New initiatives and innovative thinking are markers of growth and development in any organization. Being a growing institution, NISH welcomes new initiatives and takes efforts to implement them within the framework of our goals and vision. These may involve technology implementation, adapting strategies or reviewing existing methods so that we meet the current needs. Some of the new initiatives being pursued currently are the following: 

• Innovative methods in the classrooms

• Student empowerment

• Industry partnership

• Proposes and introduces new programs and facilities to improve NISH overall

The ‘New Initiatives’ department has the following in focus

Major initiatives 

Training & Industry Placement (TIP) 

Training in different areas are arranged for the deaf and hard of hearing graduates. Volunteers and mentors from various organizations conduct mock interviews for the prospective candidates. Placement support is offered to the graduates of various programs. Recruitment drives are also arranged.

Volunteering and Internship Opportunity

NISH provides volunteering and internship opportunity for graduates and students from India or abroad. Volunteers are to fill up an application form and should have recommendations from two persons (preferably professors, employers or others who are closely involved). The volunteer application is available at the following link: http://nish.ac.in/others/downloads. The applications are reviewed and the applicant will be notified with two weeks.

Those who would like to apply for internship should apply through their institutions. There is an application form to be filled up to determine their suitability: http://nish.ac.in/others/downloads

The volunteers and interns will be placed in a department where they can be most productive and have a fruitful experience. The preference of the applicant will be given priority wherever possible. A supervisor will be assigned and a formal letter with the details will be issued as soon as the application is approved by the Executive Director.

Generally there is no restriction in time period for volunteer work as they can choose the time and period as per their convenience depending on the need of the department. Internship applications are generally considered for minimum of one month and may extend up to a semester.

Certificates are also issued following completion of the same

Observership

NISH offers opportunities to observe and study a particular process or activity, and enables the medical professionals, graduates and students to become more aware of disability, disability education, disability sciences, and of people living with a disability.

In-service training(IST)

NISH’s in-service training is meant to further participants’ understanding and knowledge of different teaching strategies to help improve learning outcomes of deaf and hard of hearing students, and to learn of the practices being followed at NISH to teach the Deaf students. The trainees will also get trained in the basics of Indian Sign Language. This program is mainly for those teachers working with Deaf students in other schools and colleges.

Training of trainers (ToT)

The objective of this training, similar to in-service training, is to focus on the briefing on different teaching strategies, practice at NISH, and Indian Sign Language.

NIDAS

NISH along with Directorate of Social Justice, Government of Kerala commenced the ‘first of its kind’ NISH Online Interactive Disability Awareness Seminar (NIDAS) in 2015. The purpose of NIDAS is to reach out across the globe to a large number of parents and caregivers, who are not aware of the implications of disability. This webinar series is simultaneously watched at all District Child Protection Units (DCPU) by audiences there via internet. Topics chosen are related to disabilities found commonly among children and adults. It is conducted on every third Saturday from 10.30am to 1pm. Public who register with NISH and collect URL can join the webinar and participate the interactive program from anywhere in the world. NIDAS has a website that can be accessed here: http://nidas.nish.ac.in/ and an application that can be downloaded here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bgi.nidasapp&hl=en.

NIMIS

NISH is conducting ‘first of its kind' series of talks for the Public on success stories of people who have overcome disabilities and have become role-models for others in society. These series will also have talks by pioneers and innovators who have gone beyond their call of duty to serve those with disabilities. The talks are open to the public. The series of talks is named “NISH Innovations Model – Inspiring Stories” and is conducted periodically.