Arushi

What Arushi does

Arushi is a Bhopal-based not-for-profit organization founded in 1989/1992 that operates comprehensive programs for people with disabilities across India. The organization produces audio books in DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) format, runs Braille transcription services in Hindi and English, and operates a computer accessibility centre equipped with text-to-speech and screen reading software. Core programs include the Navnidh Hassomal Lakhani Ability Development Centre (described as India's first and only completely disabled-friendly building, operating entirely on solar power), therapy units offering physiotherapy, occupational, speech, and audio-verbal therapy, vocational training in handicrafts, the Koshish Montessori pre-school, the Taleem Democratic School, and the Project Umeed biodegradable sanitary napkin production unit employing women with disabilities. The organization also runs a toll-free Disability Helpline (1800-233-4397) operational since 2008 and has sensitized over 300,000 government school teachers in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The organization is volunteer-led with over 1,000 volunteers and 30+ special educators and therapists, generating revenue through a mix of tax-exempt donations under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, corporate CSR partnerships (Indian Oil, LIC, Yes Bank, SBI, Amway), international institutional funding (UNICEF, SightSavers International, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Embassy of Ireland, Niwano Peace Foundation, Dorabji Tata Trust), and modest product sales of assistive devices, audio books, posters, and Project Umeed sanitary napkins via vending machines at Bhopal and Gandhinagar railway stations. Arushi's go-to-market relies on flagship events such as the Blind Challenge Car Rally (recognized by the Limca Book of Records), Mumbai Marathon participation, Ek Saal Ek Taal Annual Day, and Kavita Baisakhi Poetry Competition, supplemented by accessibility audit partnerships with the Archaeological Survey of India, Indian Railways, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Arushi was empanelled in 2015 as one of 18 agencies by the Government of India under the Accessible India Campaign.

Name

Arushi

Legal name

Arushi Society

Website

https://arushi-india.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Arushi is a Bhopal-based not-for-profit organization providing audio book production, Braille transcription, therapy, vocational training, inclusive education, and accessibility advocacy services for people with disabilities across India, operating through volunteer-led programs and government and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Rehabilitation

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (611710), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), AT Funding, Procurement & Compliance Support (IEP/504 Documentation) (EDAKAIAJ), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN), Academic Accommodations & Access Planning (ADA/504) (EDALAGAA)

Keywords

• Disability rehabilitation services
• Inclusive education programs
• Assistive devices sales
• Accessibility audit services
• Vocational training for disabled

Headquarters

HQ city

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Arushi receives donations from individuals and organizations. Donations to Arushi are exempt from 50% tax under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. The organization accepts sponsorships for children and programs.
2. Product Sales: Sale of extension counter devices for visually impaired (Interpoint Slates, Wooden Slates, Pocket Frames, Styluses, Braille Scales, Signature Guides), recreational items (Chess Boards, Playing Cards, Cricket Balls), and educational materials (Abacus, Taylor Frames). Also sells audio books, coffee table books, and disability awareness posters.
3. CSR and Institutional Funding: Partnership with corporates under Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, along with support from international organizations like UNICEF, SightSavers International, Leonard Cheshire Disability, and government bodies.
4. Project Umeed - Sanitary Napkin Production: Production and sale of biodegradable sanitary napkins manufactured by women with disabilities and from underprivileged backgrounds. Vending machines installed at Bhopal and Gandhinagar railway stations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Arushi is a Bhopal-based not-for-profit society that delivers disability rehabilitation, inclusive education, and accessibility advocacy services for people across all disability types, with special focus on the underprivileged. Its primary offerings include a DAISY-format audio book recording studio and library, Braille transcription in Hindi and English, computer and internet training with screen-reading software, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, vocational training, and sensitisation workshops. It also produces assistive devices, disability awareness posters, and biodegradable sanitary napkins (Project Umeed), and conducts access audits for government buildings, monuments, and railway stations.

Product overview

Arushi is a Bhopal-based not-for-profit organization that offers a comprehensive suite of services for people with disabilities, centered around its Navnidh Hassomal Lakhani Ability Development Centre. The core offerings include an Audio Book Library and Recording Studio that produces DAISY-format audio content distributed through Sugamya Pustakalay, Braille Transcription Services, and Computer/Internet Training with assistive technology. Educational programs include Koshish Montessori School for pre-school readiness, Taleem Democratic School combining academics with vocational skills, and vocational training for handicrafts. The organization operates Project Umeed for biodegradable sanitary napkin production and Mitti Ma for plant nursery skills. Support services include a Disability Helpline (1800-233-4397), Access Audits for barrier-free environments, Sensitisation Workshops, and comprehensive Therapy Units. Products sold include Extension Counter Devices and Assistive Aids, disability awareness posters created with Gulzar Sa'ab, and coffee table books documenting their work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Koshish: A pre-school at Arushi where children under 5 with disabilities who are not enrolled in schools are equipped with basic school readiness skills, so they can be admitted into regular schools at the earliest.
• Project Umeed
• Taleem
• Mitti Ma
• Navnidh Hassomal Lakhani Ability Development Centre

