Navnidh Hassomal Lakhani Ability Development Center for the differently-abled and disadvantaged sections of the society houses, under one roof, the best facilities and resources for the disabled that are available around the world.
This center that would cater to all types of disabilities, is constructed on a plot provided by the government in the heart of the city. The three-story building is India's first and only building totally disabled-friendly i.e. the building and the resources provided therein are completely accessible to people with any type of disability.
Facilities at the Center
The Center was inaugurated in December 2004 and is now nearing completion. Once completed, the center would have the following facilities:
Recording Studio
This state-of-the-art recording studio will be used for recording of study material onto cassette tapes and compact discs for the benefit of the visually impaired. This unit would have digital recorders, mixers, mikes, CD recorder and dubbing machines. The facilities may also be extended for provision of video recording. This, in addition to the benefits it
provides to the visually impaired, would also provide vocational placement to other disabled persons.
Audio Library
The Audio library would stack the vast collection of audiocassettes and compact discs containing study material required by the visually impaired. As of now, the collection of recorded study material stands at 15,000 hours. Recording is done in any language for any subject as per the requirement. This collection will be one of the largest of its kind in India. It will be a useful resource for the visually impaired living anywhere in the
country.
Library (Print, Large Print and Braille)
This library would contain books in print, large print and in Braille. This will be the country's first and largest resource center for Braille and other print material concerning disability-related issues.
Computer Room
This hi-tech computer center would have trained instructors to teach computers to the disabled. It will have special facilities for the visually impaired such as, the Screen Reader. The focus is to make the visually impaired children self-dependent and capable of accessing electronic text. This would increase their placement opportunities. Future plans for this computer center include development of talking websites.
Classrooms
The classrooms will be utilized to develop school readiness skills among young children with disabilities coming from deprived sections of society. School going children would use it after school hours for their special academic needs. Sensitization, awareness and capacity building programs for teachers, community workers and NGOs can also be
organized in these classrooms.
Therapy Unit
Advanced physiotherapy by trained and experienced physiotherapist would be provided at the center itself. Children with orthopedic problems, mainly polio and cerebral palsy will be examined and provided therapy.
Vocational Training Unit
This room would contain equipment that would provide vocational training to the disabled. This will include equipment for motor winding, candle making, ceramics, pottery, greeting cards, block and screen-printing.
Common Room
This recreation or games room would serve the purpose of confidence building
and extending leisure activities among the disabled keeping in mind their special needs and requirements. Facilities such as board and indoor games, TV and music system would be provided for their recreational needs and to widen their vision of the world by keeping them abreast with news and happenings.
Shop
The shop, 'Angaan', would make Arushi self-sustainable, besides providing job opportunities to the disabled. Currently, Angaan sells simple products produced by the children and the volunteers. These activities bring about a feeling of self-worth in individuals and are an effective outlet for their creative skills.
Other Facilities
- Dining space and Kitchen for preparing the daily free lunch that is provided to all children at Arushi.
- Auditorium for organizing capacity-building programs, trainings, meetings and workshops. Also, for activities by children including story telling.
- Guest Rooms for visiting resource persons, faculty, other NGOs and people visiting Arushi. These will be helpful for those poor people who come from outside the town in need of resources or information for their disabled kin.
- Office for administrative purposes by the office staff.
- Garage for vehicles used to ferry children from schools, homes, for excursions, etc.
- Lifts and other special provisions to make the building completely accessible for the differently-abled - ramps, special tiles and handrails to name a few.
