Resource directory for the Differently Abled

Despite forming a substantial proportion of our population, people with special needs and disabilities in India are still treated as unimportant citizens of this country. There is a gross lack of awareness about the resources needed, and also an acute shortage of the resources required to manage special needs. Seeking resources most relevant to the need of the family members of people with special needs, physical disabilities and/or members of the geriatric community, is an additional burden on already overwhelmed caregivers. They spend sizeable amounts of time and funds trying to find reliable, cost effective and convenient services that would best manage the needs of their loved ones.

Special Sources Foundation has created a unique online platform that aims to connect people with special needs (and their caregivers) to resources that would make their lives more manageable. Special sources is one of the first of its kind in India with all the information being provided on our website being fully verified and presented in a geographically relevant manner. Special Sources is all about connecting and empowering the special needs/disabilities community. This being said, it was only natural for the organisation to look towards members of the community it aims to benefit, as its most important stakeholders and partners.

CANDO is the resource generating team which has been hired by Special Sources to find, verify and list the resources most relevant to members of the special needs and disability community. They are a social enterprise that provides skills and employment to people living with disabilities. The team has been doing a stellar job for Special Sources, and it is one of our main objectives to add more members to the team to take its work pan India and thereby set an example by promoting the employment and integration of the differently abled into society.

The information pertinent to people with special needs and disabilities is scattered all over the web, ands is not contextual and does not have area-wise relevance for the people needing this information. Our work aims to develop Special Sources as a single source online platform where all information pertinent to individuals with special needs and disabilities will be brought together, verified and organised systematically, thereby making a range of options easily accessible to those who need it in a manner that is convenient, easy to navigate and comprehend.

The ultimate goal of Special Sources is to build a strong and vibrant special needs/disabilities community spread across the length and breadth of India by bringing all relevant resources under one roof, spreading learning and information in real time, helping people connect with their requirements and provide a diverse platform by building on people’s combined knowledge and skills. We hope that through our work, the cause of mainstreaming special needs will be promoted and people living with special needs, and their families will find it easier to integrate into everyday society.