Disha – A Special School For Special People

Long before Tare Zamen Par released and a larger cross-section of the Indian populous was familiarized with the needs of special children. Long before the media picked up on the same issue and paraded Aamir Khan as its poster boy. And long before it was seen as fashionable to associate with this worthy cause; one institution, pioneered by a visionary individual, supported by the large-heartedness of a empathetic business family, in an unsuspecting town, began nurturing these little children in its cosseting embrace. I give you India’s best school for special children – Disha!

Background
In a society that typically shuns and outcasts people with special needs, Disha began with the singular aim of providing a world where there’d be equal opportunities for all. Recognizing that children with special needs did not find place in regular school curriculum, and were also subjected to step-motherly treatment in society at large; Disha took it upon itself, to provide a holistic platform for the care and betterment of these children

Founded in 1995, beginnings were humble, with a total intake of 18 students. But that was far from deterring. In fact, Disha became Rajasthan’s first center to provide complete care under one roof, for people with Cerebral Palsy, Physical & Mental Challenges, and other neurological conditions!

Facilities Abound
Today Disha has emerged a flourishing institution that is a benchmark for Special Education in the country. Not only does it provide care and education to hundreds of children, more importantly, it is a beacon of hope to the parents and families of these students; who, until before coming into contact with Disha, had literally no ‘direction’ for their loved ones! Here are some of the facilities on offer:

Center for Special Education
At the Disha Center for Special Education, as many as 150 students are taken in each year. Their curriculum, academic and non-academic, is individually constructed by experts, taking into account the unique peculiarities of each special child. With a host of activities including sport, reading, academics, culture, and more; each child is groomed and made to realize his/her utmost potential.

Center for Work Training
Disha also acutely recognizes and understands that people with special needs may not necessarily assimilate in traditional work environments once their basic education is complete. Championing this, Disha’s Center for Work Training provides thorough pre-vocational training to students, in a wide variety of areas including office skills, computers, cookery, tailoring, pottery, arts and craft, printing and even silver jewelery!

Center for Teacher Training
In its bid to provide diverse services, Disha also runs its Center for Teacher Training. Here educators can take basic as well as advanced diplomas in caring for people with special needs, in approval and accordance with the Rehabilitation Council of India. Aside from this, the Center also prides itself on being an active advocate of Special Needs Education, by regularly organizing workshops and seminars

Center for Home Management
For those who are not from close to or within the city of Jaipur (which is where Disha is located), the Center for Home Management provides a comprehensive guidance & counseling service where parents, care givers, families, along with their children, can gain valuable insights into devising a scientifically charted way forward for the special person. Methodical curriculum and how to care for these persons at one’s homes, all of this is carefully arrived at and explained here. A core focus area for Disha.

Aside from the aforementioned facilities, Disha also has a very active Center for Research & Documentation that is constantly keeping abreast with all the developments in this area. Disha also boasts a modern and effective Center for Physiotherapy where more specific physical conditions are tended to by medical experts.

Above and beyond, perhaps Disha’s single largest asset is its building itself. A state-of-the-art sprawling creation that is tailor-made to suit every imaginable Special Need. From specially designed steps to classrooms, play areas; everything at Disha has been very minutely and painstakingly envisaged keeping a close watch on the exacting needs of special persons

Hope & Excellence
Disha, a shining example of hope and excellence. Of the fact that with a little awareness, sensitivity and passion, everyone can enjoy equal opportunity. For more information on this path-breaking institution, log on to www.dishafoundation.org

Supporting Disha will be the most fulfilling decision you ever made!

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

Related posts:

1. Boarding School – Have You Considered It For Your Child? It is a commonly held belief that a person’s mental make-up is fashioned in the formative years. Sure, we continue...