In partnership with Sightsavers International, CRTD commenced implementation of the three year Strengthening Networks for Eye Health and Advocacy (SNEHA) Project in February 2009, working in communities in the Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and Coonoor blocks of the Nilgiri District in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Our SNEHA project, which is a Comprehensive Eye Services (CES) project, is widening the reach and access of visually challenged persons both in terms of access to services as well as by increasing the level of awareness and acceptability within the larger community. The project will also facilitate people to actively seek better eye care services and enjoy a change in the quality of life through community development projects.

Through its focus on advocacy, and through the training and deployment of advocacy agents, this project will help:

• Promote the referral to and delivery of quality services to visually impaired persons, through nurtured collaborations with a variety of stakeholders;
• Facilitate entitlement to government / institutional subsidies and access to rehabilitation services for the identified population with irreversible eye problems;
• Support local Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) and Blind Peoples Organisations (BPOs) in making the services accessible to disabled persons and in promoting disease prevention.

Our project aims at multi-dimensional collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and individuals with core competencies in issues pertaining to disability.