This program has launched in April 2025 with the support of Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative.
In Ballari district, about 7,000 children aged 0-9 have disabilities (2011 Census of India), with 58% facing speech, hearing, visual, or motor impairments.
In the year 2023-2024, Saadhya screened 4,000 children aged 0-8 across 13 grama panchayats in Hosapete Taluk, identifying 215 with disabilities.
Identify children between 0 and 8 years of age at the community level with various deformities (disabilities) and intervene to provide therapies, treatments, corrective surgeries, aids and appliances, and social security benefits.
With a growing number of children seeking services, the Saadhya Center plans to expand its offerings, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and communication skills support. This grant will enable the centre to continue its work and upgrade its facilities to reach and support more children effectively
Saadhya will establish subcentres in Kamalapura and Mariyammanahalli, offering early intervention services
As per experience, it is observed that the disability rate is increasing and there is no proper intervention for children in this geographical area for therapies, special education, aids, and appliances. Last year Saadhya started this program in Hosapete taluka, screened 4000 children between the age group 0 to 8 years, and found 215 children with various forms of disability. Hence, we would like to extend support to the entire Hosapete Taluka of Vijayanagara District and in the future to other Talukas and Districts. The early intervention program will act as the baseline, and since Saadhya already have some initial data, the subcentres will start functioning immediately to address the needs of these children..
Include details regarding the assessment of any previous grants, especially if the current proposal is a renewal.
Goal : The program aims to identify approximately 400 children aged 0 to 8 with disabilities at an early stage and guide their parents toward necessary treatments, therapies, and interventions. The focus will be on follow-up support, school readiness, and life skills to prepare children for mainstream schooling. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who require specialized care will be supported at Saadhya’s main centres or subcentres. The goal is to foster independence and equip children with special education, vocational skills, and cultural and sports development
Program, Purpose & Scale:
The program is to Screen 8000 plus children per year in Hosapete Taluka between the age group 0 to 8 years and identify a minimum of 400 children with different disabilities.
These Identified children will get the necessary support and training through this program.
Prepare children for mainstream schooling by providing school readiness programs, life skills, and follow-up support.
Foster independence in children with disabilities through special education, skill development, cultural activities, and sports, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
Provide specialized care and training for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Saadhya’s main centres or subcentres. Contribute to creating an inclusive society by integrating children with disabilities into the community and mainstream systems.
The Geographical scope is 15 Grama Panchayath, One Town Panchayat and 1 Municipalities in Hosapete Taluka of Vijayanagara District.
The Saadhya Trust is implementing a comprehensive program aimed at improving the lives of children with disabilities in Hosapete Taluka. Approximately 400 children with disabilities will be targeted, and the program will screen around 8,000 children across 15 Gram Panchayats, Town Panchayats, and Municipalities.
Early intervention will be a key component, with one early interventionist responsible for identifying 66 children with disabilities over a period of three years.
Screening will take place every Thursday at Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Government Hospitals, Anganwadi’s, and Primary Schools, with support from Asha Workers.
Medical and surgical support will be linked to government hospitals and the Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakrama (RBSK) scheme, with treatment facilitated through Niramaya insurance for intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The trust will also work to sensitize 600 Anganwadi and ASHA Workers and 800 parents in Hosapete Taluka about the available services and support for children with disabilities.
After six months of program initiation, Saadhya will establish subcentres in Kamalapura and Mariyammanahalli, offering early intervention, special education, school readiness programs, speech, physiotherapy, and occupational therapies, as well as nutritious food.
For children who are immobile or find it difficult to travel, home-based training will be provided by special educators and early interventionists.
Nutritious food, such as Jeeni malt or a similar product recommended by the Association of People with Disabilities (APD), will be provided both at the subcentres and for home-based children.
Therapy sessions will be conducted five days a week at the centre, with early interventionists offering home-based sessions twice a week for children who are unable to attend.
The program will focus on children with disabilities such as Global Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, and Multiple Disabilities. Furthermore, the trust will ensure that 100% of the children are enrolled in Social Security benefits, including Aadhar registration, Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards, pensions, Niramaya insurance, scholarships, and the appointment of exam scribes.
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) drive will assist people with disabilities of all ages in obtaining UDID cards, which will help them access various benefits. Through these efforts, Saadhya Trust aims to provide a holistic approach to supporting children with disabilities, improving their access to medical care, education, and social services.
Children with Cerebral palsy, Intellectual and developmental disability, Autism, and multiple disabilities will get intensive training to bring them to the mainstream by providing therapies and special education programs along with parental training. 50% (Approximately 200 children) of the children should move from the sub-centre to mainstream schools for academic learning, remaining 50% (approximately 200 children) of the children will be absorbed into Saadhya Residential Special School after three years.
Through third-party technical support and evaluation, the target will be assessed. Will be using the Goojan software to capture the data and these data will be made visible to the funding organization for checking the day-to-day updates.
Quality work is made sure by the founder of the organization. Any data required and surprise visits from the funding organization are welcomed. So far, the quality of work is appreciated by the public, parents, and officials. The admission in our school has increased drastically last 8 years.