The mission of Sangamam Society for Inclusion in India (formerly Kids Inclusive Education Society) is to help children, especially those who are at risk or have special needs, to be accepted and successful in their schools and communities. We promote the philosophy of inclusion – that all children develop best when their experiences take place in a natural environment with peers who are reflective of the larger society.
Thus we establish inclusive education and intervention programs where children - with and without disabilities or other special needs - work, play, and learn together. In addition we train teachers, therapists, parents, and community members in strategies for working with the children and about the value of inclusion.
We also conduct research on ways to provide child intervention services-especially in the areas of autism, cross-cultural education, sensory integration, low-vision & blindness, Down syndrome, alternative communication, Cerebral Palsy, and inclusive education for all children.
Our Early Identification program conducts developmental screenings for community children so that disabilities or delays may be detected and addressed as early in life as possible to promote success.
From time to time we also host volunteer from other countries who wish to use their skills to support our work while discovering the culture and people of South India in a community. We welcome inquiries from those wishing to explore the possibility of serving as a volunteer docent or intern with any of our programs and projects. As we provide a fully individualized program, matching the skills and desires or the volunteer to the programs we provide, we are only able to accept a small number of individuals at any one time. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals with experience, skill, or education/training in the following areas: early childhood and elementary/primary education, speech and language pathology, physiology, occupational therapy, behavior management, social work and family training/empowerment, nursing and health education, vision support and training, autism intervention. We also accept application from those able to share skill in an artistic, cultural, or recreational area such as yoga, music, crafting, dance, photography, and related areas of educational enhancement. To find out more about such opportunities we ask you to email the Director (see below) with a letter of inquiry including your contact info, background experience, availability, and interest in volunteering. All applicants are individually considered and selected on an ongoing basis.
At present we are in the process of designing a full age-range, day and residential inclusion school for ages birth though about age 12. This facility will serve as both a school for the children as well as a model training site for teachers, therapists, and other interventionists. We hope to have this exciting new program fully open to student by June of 2011 but are starting the preschool and kindergarten classes during 2010.
Finally, we conduct outreach and education programs to enhance an understanding of the benefits of creating inclusive global communities where all members are supported and valued. This work we undertake in the knowledge that in a socially just society, all children are included in the life of their community – and that a community includes all.
Please join us in India, email us at
ssii@sangamamsociety.org or visit us online at www.sangamamsociety.org (currently under construction) to learn more or support the work of Sangamam Society for Inclusion.
