alumni for their tireless efforts in finding their rightful place in
society. We take this opportunity to congratulate the parents and family members
of the alumni for providing their wards the necessary support and guidance.
We wish our alumni a great success in all their endeavors and pray that God be
with them in accomplishing their goals.
AN ONGOING WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS - DHVANI PARENTING
PROGRAMME:
DHVANI PARENT KITS I & II formulated and published by
BALAVIDYALAYA have 300 routine house hold activities made into language
situations. Kit I caters to children birth to three years and Kit II for children
three to six years. An on going Workshop is conducted and the parents are
empowered using the KITs. Every week two or three activities from the KITs
are done by the parents with their respective child under the supervision of the
class teachers. The teachers further explain to the parents as to how a routine
situation at home is to be changed as a language situation by providing the
appropriate words, phrases and sentences and the necessary information as the
content. Discussions are held with parents to clear their doubts.
This Ongoing Workshop on Parenting trains the parents and family members to
become effective caregivers for the child.
DHVANI PARENT KITS TRANSLATED IN MARATI AND PUBLISHED:
Many Institutions across the country have got the DHVANI PARENT KITS for
their libraries. Finding the value of the KITS Hashu Advani College of Special
Education Mumbai wanted to translate the KITs in Marati so that the parents of
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their special schools as well as the other Marati speaking families can benefit.
The management of the College of Special Education and the Special School
for the hearing impaired children CHEMBUR COLONY YUVAK MANDAL
approached us for permission to translate and publish the KITs.

As the KIT is a part of the patented literature of BALAVIDYALAYA permission

was given with certain conditions. DHVANI PARENT KIT II in Marati was
published and released on 15th August 2013. KIT I is in the process of being
published. The sale of the KITs is a non-commercial project of CCYM. It is
sold to schools at a nominal price and to the parents at a subsidized rate.
The Commissioner for Disabilities, Maharashtra has suggested to all the Special
Schools for the hearing impaired children in Maharashtra that has Marati as the
medium to procure the KITs and use them to empower the family members of
their students.
We record our appreciation of CCYM and Hashu Advani College of Special
Education for their initiative in taking the DHVANI PARENT KITS to the Marati
Speaking homes in the state of Maharashtra.
PARTICIPATION IN SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS:
A true teacher is a constant learner. Participating in Seminars, Symposiums and
Workshops help teachers in updating their knowledge and skills.
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During the last week of July 2013, Dr. Valli Annamalai the Honorary Principal
of the school had the honour of taking part in the Listening and Spoken
Language Symposium conducted by the Alexander Graham Bell
Association for the Deaf in Los Angeles.
Dr. Valli Annamalai presented a paper on The DHVANI Literacy Programme
for young deaf children. It was well received by Special Educators, Audiologists
and parents from all over the world who attended the International Convention.

ADVANCED BIONICS
Dr. Valli Annamalai & Dr. Meera
Suresh visited the Advanced Bionics.
The Professionals and Surgeons
explained about the latest techniques
developed in the area of Cochlear
Implants. They were taken round the
factory and shown the different
stages of the manufacturing of the
implants. The process of the surgical
implantation was also demonstrated. They had an interaction with the staff of
Advanced Bionics and a few candidates who have had Advanced Bionics
Implants.
JOHN TRACY CLINIC
Dr. Valli Annamalai & Dr. Meera Suresh
visited John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles
US. They went round the Clinic and had
an interaction with the staff of John Tracy
on the methodology and programs
offered.
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JEAN WEINGARTEN PENINSULA ORAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

IN SAN FRANCISCO
On the 23rd of July Dr. Meera Suresh
visited Jean Weingarten Peninsula Oral
School for the Deaf along with Mrs.
Priya Dharan the sister of one of our
Alumnus. She went round the school
and watched the school at work. She
spoke to the educators and management
of the school. It was a good opportunity
where two successful models were
discussed.
APEX FOUNDATION VIRGINIA:
During the first week of August 2013
Dr. Meera Suresh, gave a Lecture
Demonstration with a Video
Presentation on DHVANI Methodology
of Balavidyalaya at the Apex
Foundation, Virginia US.
Apex Foundation is one of the leading
Computer firms maintaining the data
base of many hospitals and corporate companies in US.
One of our alumnus Mr. Ram Narayan Prasad is working as a Software
Developer and Trouble Shooter at Apex and has been instrumental in motivating
Apex to become an annual donor of BALAVIDYALAYA.
It was an honour to BALAVIDYALAYA as the Lecture Demonstration with
Video Presentation was attended by the staff of Apex as well as the ENT doctors,
Pediatricians and Audiologists of the John Hopkins Hospital, one of their clients.
The lecture was followed by a fruitful discussion with the participants.
STAFF OF BALAVIDYALAYA AS
VISITING FACULTY:
Tagore Medical College, Chennai were
interested in knowing about the Early
Intervention of children with hearing
impairment. In March 2013 Dr. Meera
Suresh, Hony Vice- Principal addressed the
students and staff of the Medical College
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and discussed on the importance of Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention

services.
In October 2013 Dr. Meera Suresh addressed the members of Rotary Club of
Adyar and spoke on Reaching out infants and young children with hearing
impairment. The club members were from different fields and creating
awareness on the importance of Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention is one
of the missions of Balavidyalaya.
VISITS BY DIGNITORIES:

