‘DISHA’ Early Intervention and School Readiness Programme

The DISHA Project is an important program aimed at offering early intervention and school readiness support to children with disabilities aged 0–10 years, in accordance with the National Trust Act. Through its centers, the project provides a range of specialized services such as therapy sessions, training programs, and family counseling, each designed to address the specific developmental needs of every child. At present, the center extends day-care support to 26 children with disabilities, of whom 23 belong to economically disadvantaged families. The primary objective of the project is to equip these children with the necessary skills for successful school integration while fostering inclusion and equal opportunities for all, irrespective of their financial circumstances. 

Age wise Beneficiaries  

3 Years to 6 Years			6+ years to 10 years			Total
Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
02	00	02	14	07	16	16	07	23

Disability wise no of Beneficiaries 

Cerebral Palsy			Intellectual Disability			Autism			Multiple Disabilities			Total
Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
14	05	19	02	02	04	00	00	00	00	00	00	16	07	23

 

“From Dependence to Determination – Bijan’s Journey of Hope through the DISHA Scheme.” 

Bijan Patra, a seven-year and eight-month-old boy from Kamalachak village under Uluberia (Rajapur) in Howrah district, was born on 9th February 2018 with a birth weight of 1.7 kg. At birth, he did not cry immediately though his body color appeared pink.  

After completing one year, his parents noticed developmental delays, and he was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Bijan lives in a joint family with his parents and an elder sister. His father, Utpal Patra, works as a farmer earning around ₹4,000 per month, while his mother, Malati Patra, is a homemaker. Due to his condition, Bijan was completely dependent on his mother for daily living activities such as toileting, eating, bathing, and dressing.  

When he was four years and four months old, his parents brought him to Asha Bhavan Centre, where he was enrolled under the DISHA Scheme on 25th June 2022 for therapy and early intervention support. Through regular physiotherapy, special education, and parental counseling, Bijan gradually showed remarkable improvement.  

He can now stand with support, walk with a walker for 10–15 minutes, write Bengali alphabets and numbers up to 50, and perform daily activities with partial independence. He now attends an upper nursery class in a regular school, can read, write, and follow instructions. His family and community are very happy with his progress and are thankful to Asha Bhavan Centre for their constant support and guidance toward Bijan’s development.