NAB is a one-of-a-kind organization with unique infrastructure in Bangalore and supplemental
units in Mysore, and rural areas. NAB's wide-ranging projects (screening camps, eye camps,
surgery, medicines and more) extend to the rural interiors of Karnataka.
NAB's mission is to champion the cause of the visually challenged in Karnataka and enable
them to live their lives confidently, independently and with dignity through economic
rehabilitation. Keeping this goal in mind, the Association positions itself as a trainer and
grooms visually challenged citizens ready to take up a host of jobs in different industries.
Our services for
the visually challenged include training programmes that equip them with confidence,
self-reliance and the skills necessary to earn a livelihood. We thus train them in
mobility, computer skills, communication and soft skills, Braille reading and writing,
competitive exam preparation, etc.
NAB is overseen by a Governing Council and Managing Committee, whose members comprise ex-students who have been absorbed into the training system.
Partially funded by the Karnataka Government and the Central Government, NAB -
Karnataka is mainly funded through donations from members of the public and the private
and public sectors. Donations are exempt from tax under Section 80G or 35AC of the
Income Tax Act of 1961.
Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya
To lead the visually challenged persons from darkness to light
Make the visually challenged equal members of society.
Understanding is the first step towards fighting a challenging or finding solutions. Let's take a look at
some basic facts regarding blindness - what causes it, the myths surrounding it, some simple tips,
preventive care, etc.
NAB-K is proud to be the recipient of
the NAB-ITCB Best Institution in Karnataka from the Government
of Karnataka and Best Instructor Award (Smt. Shobha) in 2017. We have also increased the number of Visually impaired beneficiaries served by NAB-K from 300 in 2016-2017 to 400 in 2017-2018.
Mr Srinivas joined NAB in 1986 as an employment officer and was promoted as the Chief Employment Officer. Since January 2007, he has been heading the organization as the CEO.
Ms. Shobha joined NAB in 1983 and has been working as Mobility Instructor / Social Counsellor since
then. She is a low vision expert and is the recipient of State Award.
Ms. Latha Kumari has been working at NAB as Mobility Instructor since 1987 imparting orientation and
mobility training .
Mr Mohan Naik joined NAB in 1988 as Mobility Instructor. He is also a Guest Lecturer / External Examiner for the
Special D.ed course of the Government of Karnataka.
Ms. Mitra joined NAB in 2001 as Computer Instructor and has 14 years of experience in teaching computer
usage to the visually impaired, both basics and advanced functions.
Mr Gopalakrishna joined NAB in 1984 as a Rural Development Officer and was promoted as
Project Supervisor and Project Manager. He is with the NAB team for 35 years.
Our institute is 1 acre in size, nestled in the homely neighbourhood of Jeevan Bhima nagar
Training programs all year round
Our Industrial Training centre for employment opportunities in blue collar jobs
Machine parts explained in Braille
Digital Literacy lab that consists of 20 computers that have NVDA/ Jaws, the screen reader software installed in all.
Coaching classes for competitive exams
Ladie’s hostel with 25 bunk beds
Men’s hostel has 41 bunk beds
Yoga classes every morning conducted for our Visually Impaired beneficiaries
"Before coming to NAB my mobility was very low. But after getting trained here, I am able to go anywhere I
want, independently. I also enjoyed the computer training I took here. I am now looking for a job."
- Pushpa, Beneficiaries/Student at NAB
"I first heard about NAB from my friends in 2003 and since then I have been wanting to join the NAB. After
taking the training here, I worked in the BPO sector and now I have come back to take the mobility training
and also refresh myself in computer training. I find that my confidence is building now. My plan now is to
join an IT company.
- Manjunatha, Beneficiaries/Student at NAB
"After having undergone training at the NAB, I feel very confident about managing on my own. My family is
also very happy. I am now looking for a job in an MNC. I have learnt Bharathnatyam, have given
performances and have done my graduation in journalism. I want to tell people that we don't want any
sympathy, only the right kind of support. Sometimes people, while trying to help us, only confuse us more.
That should not be the case."
- Bhagyasree, Beneficiaries/Student at NAB
"Before joining NAB I was very scared to even speak to anyone. But now after coming to NAB, I feel bold
and am happy that I'm learning new things like learning to use the computer. My plan now is to start my
own business in petroleum products."
- Roopa, Beneficiaries/Student at NAB
"After the training here, I feel I don't have to depend on others for everything. Earlier I used to work in a call
centre and now I want to get back to a job and pursue my passion, which is cricket. After joining here I
came to know that there is something called Cricket for the Blind. So I want to get trained in that."
- Santosh Kumar, Beneficiaries/Student at NAB
"Our students' families share feedback with us and tell us that the staff here are the most friendly,
compared to all other institutions. We don't make anyone wait. And although we are strict as instructors, we
encourage the students to talk freely with us. As a staff member, I have many wonderful memories here.
NAB has given me everything."
- Shobha K.N, Mobility Officer/Social Counsellor, Staff member, NAB
"Before becoming a trainer at NAB I used to have sympathy for the visually challenged. But now after
having had experience as a mobility trainer here, I know that what they need is empathy and not sympathy.
Here at NAB we have very good relationship with the students, who also discuss their problems with us.
Our aim here is to make the visually challenged become independent and come up in life and I am proud
that we help them achieve that."
- Latha Kumari, Mobility Officer, Staff member, NAB
"Before joining the NAB I hadn't met any blind person so it was very challenging when I was first joined the
training programme. But I soon realized that it was very satisfying to help the blind be independent. Once
we undergo training here at NAB, it gets easy to train the visually challenged. They are trained to do even
simple everyday grooming activities independently and that makes them very happy."
- Mohan B Naik, Staff member, NAB
"I am very proud happy to say that I worked with excellent management teams at the NAB-
Karnataka. I was sent to attend many national and international seminars and
conferences, which enriched my knowledge towards uplifting the visually challenged. I
worked with a fabulous, loving and understanding staff who always used to support me
whenever I took important administrative and training program decisions."
- Jaykumar Rao, Retired, Senior Mobility Officer, Staff member, NAB
