Adapt Formerly The Spastics Society Of India

ADAPT is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that was set up in 1972 by Padmashree Dr Mithu Alur, working in the field of Community Rehabilitation and Disability. A parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy, and an educationist, Dr Mithu Alur started the services at a modest space in Colaba with just 3 students. At a time when India was struggling with providing basic primary education for its ‘able-bodied’ citizens, Dr Alur paved the way for educating the disabled - who were among the most marginalized and neglected sections of society. From pioneering special education services for persons with disability, moving children away from a medical hospital setting to a school environment, combining a transdisciplinary approach to education and skills development, medical treatment and socio-emotional training. ADAPT today is a leading voice in the nation for equal access to resources and opportunities for the disabled in ways that are similar to their non-disabled peers through policy changes and practices that include increased social participation and socially expected life roles and activities. Apart from its 4 centers in Mumbai, viz. Colaba, Bandra, Dharavi and Chembur, ADAPT has an all-India and Pan-Asian presence through its training programmes and support services for similar organizations in other parts of the world. Dr Alur’s Ph.D research entitled “Invisible Children-A Study of Policy Exclusion” examined the evolution of social and educational policy for disabled children in India and was the foundation for reorienting the organization’s ideology from special education to inclusive education. The organization has successfully demonstrated how children with disability could be educated in regular schools in the community and the country. ADAPT is among the 47 NGOs that have been declared to be among the ‘sanitized’ NGOs that can be supported by Companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility after being cleared by seven Ministries.