Community IE project was designed to address the special education needs of students with disabilities admitted in main stream rural government schools.
Capacity building of government school teachers to understand the different types of disability, their special needs, constraints and specific approaches, enabling their participation and avoiding school dropouts.

A pilot project was designed to address the above core issues, the locations selected was the bordering taluks and districts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. designed to improve access to education and health. The project aimed to provide educational resources, scholarships, and mentoring to help these children achieve academic success.
Which also included and holistic approach to work with the families of the disabled children and adults. Local education, health department and Panchayats. Many other activities in the community are too undertaken such as addressing ‘Swach Bharath mission, Menstrual health of girl students and women, Introducing skill and livelihood activities, introducing ‘alternation energy solutions and many more.
Objectives: Key activities

1. To retain and enroll students with various disabilities in main stream government schools.
2. Conduct teacher’s sensitization and capacity building exercises, enabling them understand the different types of disability and their constraints and methodology to overcome these barrier and encourage disabled students progress in their education.
3. Target beneficiaries: students with disabilities in the age group of 7-20 years, in various school selected from the Andhra Pradesh project areas.
4. Higher education: students with disabilities who were assisted to pursue their higher education in various collages and diploma institutes.
5. Addressing health issues and need of appropriate assistive devices: Students were referred to appropriate health services and were provided with appropriate assistive devices enabling them to attend schools independently and progress further.
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
6. Accessing social security benefits: Students, and adults with disabilities were assisted in accessing social security benefits such as UDID card, Health card and insurance amongst various other government entitlements.
7. Preparatory education centers: One center was established at Kodikonda, A.P. and Doddaballapura enabling young disabled studnets across both the bordering district attend, enhance their social participation and preparedness, before being integrating them into main stream schools.
8. Skill training and livelihood to parents of disabled children and adults with various disabilities.
9. Networking: Working with local health and education departments. Sensitizing them on the special needs of children and adults with disabilities.
10. Social security benefits: Assistance and guidance to children and adult with disabilities access benefits from various schemes from the state and central government. Viz: UDID card, disability pension, E-Shrama, Niramaya, Train Pass, Labor card, Birth certificate, Bus pass, Protsatha dana,  Vishwakrama, higher education grant.

Inclusive education program at bordering villages of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

Inclusive Education is a community based approach which involves working with varies stakeholders such as child, parent, adults in the community. Involving government schools and education departments, Health and other departments in order to ensure the objectives is achieved in 5 years. This is the 4th year of the project cycle:

Chilamatur madal A.P. (out of 26 mandals in Sathya sai district)
Covering 5 high schools 16 primary schools, 1 College and others in the community
Bagepalli taluka in Chikkaballapur district (total 6 taluka)
Covering 5 schools and 3 PU collage and others in the community
Total beneficiaries covered in 1st year 214
Total beneficiaries in the 2nd year 352
Total beneficiaries covered in 3rd year 752
Total beneficiaries covered in 4th year 874
 
Outcomes for the year 2024-25

2023-2024 Monitor the progression of the selected student, Attempt setting up of preparatory education center in government school, already enrolled students were supported to progress to the next level or class, many drops outs continued their education, moved from Primary to secondary and in many cases moved on to collages, in pursue of higher education. Overall community and peer support increases, majority of parents, teachers and community sensitized. 75% started accessing government schemes and entitlements. Livelihood and income generation activities for youths and adults with disabilities.

Out comes:

1. Over the course of four years, a total of 356 children with special needs (CWSN) were enrolled in 56 schools across Bagepalli, Chilamaturu, Gorentla, Lepakshi  The overall ratio of typically developing children to those with disabilities is 4:31
2. we conducted teacher training sessions, involving a total of 280 educators.
3. Curriculum adaptation: The extent to which the curriculum is adapted to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Availability of accessible learning materials (large print, audio etc)
   
   

   
   

   
   
4. Students participation and achievement: Participation in extracurricular activities, sports, and cultural events. Academic achievements’ levels (grades, test scores) of students with disabilities
5. Transition to higher education or employment: The transition rate of students with disabilities to higher education or gainful employment is a vital indicator of our program’s success. We celebrate the achievements of young adults with disabilities who have secured promising employment opportunities.
6. Health referrals: our team facilitated a total of 525 referrals for children. These referrals were directed to 11 different hospitals for assessment and further care. It’s important to note that many parents faced challenges in navigating the healthcare system. They were unsure about how to approach hospitals and lacked information about hospital specialties and addresses
7. Surgical Interventions: A total of 14 children underwent necessary operations after being referred to hospitals.
8. Aids and Appliances: We provided 290 individuals with aids and appliances to enhance their mobility and overall well-being.
9. Accessing social security programmes: 912 beneficiaries availed various social security schemes in the government sector.
10. Clinic based and mobile van therapy services benefitted 1500 plus youth and adults from various locations
11. Skill training and livelihood training to parents of disabled children: We introduced mushroom cultivation to 4 families, Garland making to 40 women from Bagepalli and A.P. region. Garland making has become an regular activity amongst 20 parents. Product sales reaches Bangalore and Doddaballapura market, from where they are sold across many states.

CASE STUDY: In the quiet village of Kambalapalli, a child named Kiran entered this world with a unique journey ahead. From birth, Kiran faced a profound disability that prevented him from sitting or walking. The days stretched into years, and still, Kiran’s tiny feet had not felt the earth beneath them.
Imagine the frustration and longing in Kiran’s eyes as he watched other children play, their laughter echoing through the village. School doors opened, but for Kiran, they remained closed. Admission was meaningless when the path to learning seemed insurmountable. An Surgery bridge between despair and possibility—changed Kiran’s life forever.
And now? Kiran’s laughter dances through the corridors of his home. His chores, once impossible, are tackled with determination. The school gates swing open, and Kiran steps inside, his heart racing with excitement. He sits among his peers, scribbling letters, discovering numbers, and dreaming of a future beyond the classroom.
Today, Kiran is a second-grader—a testament to resilience, love, and the unwavering commitment of the Samarthanam Trust. His journey continues, and with each step, he carries the hopes of a village, the joy of newfound mobility, and the promise of education.

 
Future plan FY 2023-24, 2024-25
Replicate activities in 2 mandal in A.P region
Doddaballapura
Chikkabalapura
Gorantala
Lepakshi
Chilamatur