Maj, Gen (Retd) Ian Cardozo

VSM, AVSM Chairman,
Rehabilitation Council of
India visited the school in
November 2013. He watched
the children of the school
and complemented the
Management for taking the
leading step in Early
Intervention.
Mr. Ganesh Murthy from
ASHA FOR EDUCATION New York US visited the school and watched the
activities. He was highly impressed
on the verbal language skills of the
students.
Ms. Dagmar Hamennova a Speech
therapist, working as a teacher of
Complex needs from Prague, Czech
Republic, Ms.Shabnam Fathima &
Ms. Janani Jeyaraman from Med
El India visited the school and
watched the activities. They also
had an interaction with the staff of
the school.
Dr. Nancy Marlin, Dr. Murugappa Madavan Professors of San Diego State
University, and Management students from San Diego, US and PSG Coimbatore
visited the school and watched a presentation on the school.
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VISIT & ADDRESS BY ALUMUS:

Alumnus Ramnarayan Prasad, the trouble shooter of the computers in Apex
Incorporation Ltd, Virginia US visited the school in July 2013.
He went round the school, spent time with the children and teachers. He
addressed a gathering of the parents of the children. He shared with the parents
the need for a disciplined approach in handling young children. He reiterated
that the discipline Balavidyalaya brought in him has made him a hard and
persevering worker and has enabled him to do his best in his mainstream school,
college and the workplace and brought success in all his endeavours.
PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH:
Ms. Priyadarshini Sridharan and Ms. Abhinaya Vijayaraghavan, students of PG
diploma in Journalism from Asian College of Journalism watched the school at
work and videoed the activities of the school as part of their research work on
linguistic acquisition of young children with hearing impairment attending Early
intervention services.
Mrs. Monica Sathyanaraya a 2nd year Post Graduate student in Speech Pathology
and Audiology in SRMC spent time with Dr. Meera Suresh and collected
information on the DHVANI Methodology as part of her desertion thesis.
VISITS BY WELL WISHERS, TRAINEE TEACHERS & STUDENTS
FROM COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS:
As a pioneer in successful Early Intervention, BALAVIDYALAYA attracts
academicians and student teachers. They watch the school at work. An
Orientation is given to them on the DHVANI Language Scheme followed by a
discussion session when they get their doubts cleared.
During 2013-14 we had the visit of the following well wishers:
Dr. Balasubramaniam a Pediatrician from the US.
3rd year students of medicine Ms. Sandhya and Ms. Raveena watched the
school at work. Sandhya is the first cousin of one of our alumnus Mr.
Karthik Viyajanandam.
Ms. Sri Devi Public Relations Manager of Tagore Medical College Chennai.
They spent a whole day in school and observed its functioning.
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Trainee teachers from Training Institutions and students of regular schools and
colleges who visisted during 2013-14 is as follows:
Ali Yavar Jung national Institute for Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai
Eastern Regional Centre of NIHH, Kolkatta
Southern Regional Centre of NIHH, Hyderabad
Little Flower Convent, Chennai
Indian Public School, Chennai.
IGNOU
Madras ENT Research Foundation (MERF) Chennai.
Madras Medical Mission.
CELEBRATIONS AT SCHOOL:
Celebrations break the
monotony of school activities.
The school celebrated
Independence Day, Vinayaka
Chathurthi, Navarathri,
Deepavali, Childrens Day,
Christmas, and Republic Day.
Teachers Day was celebrated
on 5th September. The Inner
Wheel Club of Adyar visited
the school on the Teachers
Day. An Orientation was
given to them on the
philosophy
of
Early
Intervention followed at
school.
The Inner Wheel Club of
Adyar also participated in the
Childrens Day Celebrations
at school. They brought
batteries and gifts for all the
children and enjoyed the
games with them.
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We place on record our sincere appreciation and thanks to the members of the
Inner Wheel Club of Adyar for their continued interest in our activities.
FIELD VISITS AND
EXCURSIONS:
The infants and young children
in the Early Intervention
Programme were taken on an
Excursion to the Cow Farm in
the premises of one of the well
wishers of the school.
The babies watched the cows
being fed, given a bath and
milked. The parents of the
children were also taken along
and the teachers guided the
parents on providing useful
language to the children during
the outing.
The students of the Preschool
were taken on an Excursion to
Guindy childrens Park. The
children enjoyed watching the
animals and birds in the Park.
On both occasions the children
were taken in the FUN BUS
provided free by
Ashok
Leyland. The children enjoyed
their ride in the Fun Bus. We
take this opportunity to thank
Ashok Leyland for providing us
the Fun Bus.
The teachers went for an
excursion to a farm. They had a
good time playing games.
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VOLUNTEER HELP:
Mrs. Uma Srinivasan, a home maker living in the locality continues to offer her
voluntary services in the classrooms as a Teacher Assistant and in the Library.
GRANT IN AID FROM THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE &
EMPOWERMENT:
The school continues to get an annual grant from the Ministry of Social Justice
& Empowerment, Government of India under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Scheme.
The grant covers a part of the expenses of the salary for the staff and
contingencies. The rest of the expenses are met by the Management.
KIRTHANA SUBASH & ASHA FOR EDUCATION:
Kirthana Subhash a high school
student in US visits Balavidyalaya
for internship during her summer
vacations when she visits Chennai
with her parents.
She has taken a keen interest in the
activities of the school and this
year she took up a fund raising for
the school. She spoke about the
Balavidyalaya to the members of
the foundation ASHA FOR EDUCATION, New York. This resulted in the visit
of Mr. Ganesh Murthy a member of ASHA in the month of August. Kirthana
then organized a WALK to raise funds. We have received a donation of Rs. 1.1
lakh as the first installment. We record our appreciation and thanks to Kirthana
Subhash for her involvement in our cause and her helping attitude.
CONCLUSION:
This academic year has been a fruitful one. On this happy occasion, we rededicate
ourselves to our chosen cause and seek the blessings of the Almighty to give us
strength and direction to continue our mission and provide help to the children
and their families break the barrier of silence.

Let us help children with hearing impairment

LISTEN FROM INFANCY AND TALK FOR A LIFE TIME.
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