Ashayen began primarily for children with Cerebral Palsy, but we have broadened our scope over the years to include children with Intellectual disabilities, Down Syndrome, Autism and Multiple Disabilities. When it began, ours was the first centre of its kind in Uttar Pradesh. Seeing the progress our children make over the years has proved that “disability does not mean inability”.
For society and parents who considered children with handicaps as a burden, our students are an example that with proper training and rehabilitation, they can contribute to society. Ashayen, (which means “hopes” in Hindi) is a beacon for hundreds of families in Kanpur, a city that greatly lacks educational and other services for children with intellectual and physical disabilities.
When we started in 1990, we had just 21 children but to date, more than 4600 children have benefitted from our services. With growing awareness and support from foreign and local donors, we are fortunate to be serving more children and young adults each year. We have been providing services at minimal fees as most of our students come from underprivileged families. Our services, in education and physiotherapy, compare with the best available in India. Ashayen specializes in physiotherapy for those with cerebral palsy and is continually building expertise in handling other disabilities as well. The centre is a place where children from all strata of society, irrespective of race or religion, engage in learning together.
Looking forward, Ashayen strives to reach out to more of this underserved population and continually improve its services. The plan is to establish more sub-centres in neighbouring areas and create an effective network of outreach centres. The long-term vision is to offer its expertise to surrounding rural areas and smaller towns. Additionally, we would like to become a Resource institution that imparts training to caregivers, teachers and therapists.
With our long-term association, guidance and training from Courage Centre, Minneapolis, USA, the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP), Kolkata and Spastic Centre of Northern India (now called AADI), Ashayen Centre continues to incorporate better equipment and medicines to enable them to reach their maximum potential.
Registered Under: Societies Act 1860
National Trust, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Viklang Kalyan Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh
Regd. No. 6120(N) Income Tax Exemption 80G of 1961
Affiliated to Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP), Kolkata
Affiliated to Dhwani Foundation
