It is estimated that at least 3% of the world’s population are specially challenged children. This could be various types of disabilities ranging from single disability to multiple disabilities. India has a large undetermined population of persons with disabilities. These special children often found themselves in this state owing to a lack of awareness, to recognize early symptoms of disabilities, even by their parents.
Annai Special School in 1996, a group of committed social activists, professionals, and trained special educators of mentally handicapped children established the “Annai Special School”, in order to provide free educational and other support services to mentally retarded children from poor families.
India holds the largest blind population, who live in desperate physical and spiritual needs. Mission To The Blind is an expression of God’s love and concern for them.
The National Federation of the Blind came into existence in the year 1970 with the philosophy “Let the Blind Lead the Blind”. The objectives for which the Federation has been established include; to strive for equality of opportunity for the Blind in the field of Education, Training and Employment etc. The Federation is serving the blind community through its various Welfare programmes run by 51 branches and units through out the Country. It has strong membership of about 1, 00,000 and it is affiliated to World Blind Union.The National Federation of the Blind came into existence in the year 1970 with the philosophy “Let the Blind Lead the Blind”. The objectives for which the Federation has been established include; to strive for equality of opportunity for the Blind in the field of Education, Training and Employment etc. The Federation is serving the blind community through its various Welfare programmes run by 51 branches and units through out the Country. It has strong membership of about 1, 00,000 and it is affiliated to World Blind Union.
LOTUS runs a hostel for the poor, blind girls who are pursuing their higher studies in various city colleges. All the inmates of the hostel hail from very poor families in the small towns and villages of Tamilnadu, who after completing their schooling have come to Chennai driven by their desire to pursue their higher studies.
The Clarke School for the Deaf was founded in the year 1970 which was a dream initially started in a modest way in a small rented house and today has grown into a fully functional State Board affiliated school as well as an internationally recognized Institute serving persons with disabilities in various aspects.
The statistics are staggering! There are over 300,000 deaf children in India; the southern state of Tamil Nadu alone accounts for about 70,000. Whatever the accuracy of the figures, there is no denying the fact that India has one of the largest deaf populations in the world. There are only 47 deaf schools in the state which means that that the majority of speech and hearing impaired children get little or no formal education and are doomed to a dark future.
The fun fair is a platform for employees of corporate houses to spend time with persons with disabilities and to see the challenges they face on a daily basis.
MERF-ISH provides complete professional service to the clients with speech, language and hearing disorders with latest advanced technologies. It is the only institution providing Cochlear Implantation with Auditory Habilitation ‘under one roof’ under the able guidance of Dr. Mohan Kameswaran.. .
Arivalayam – is a school with a difference. It all began when the plight of a three year old child in a pre-primary school in BHEL Township came to the notice of the Management of the giant Public Sector Organisation Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The child was always seen isolated from the group and made no attempt to join in the fun and frolic of the other children. On further probing it was found that there were a number of such children in and around Township who required special education. The result was the establishment of Arivalayam in 1977 – A School for the Mentally Challenged children by the management of BHEL with technical support from CBM – Christophel Blinden Mission of Germany.