The Spastics Society of India, established in 1972, is a voluntary organisation working for the rehabilitation of the disabled. At present, the society has 4 centres in Mumbai: the Centre for Special Education in Colaba, the National Centre for Cerebral Palsy in Bandra, the National Job Development Centre in Chembur and Karuna Sadan in Dharavi.

These centres provide aids and equipment (wheel chairs, special feeding and communication aids), special education, treatment and therapy (physio, occupational and speech), vocational training and guidance and counselling for children, young adults and their parents. Research into complex neurological conditions of cerebral palsy is also an important part of the society's activities.

The Society set up their first ever special school in India, for children with celebral palsy, at Colaba in 1973. The school provided education and treatment facilities under one roof, and commenced with three children - Malini, Farhan and Imtiaz.

The Society grew rapidly thereafter, starting a teacher training college, a training programme for therapists and a skills development unit - all at its site in Colaba. Nationally, the Society promoted the growth of services at Calcutta (1974), Delhi (1977), Bangalore (1980) and Chennai (1985).

To improve the quality of mobility aids available in the country, and particularly to focus on the needs of the user, the Society launched the Triumph Mobility Aids Centre at Chembur in 1989. Several user-friendly models of wheelchairs, buggies, rollators, etc have been developed, and are used at various centres.

Today, resource facilities for persons with cerebral palsy are available in more than half the states and union territories of India. The Society is proud of its achievements over the past 25 years, and looks forward to the new millennium, when it wishes to see every child with disability become part of the mainstream of Indian society.

Contact:

St John's United Services Club, Address: Opposite Afghan Church, Upper Colaba Road, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005, Phone: 215 0555 / 218 6813

National Centre for Cerebral Palsy, Address: K C Marg, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400 050, Phone: 644 3666 / 644 3688, Fax: 643 6848

Urban Health Centre, Address: 60 Feet Road, Dharavi, Mumbai, Phone: 407 4455

National Job Development Centre, Address: Sion-Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai - 400 071, Phone: 551 9413 / 557 8968, Fax: 556 6810