WARDS believes that every child is special. WARDS is an organization for non-profit, providing support to individuals suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities and mental retardation, identified from various slums in Bangalore. In this endeavor to bridge the gap between these children and others in the same age group, WARDS has come a long way helping these children cast aside t
heir weaknesses and fight their way through life, without a trace of inhibition. The organization was registered in the year 1991 under the Societies registration Act of Karnataka. Various activities of the organization are planned and monitored by a committee, whose members are drawn from different walks of life. Presently, WARDS operates from a small setup in a civic amenity site in Jeevan Bima Nagar, Bangalore. Currently, around 35 children aged between 4 and 15 and a few adults are utilizing their services. WARDS has been started with a vision to promote understanding, acceptance, and full community inclusion for people with these challenges. While the challenges these kids experience last for a life, much can be done to help them enjoy life and participate in the society. The symptoms of these disabilities are treatable--there are many interventions that can make a significant difference. With the help from agencies and individuals, WARDS has the potential to translate their vision to reach a larger section of the disabled population in the society and can make a difference for these individuals who face heart-breaking challenges every moment of their lives. Wards is the brain child of Mr. C.M.Kathavarayan, a visually impaired person who started WARDS in the year 1992. He was born in a village called Gingee, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu on 15th June, 1949. He migrated to Bangalore when he was seven years old. When he was a child he once suffered from high fever and became totally blind due to the usage of local medicines. At the age of 10, he joined a blind school in Whitefield, Bangalore. He completed 10th grade in eight years. He continued his education and completed B.A, M.A and B.Ed. He specialised in teaching the blind (DTB) and worked as a high school teacher for the visually impaired. He taught teacher trainees for ten years. His desire to do some thing more for the physically challenged, CP and autistic individuals led him to take voluntary retirement in the year 2000 after serving 25 years teaching the visually impaired and start WARDS. Ever since he has striving hard to realize his dream. Future Directions
Extend rehabilitation services through community based program to the most deprived persons with disabilities in slum areas - provide assessment and treatment for these individuals to make them more independent, readapt and rebuild their lives. Restart our Out Reach program to support children with disabilities. Build and maintain a hostel for the individuals who find it very difficult to travel far to come to WARDS everyday. Add more programmes to assist more autistic individuals. Provide work for autistic individuals who have the ability to work so that they can support themselves. Provide transportation for kids so that they can attend school everyday.
