The Bombay Institute for the Deaf Mutes, Asia’s oldest institution for the differently abled, was founded in 1885 by the Apostolic Vicar Leo Meurin SJ on the initiative of Desire de Haerne (1804-1890), its goal has always been to help the differently abled lead a life of self-worth, respect and independence.

The school encourages students to take part in activities like awareness programmes and vocational training to facilitate their economic independence. Here, they can learn a trade like bookbinding, screen-printing, craft and needlework.

The school also provides parents with counselling and awareness programmes. It also educates immediate families of differently abled children about their needs and aspirations.

Courses are offered in three languages: English, Hindi and Marathi. In 2010, at the time of 125 years of the school, there are 145 students: 77 Hindus, 65 Muslims, and 3 Christians.

Sources:

• Mumbai’s Institute for the Deaf Mutes celebrates 125 years, 2010

Calcutta Deaf and Dumb School was established in 1893 and it is managed by the Tribal/Social Welfare Department. Jamininath Banerjee (1869-1921) was the first Principal who had an opportunity to be trained at the National College of Teachers of the Deaf, London, England and in Gallaudet College in USA. He was the pioneer in starting the Teacher Training Programme for the teachers of the deaf in India, and this served as the only training centre in our country. A C. Chatterjee & S. N. Banerjee succeeded as second and third principal of CDDS & Teacher Training Department. 

The school consists of Grades from 1 to 10. The school is Co-educational and it have an attached pre-primary section. The school is Non-Ashram type (Govt.) in nature and is not using school building as a shift-school. Bengali is the medium of instructions in this school.

The school has Private building. It has got 31 classrooms for instructional purposes. The school has a library and has 2000 books in its library. The school does not need ramp for disabled children to access classrooms. The school has no computers for teaching and learning purposes The school is not having a computer aided learning lab. 

February 1896 saw the establishment of Florence Swainson School for the Deaf at Palamcottai, South India, by Ms. Floerence Swainson, a missionary from Zenana Missionary Society, Church of England. In 1895, Ms. Swainson, working at Sarah Tucker Institution, Palayamkottai got the divine inspiration to start this ministry for the Deaf children in South India. Initially, She found a class with three Deaf children in the campus of Sarah Tucker Institution. Within a couple of years, she purchased the large site of 14 acres with the money gifted by her friends in England and shifted the school to the present campus. 

Following her, several other English Missionaries, Miss. Morgan & Rev. Charles Chittenden, with their dedication and devotion to this ministry spent out their lives for the growth of this Institution. The school got the first government recognition in 1901. The strength gradually grew up and it was upgraded into a High School in 1978. Again the school was upgraded to the Higher Secondary level in 1993. After the English Missionaries the Tirunelveli Diocese (TDTA) took up the responsibility of this pioneer Institution.

At present this institution caters to the educational, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of about 450 hearing.

Established in the year 1908, The School for the Deaf and Mute Society is one of the oldest organizations working in the field of education and rehabilitation of Persons with Hearing, Speech and Visual Impairment. One of our key abilities is to identify and channelize the strengths and potentials of our students and provide them the much needed exposure and opportunities for inclusion. Education and boarding facilities are made available, free of cost and emphasis is laid on early identification of disability and training of caregivers.  

Initiatives

• School for the Deaf

• School for the Blind

• Kalpana Balmandir

• ITI Training Centres 

• Training College for the Teachers of the Deaf

• Training College for the Teachers of the Blind

• Physiotherapy College for Persons with Visual Impairment

History

Late Shri Pranshankar Lallubhai Desai founded this institution in 1908 to educate his son, Late Shri Indurav Desai, who was a Person with Hearing Impairment. His second son, Late Shri Pandurav Desai, who was a lawyer professionally, was a constant support in the progress of this institute. The institute was initially managed by Shri Pranshakar himself, but a committee was later formed under the presidency of Sir Chinubhai Beronut. Eventually, this small group developed into a residential school of importance.

The school initially catered to the educational needs of Students with Hearing Impairment only. The School for the Blind was started in the year 1945, and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Morarjibhai Desai in 1952. Eventually, Teacher Training Colleges were started for educating and training teachers as Special Educators along with setting up of vocational training centres for Persons with Disabilities as well. In the past 43 years, 1974 to 2017, a total number of 28,095 students have received education from our institute.

Today, our institute has a strength of more than 600 students, hailing from different parts of the state, and education, boarding and lodging facilities are provided free of cost.