The Need
There is a lack of specialized care and education for Children With Disabilities (CWDs) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, particularly those from distressed and low-income backgrounds. These children often face neglect, abuse, exploitation, and due to limited access to resources, they struggle to receive the support necessary for their well-being, education, and long-term development.
Established in 2019, Aasraa’s Special Needs Center is the primary intervention to address the challenges faced by Children With Disabilities and developmental delays. These children are inducted from Aasraa’s partner schools and educational centers following a formal assessment. Others are referred to us through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Childline, often coming from vulnerable backgrounds where they have experienced neglect, abandonment, or abuse.
The Beneficiaries
Aasraa’s Special Needs Centre supports two groups of children: those enrolled in Aasraa’s projects or living in Dehradun’s slum communities, and resident children placed in Aasraa shelter homes by the Child Welfare Committee and Childline. The Centre caters to children aged 5–20 with disabilities such as Intellectual Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Visual and Aural Impairments, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Learning Disabilities, and more.Most children come from vulnerable, economically weaker families unable to afford specialized care.
The Approach
Our approach revolves around crafting a special intervention plan tailored to each child’s needs. All the activities, resources, services and interventions are curated to meet these needs. The intervention begins with:
- Identification of children with special needs and different learning abilities in Aasraa’s partner schools and the slum communities
- Regular engagement with stakeholders by staff to reach out to special needs children and their parents through parent-teacher meetings, assessments, workshops and home visits.
- Development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) upon consultation and feedback from medical professionals for each child.
- Provision of shelter home facility for Children With Disabilities who are orphaned, abandoned, and in need of a secure space.
6
years
200
children
Every success, no matter how small, is a victory for us. I feel honored to be part
of a program that ensures no child is left behind. It’s deeply rewarding to know
that we’re making a lasting impact on their education and self-esteem.
Every success, no matter how small, is a victory for us. I feel honored to be part of a program that ensures no child is left behind. It’s deeply rewarding to know that we’re making a lasting impact on their education and self-esteem.
