Sobti – Respite Care Centre – Wada, Nasik, Maharashtra

Parents of visually impaired children having other multiple disabilities have organized themselves and formed the organization “Sobti Parents Association.” The parents came together after a realization that individual efforts to bring up their children are going to be inadequate, they need to come together to help each other and it is essential that they create an organizational support system.

The children and youngsters are in the age group of 12 and 26 and all of them are visually impaired along with other handicaps such as Autism, Mental Retardation, Spasticity etc. The associations runs two Vocational Centres in Thane and in Andheri (Mumbai). Where children & youngsters are taught the skills like making artificial jewelry, food products, Ornamental Lamps, Greeting Cards etc. Another activity which the association has started is that of providing educational facilities for some children who can be educated in a formal education programme. All the teaching is done by a team of volunteers.

The organization is registered under Trust and Society’s Acts and has been issued 80G Certificate by the Income Tax Authorities. It has a permit under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Most of the members of the organization come from lower strata of the society and they do not have any financial or other means to help their children.