Santhigiri College is proud to aver its distinctiveness as rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (PwD). Rehabilitation of children with disabilities was started in 1988 on Santhigiri campus, since Persons with Disabilities (PwD)were identified to be one of the most forsaken sections in our society. Santhigiri College was started in 2002 primarily to offer higher education for the youth with disabilities. Today, we admit students with disabilities, providing them with scholarships and free hostel facilities.We also conduct CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) programs in 03 panchayaths. Santhigiri College runs a hostel for children and youth with disabilities. We also have a printing press, a software firm and a workshop for youth with disabilities. It is in this milieu that we have identified rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities as our distinctive feature.
We have stunning success stories of the passed-out students with disabilities from Santhigiri College. Today Santhigiri College ardently promotes the rehabilitation programs of PwD with great earnestness.
We always had more than 50 CwD in Santhigiri hostel. Santhigiri hostel gives special emphasis to fostering a family atmosphere in the hostel. The disabled children are given training for their integral growth and personality development. They receive medical treatment, artificial appliances, counseling, and training in daily living skills. They also get the opportunity to learn to cook, look after the pet animals and so on. Santhigiri hostel offers free boarding and lodging for all the inmates. Santhigiri College runs Santhigiri hostel meeting all its expenses.
Santhigiri Vocational Training Institute is marching forward with its basic objective of training students with disabilities in vocational courses like short-term computer courses, printing and book binding etc.
A one-year computer course is offered to differently able students. Special training is given to students with learning disabilities using scientifically developed German teaching materials. They also get a course completion certificate. They also will be given possible placements.
We are conducting CBR projects in 10 Panchayaths. As part of this project, we had more than 90 SHGs and 100 self-employment schemes. We have completed our novel project of Barrierfree housing for 250 persons with disabilities. Physiotherapy and speech therapy are conducted at the houses of the CwD. Our two health workers enthusiastically perform this service.
CASP is a unique program of Santhigiri College. We are supporting the education of 24 bright children from the poor families around the college.
Santhigiri started placement services for disabled persons. Many persons with disabilities are not able to detect the vacancies and job opportunities. Santhigiri hopes to employ several disabled persons through Santhigiri employment Exchange for the disabled persons. We have now placed 112 disabled persons in different parts of Kerala
This is another unique initiative of Santhigiri College. In this Matrimonial Data Bank, disabled persons and those non-disabled persons who wish to have a partner with a disability can register their names. Disability creates several hindrances and the Santhigiri Marriage Bureau will always be a helping hand in this issue.
We have started the printing programme as part of the reprographics unit of the college. Printing works is obtained from outside and inside and the unit functions like any other professional offset printer. The main aim of this unit is to create employment for the wheelchair users, since they are unable to reach, enter and use the work places they are often offered. Presently 26 are permanently employed in the Santhigiri Offset press.The entire profit generated in this unit is totally shared among the employees.
This is meant to give employment for persons with hearing disabilities. This unit undertakes orders for furniture for the schools and colleges, roofing for the houses and buildings, grills, gates etc.All the furniture like desks, benches, tables, pulpits needed for Santhigiri College if manufactured in this unit. They care for regular repair work. This unit manufactures waste bins, sign boards, notice boards and other items useful for schools, colleges, offices etc.
This is a software unit engaged in IT-based jobs. Projects are outsourced and the training section gives training for the students of Santhigiri College and a few other colleges in Idukki and Ernakulam districts. Santhisoft also undertakes product developments as per the demands. We have created websites for numerous institutions in and outside India. Santhisoft was established with the intention of creating employment for IT trained PwDs.
We have a well-equipped physiotherapy centre on the campus. This is mainly utilized by the inmates of Santhigiri hostel as well as PwD from the nearby areas. This is also used by the students for the relief of their certain physical ailments.
The entire campus of Santhigiri College is 100% barrier-free for wheelchair users.
The benefits are:
FULL PARTICIPATION AND EQUALITY IN SOCIAL LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT is our goal for persons with disabilities. We are confident that we are on this path to fulfill this ideal with great enthusiasm.
Vision: Persons with Disabilities attain the highest possible levels of well-being, ensuring full participation in social life and development.
Mission: Creating opportunities for persons with disabilities equal to those of the whole population having equal stake in the vibrations and developments taking place in the sociocultural and economic life.
OUR MOTTO: A Heart for the Handicapped Santhigiri College has been relentlessly and subtly striving to achieve the rehabilitation of children, youth and adults with disabilities with inmost joy during the past years, enthusing social responsibility in our students.