Products and services

• DAISY Audio Book Library and Recording Studio
• Braille Transcription Services
• Koshish Montessori Pre-School
• Project Umeed Sanitary Napkin Production Employment-generation project producing biodegradable sanitary napkins manufactured by women with disabilities and women from underprivileged backgrounds. Approximately 500 napkins produced daily and distributed via vending machines at Bhopal and Gandhinagar railway stations in collaboration with Indian Railways.
• Taleem Democratic School Free democratic education program integrating academic classes with practical skills including organic farming, fishery, dairy farming, animal husbandry, horticulture, computer skills, music, sports, dance, and theatre — children drive their own learning.
• Computer and Internet Training Centre Training centre equipped with text-to-speech and screen reading software enabling visually impaired individuals to use computers and access the internet. Provides basic computer literacy education and need-based training programs free of cost.
• Disability Helpline (1800-233-4397) Toll-free helpline providing information on disability-related issues and facilitating resolution of difficulties with schools, colleges, and organisations across India. Operates with support from the Department of Social Justice, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and handles approximately 100 calls daily.
• Access Audit Services Accessibility audit services for buildings and public spaces including evaluations of ramps, door dimensions, signage, and barrier-free features. Arushi is one of 18 agencies empanelled by the Government of India under the Accessible India Campaign, with audits conducted for archaeological monuments, railway stations, banks, and government buildings.
• Therapy Unit (Physiotherapy, Sensory Integration, Audio-Verbal, Speech, Occupational) Rehabilitation centre offering advanced physiotherapy, sensory integration, audio-verbal, speech and occupational therapy by trained professionals for children with orthopaedic problems, developmental delay, polio, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
• Vocational Training Unit
• Sensitisation and Orientation Workshops Periodic orientation workshops covering government policy awareness, rights education, legal provisions, and capacity building for teachers on disability-specific needs — delivered to public functionaries, civil service trainees, community workers, NGOs and the general public.
• Assistive Devices (Extension Counter Devices) Range of assistive devices for visually impaired sold at unit prices from Rs.5 to Rs.220: Interpoint Slates, Wooden Slates, Pocket Frames, Plastic Styluses, Bull Head Styluses, Signature Guides, Abacus, Measuring Tactile Tape, Braille Scales, Taylor Frames, Chess Boards, Playing Cards, and Folding Sticks. Distribution in partnership with National Institute of the Visually Handicapped, Dehradun.
• Disability Awareness Posters (with Gulzar) Posters spreading awareness about disability inclusion, with captions by poet Gulzar and photography by Zishaan A. Latif. Translated into multiple Indian languages and installed at railway stations and on trains across India.
• Arushi Coffee Table Book Coffee table book documenting Arushi's work and impact in the disability sector, available for purchase through the organisation's website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ beneficiaries benefited from audio books
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Government of Madhya PradeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment support for disability helpline, sensitisation programs, and advocacy initiatives in the state.
• Indian RailwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaking railway stations (Bhopal, Habibganj) disabled-friendly with Braille signage, tactile pathways, and vending machines for sanitary napkins.
• Archaeological Survey of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaking monuments accessible to disabled across India including Taj Mahal, Sanchi Stupas, and others. Training ASI staff on disability sensitisation.
• UNICEFflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on disabled-friendly toilet construction in schools and sensitisation programs.
• SightSavers InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership supporting programs for visually impaired and people with disabilities.
• Leonard Cheshire Disability (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational disability organization partnership, uses Arushi's posters in 54 countries.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSensitisation workshops for civil service graduates to lobby for disability rights nationally.
• RCVP Noronha Academy of AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular sensitisation of Madhya Pradesh government officials on disability issues.
• Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity building programs for teachers in collaboration with UNICEF and other agencies.
• Bhoj Open UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeacher training and sensitisation programs in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• Sahayog MicrofinanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in development initiatives.
• DAISY Forum of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArushi is a founder member of consortium of 90 organizations working on audio and accessible eText format for visually impaired.
• AADI (Spastics Society of India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with spastics society for disability-related initiatives.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled: Bangalore-based NGO providing education, rehabilitation, and livelihood support for people with disabilities. Comparable comprehensive service model (education, vocational training, assistive tech) and similar Indian non-profit funding structure.
• Sense International (India): Indian NGO supporting people with deafblindness and multiple disabilities through education, therapy, and livelihood programs. Highly comparable to Arushi's therapy unit, vocational training, and inclusive education focus.
• AADI (Spastics Society of India): Mumbai-based NGO supporting people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities through therapy and education. Arushi lists AADI as a partner. Comparable therapy and special education focus, though serving a narrower disability segment.
• National Association for the Blind (NAB) India: One of India's largest NGOs serving visually impaired persons through education, training, and rehabilitation. Directly comparable to Arushi's audio library, Braille, and rehabilitation offerings, though operating at much larger scale across multiple cities.
• Mobility India: Bangalore-based NGO providing assistive devices, rehabilitation, and disability services. Comparable to Arushi's assistive device sales (Braille slates, scales, etc.) and therapy unit, with similar non-profit funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Leonard Cheshire Disability: UK-based global disability INGO with programs across 54+ countries. Arushi is a partner and supplies its awareness posters to Leonard Cheshire. Comparable in disability inclusion focus, though Leonard Cheshire is far larger and operates internationally.
• Perkins India / Perkins School for the Blind: Global leader in services for the blind with India programs. Comparable focus on assistive learning tools, Braille, and inclusive education for visually impaired, though Perkins operates at much greater scale and brand recognition globally.
• Sightsavers International (India): Global disability-focused INGO with India operations supporting visually impaired programs. Directly comparable mission; Arushi even partners with Sightsavers, but Sightsavers operates at significantly larger funding scale across multiple countries.

Others

• DAISY Forum of India: Consortium of 90 organizations (Arushi is a founder member) producing accessible reading material in DAISY format. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem entity whose members include potential peers and collaborators in the accessible content space.

Emerging players

• Humanity Foundation: Indian non-profit working on disability inclusion, accessibility, and livelihoods. Comparable to Arushi's community-based rehabilitation and barrier-free environment advocacy, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arushi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arushi