The United Nations marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Closer home, leading real estate development firm Embassy Group has lent its support to students with disabilities by backing Bengaluru-based non-profit Snehadeep Trust for the Disabled with Rs 10 lakh on an annual basis.
The funds would be used by the trust to provide food, accommodation and medical expenses for underprivileged students who are visually challenged, hearing impaired and physically challenged. A computer training programme will also be organised for visually-impaired students.
Snehadeep Trust for the Disabled was established in 1999 by three visually impaired graduates who had a strong desire to help people with disabilities experience life’s opportunities.
The trust aims to provide Braille sheets to blind students at computer training centres for the disabled in Bengaluru and Ranebennur, Karnataka.
The trust has two residential facilities where students stay and study. Textbooks are printed using a Braille Embosser Machine. Currently, there are 140 visually-impaired students who require books made with Braille sheets, which are quite expensive.The organization depends on donations from well-wishers and philanthropists for day to day expenses.
Visually Impaired students undergoing computer training at Snehadeep Trust. Embassy Group
Snehadeep has 52 children and four teachers under its Integrated Education scheme. Under this programme, the students are given computer training, taught English communication, leadership qualities, and enrolled for motivation and confidence building courses.
The trust also works toward finding suitable jobs for the students once they complete the course, in software companies as well as state government posts.
Embassy Group, headquartered in Bengaluru, began its operations in 1993 led by chairman and managing director Jitu Virwani.
The group’s other initiatives include supporting AMBA, an organisation that aims to develop employment skills for persons with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.
Embassy Group supports them with rental payments for one of their AMBA Certified Partner Centres for training and employment operations, at an average cost of Rs 10 lakh per year.
The real estate company has developed numerous spaces in commercial, residential, retail, hospitality and industrial warehouse sectors. The group’s operations span across Indian and international markets that include Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore, Serbia and Malaysia.