Preface
The Society for Welfare of the Handicapped (Regd.) has been managing the Patiala School for the Deaf and the Patiala School for the Blind since 1967, and the Patiala School for the Deaf-Blind since 2011. The schools have moved from their old location at Amar Ashram to their new modern building in village Saifdipur, behind Punjabi University, Patiala. Located on 2 acres of land in beautiful surroundings, the schools feature five grand, five-story buildings, including separate academic blocks for deaf and blind children, a hostel for deaf and blind girls and boys, and a modern dining hall, kitchen, and other modern facilities. Currently, we have a total of 480 students, with 400 living in a free hostel.
In the near future, the school will provide education to 400 deaf and 150 blind children, including both boys and girls. The Society provides free education to deaf and blind children from 16 states in India, and the Society runs entirely on donations. The Society meets all its expenses through donations in cash and kind.
How can you help?
- Sponsor education, hostel, uniforms, books for deaf or blind children – Rs 1,800 per month or Rs 20,000 per year (per child)
- Sponsor/share the joy of serving food/refreshments to 480 deaf and blind children and others. Breakfast costs ₹6,000. Lunch and Dinner cost ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 per meal.
- Donate ration, flour, rice, pulses, ghee, sugar or other daily use items.
- Become our monthly donor to the cause of the deaf and blind (any amount). Donations can also be collected by the United States.
- Donate Books/Stationery/Uniforms/Medicines/Educational Special Needs
- Celebrate all your happy occasions with deaf and blind children
- Encourage your children, relatives, friends and students to interact with deaf and blind people
- Learn Indian sign language and Braille
- Deaf and Blind Children are eager to interact with you
- Do volunteer work in schools.
Most of our children come from poor families and villages that cannot afford education. Our goal is to provide them with quality education and hostels. The schools run from grades Pre Nursery to 12. Vocational training is then provided. We request you to visit the schools and see for yourself. Seeing is believing and appreciating.
1. Donations in rupees can be deposited in the account of “Society for Welfare of the Handicapped Registered” State Bank of India, Sai Market Branch, Patiala, Account No. 55076882917, Branch Code 50453, and MICR Code 147002040, IFS Code SBIN0050453.
2. Donations in foreign currency can be deposited from anywhere directly into State Bank of India, Main Branch, New Delhi, Account No. 40278965204, Swift Code SBININBB104.
3. No donation is too small for us. Please donate generously. Deaf and blind children will be forever grateful.
4. The Society has received the Best NGO Award from the President of India in 2015 and Best NGO Award from the Government of Punjab in 2014.
Salient features of the Society
It always starts small. It is the vision and the dream that make the dream come true.
- Handicapped Welfare Society is 58 years old and it manages Patiala School for the Deaf, Patiala School for the Blind, Patiala School for the DeafBlind , Patiala Early Intervention Centre for Deaf Infants (latest project).
- The only institution in India providing education to the deaf, blind, deaf-blind and early intervention. The school is from Pre Nursery to Class 12 and thereafter plans to provide vocational training.
- For the past 58 years, all students have been provided with free residential special education. The total enrollment is 480, of which 400 students live in the hostel. The school is co-educational and offers boarding for both girls and boys.
- The only NGO in India to be awarded the National Best NGO Award twice by the President of India in Special Child Care and Special Education for the Disabled.
- Finances are managed through donations and charities. Government grants only cover 25 to 35% of expenditure.
- 1.36 lakh sq ft of modern infrastructure on 4 acres of land.
- Latest technology has been used to impart education. All the classrooms are smart classes.
- Latest Assistive Technology Devices for the Blind School.
- Integrated special education includes personality and character development, sports activities, physical and mental fitness, and cultural activities.