India has over 50 million children with, or at the risk of, developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities can range from obvious conditions such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, to subtle ones such as learning disabilities and autism. Whether obvious or subtle, the child struggles to adapt at home, in the school or even with friends, and is often not able to articulate the daily challenges he or she faces. Early and skilled intervention tremendously helps such children adapt to their environment. Poverty related risk factors such as lack of stimulation, malnutrition and anemia are well-known to increase the risk of developmental disabilities. Thus, there is a crucial need to reach out early and wide. 

Ummeed, meaning ‘hope’, was set up in 2001 to help children with, or at risk of, developmental disabilities reach their full potential and be included in society. Our clinical facility provides diagnosis and therapy services to children and families. No child or family is ever turned down from help at Ummeed. Our training services help create skilled resources in the community (ranging from doctors to therapists to community workers) as local resources that children and their families can leverage.

Why should you support us? Unfortunately in India, only a handful of organizations offer services to children with developmental disabilities. This is primarily due to lack of resources and ignorance. As a not-for-profit organization, we depend on the generosity of individuals such as you to help us do more of what we do, and to go beyond.

How will we use your donation? Over 65% of Ummeed's therapy sessions are for children from low and middle income families. Your contribution will help fund these sessions.

 

What do you get in return? The joy of making a substantial difference in the quality of life for a child with a developmental disability! The satisfaction of contributing to a cause that is not a typically “popular” one! And a tax exemption receipt (we will send you this once the campaign ends). If you decide to make a contribution, do also talk to your friends about us and help us spread the word.

About Ummeed: Ummeed is considered a center-of-excellence in the field of child development and developmental disabilities. Our in-house team includes passionate and committed developmental pediatricians, autism intervention specialists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, mental health professionals, special educators, social workers and others (over 70 in all). Through our clinical facility located in Lower Parel, Mumbai, the Ummeed team provides direct clinical services to over 1,100 children each year through over 6,500 sessions. Since our inception, we have supported over 10,500 children through over 65,000 clinical sessions (diagnosis ranging from autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, learning disability, ADHD, and disorders in the speech, motor co-ordination, behavioural and emotional spectrum). Family-centred care is at the core of Ummeed’s therapeutic approach, i.e., the goal of interventions is not just to help the child, but also to help families feel empowered to help their little ones, determine resources for their child and take decisions for their child. Ummeed is also a key trainer for professionals, parents, community health workers, teachers and others, undertakes research relevant to the field of child development and disability and is an active voice in advocating for children with disabilities in India. 

Do come visit us and we will be happy to take you through our work!

Certifications: Give India, Charities Aid Foundation – India, Charities Aid Foundation – USA, Charities Aid Foundation – UK, Silicon Valley Foundation – USA, Boston Foundation – USA