Navjyoti Institute for Intellectual Disabilities

Navjyoti Institute for Intellectual Disabilities, commonly shortened to Navjyoti Institute, is a non-profit organisation based in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1983 by AAROH (Association for Advancement & Rehabilitation of Handicapped), a registered charitable society established by a group of committed citizens and parents of children with disabilities. The institute focuses on children and young adults with mental retardation, autism or multiple disabilities, and its stated vision is to elevate the quality of life of persons with disabilities so that they can live happy and meaningful lives as valued members of society. The institute operates several core programmes. Navjyoti Special School is described as a leading school for the intellectually disabled, offering a comprehensive range of services to its students. Navjyoti Wellness & Health is an integrated centre providing counselling, diagnostic and therapeutic services to children with learning and intellectual disabilities. AAROH TTC (Teachers Training Centre) seeks to create a growing pool of high-calibre special educators to support the inclusion of disabled children into the national mainstream and to spread awareness about the disability field in society. Navjyoti Institute is part of AAROH, which is recognised by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), and is registered with the National Trust. AAROH's first pilot project, Navjyoti Special School, began operations in 1983 with just four students in the rear garden of the founder's house. An integrated centre for diagnostic and therapeutic services was started in 1995, and the AAROH Teachers Training Centre was established in 2017. The organisation has received numerous awards and is supported by organisations such as the Bellini Foundation (USA), the National Institute of Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the Rotary Club Delhi, FabIndia Vasant Kunj, Delhi Kalyan Samiti (DKS) and the S J Jindal Trust. Donations to AAROH are eligible for exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961, and AAROH has FCRA approval to receive foreign donations. The institute also sells products made by its students and staff, including hampers, to support its work. Its leadership includes Mrs Asha Gupta as Director, Shweta Bhatt as Principal, Sumita Gupta as Wellness & Health Coordinator, and Rakesh Kumar as AAROH TTC Coordinator.

Navjyoti Institute for Intellectual Disabilities traces its origins to AAROH (Association for Advancement & Rehabilitation of Handicapped), a registered charitable society founded in 1983 by a few committed citizens and affected parents of disabled children. Among the founders were Late Air Vice Marshal S C Gupta (Retd), a former Director of Aeronautics at DRDO and an affected parent, and Mrs. Asha Gupta. AAROH was established with the objective of alleviating the suffering of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities such as mental retardation and autism. AAROH's first pilot project, Navjyoti School, was set up in 1983 in the rear garden of the founder's house with just four students. This small beginning grew into Navjyoti Special School, which today offers a comprehensive range of services to students with intellectual disabilities. In 1995, an integrated centre to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services was started, which became Navjyoti Wellness & Health. In 2017, AAROH Teachers Training Centre (AAROH TTC) was established to train special educators, addressing the need for high-calibre professionals in the field of special education. Over the years, AAROH has been recognised by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), and is registered with the National Trust. It is a grantee of the National Trust, a statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The organisation has received numerous awards and testimonials from parents. It is supported by various organisations including the Bellini Foundation (USA), National Institute of Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Rotary Club Delhi, FabIndia Vasant Kunj, Delhi Kalyan Samiti (DKS), and S J Jindal Trust. Donations to AAROH are eligible for exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961, and AAROH has FCRA approval to receive foreign donations. The institute continues to operate from Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, and remains active in its mission to elevate the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

• 2017

  AAROH Teachers Training Centre established to train special educators.

• 1995

  Integrated centre for diagnostic and therapeutic services started.

• 1983

  AAROH founded by Late Air Vice Marshal S C Gupta and Mrs. Asha Gupta; first pilot project Navjyoti School set up with four students.

A pioneering non-profit institution in the field of intellectual disability in India, recognised by government bodies and focused on education, therapy and inclusion.

• Navjyoti Special School

  A leading school for the intellectually disabled, offering a comprehensive range of services.

• Navjyoti Wellness & Health

  An integrated centre for counselling, diagnostic and therapeutic services for children with learning and intellectual disabilities.

• AAROH TTC

  Teachers Training Centre that seeks to create a pool of high-calibre special educators.

• Handmade products and hampers

  Products made by students and staff, sold to support the institute.

1. 1Navjyoti Institute official websitenavjyotiinstitute.com
2. 2About Us - Navjyoti Institutenavjyotiinstitute.com
3. 3Products - Navjyoti Institutenavjyotiinstitute.com
4. 4About AAROH - Navjyoti Institutenavjyotiinstitute.com
5. 5Wikidata entrywikidata.org