Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind

What Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind does

Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind (HKIDB) is a Mumbai-based registered NGO and charitable trust, founded in 1977, that provides education, rehabilitation, and vocational services for children with deafness, deafblindness, and Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI). Its service portfolio spans early intervention (ages 0–6), formal K–Std. X education using the Maharashtra S.S.C. Board curriculum, the first RCI-recognized two-year Diploma in Special Education (Deafblindness) in South East Asia, and vocational programs including India's first NDLM digital literacy center for Persons with Disabilities, a 3D Animation course, and a Computerized Mini Braille Press.

Technology is assistive rather than proprietary AI: HKIDB deploys electronic braille displays, screen readers, Power Brailler, Braille Embosser, Tiger Advantage, and Mountbatten Brailler devices, alongside tactile educational materials produced by trained Deaf adults. The institute operates six facilities across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Karjat (Maharashtra), Mysore (Karnataka), and Churu (Rajasthan), including residential hostels and the co-branded HKIDB-Aditya Birla School.

HKIDB's revenue model is donation-dependent: child sponsorship at Rs. 6,500/month per MDVI child, supplemented by corporate CSR (Aditya Birla Group, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley), individual donations (80G tax-exempt), foreign contributions (FCRA-registered), printing services revenue, and vocational product sales (candles, paper bags, jute bags). The beneficiary base is approximately 200 students served by 49 staff. Governance is provided by a board of trustees led by Founder Trustee Mr. Sudit K. Parekh, with recognition including the Anne Sullivan International Medal (1991), National Presidential Award (1997), and Global Visionary Award (2014).

Name

Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind

Legal name

Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind

Website

https://hkidb-mumbai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HKIDB is a Mumbai-based NGO founded in 1977 providing education, rehabilitation, and vocational training for deaf, deafblind, and MDVI children (ages 0–18) through six facilities across India, supported by donations, child sponsorships, and corporate CSR partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Disability Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (6117), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB), AT Implementation, Coaching & Professional Development (Teachers/Staff) (EDAKAIAI), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Deafblind education programs
• Vocational rehabilitation training
• Teacher training disability
• Early intervention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual and corporate donations, with child sponsorship at Rs. 6,500/month. Donations are tax-exempt under Section 80G of Income Tax Act.
2. Printing Services Revenue: The printing press undertakes print work for envelopes, bill books, brochures, newsletters which helps sustain the vocational program.
3. Vocational Product Sales: Items made by students (candles, paper bags, jute bags, tailoring products) sold at exhibitions to generate revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind (HKIDB) provides education, vocational training, and rehabilitation services for Deaf, Deafblind, and children with Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI). The institute delivers early intervention (ages 0-6), formal school education (kindergarten to Std. X), a Diploma in Special Education (Deafblindness) teacher training program, and vocational training including digital literacy, 3D animation, Braille press operations, and gift article making. Services are offered through multiple facilities in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Karjat, Mysore, and Churu, with residential hostel facilities for students.

Product overview

Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind is a premier NGO providing education, training, and rehabilitation services for Deaf, Deafblind, and children with Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI). Founded in 1977 with just 2 students and 3 teachers, the organization has grown to serve over 200 students. The service portfolio comprises Early Intervention (ages 0-6), formal Education Services (both Deaf and MDVI programs from kindergarten to Std. X), the Diploma in Special Education (Deafblindness) teacher training program recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India, and Vocational Training & Rehabilitation including Digital Literacy (NDLM), Fine Arts & 3D Animation, Braille Press and Printing, and Gift Article Making. The organization operates multiple facilities including the Aditya Birla School in Navi Mumbai and the Surti's Skill Development Centre in Karjat. Services are delivered through specialized programs that develop both academic and functional skills to enable independence and mainstream societal integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HKIDB-Surti's Skill Development and Rehabilitation Centre: Skill development and rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities located in Karjat, Maharashtra.

Products and services

• Early Intervention Program Educational and developmental support program for young children from birth to six years with developmental disabilities or delays. Provides playway learning, multi-sensory intervention, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and adapted equipment and materials to support global development of at-risk infants and toddlers.
• Education Services for Deaf Formal schooling from kindergarten to Std. X for Deaf children aged 3-18 years, following the Maharashtra S.S.C. Board curriculum with Hindi, Marathi, and English as mediums of instruction. Includes modified curriculum covering tailoring, computer education, and hair & beauty.
• Education Services for MDVI Individually modified education program for children aged 7-18 years with Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI) including Deafblindness. Curriculum focuses on personal hygiene, daily living activities, mobility, community outings, money management, and functional development tailored to each child's developmental and cognitive level.
• Diploma in Special Education (Deafblindness) Two-year teacher training program with specialization in Deafblindness, first of its kind in South East Asia and recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India. Trains special educators to teach and communicate with children who have Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment.
• Digital Literacy Program (NDLM) Computer education program using assistive technology including electronic braille display and screen reader for MDVI children. Operates a National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) centre for Persons with Disabilities, the first of its kind in India.
• Fine Arts & 3D Animation Program Two-year vocational program launched in 2012 for hearing impaired individuals in computer graphics and 3D animation. Curriculum designed in partnership with an animation studio which also provides trained teachers and employs graduates who complete the program successfully.
• Computerized Mini Braille Press and Printing Services Vocational training and production unit where Deaf adults are trained in tactile graphic designing for Braille materials. Also undertakes screen and offset printing work for envelopes, bill books, brochures, and newsletters to sustain the vocational program.
• Gift Article Making Training Vocational training in tailoring, candle making, paper bag and jute bag production, envelope making, tray and frame crafting, and dried candied food products using solar power. Products are sold at exhibitions to generate revenue and build sustainable livelihoods.
• Rehabilitation and Employment Placement Program ensuring viable livelihood options through employment placement in Retail, Hospitality, Beauty & Wellness, and IT/ITES sectors. Leverages a network of well-wishers and professionals to secure job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Four Deafblind children cleared Std. X examinations on computers without human support using assistive technology
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Aditya Birla GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is named HKIDB-Aditya Birla School for Deaf & Deafblind, indicating a significant partnership. Aditya Birla Group is involved in various CSR and community initiatives.
• Animation Studio (Partner for 3D Animation Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with an animation studio for designing the course curriculum, providing trained teachers as well as employing students who successfully complete the program.
• Corporate SupportersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious corporate supporters sponsor students in MDVI section, sponsor teacher trainees, provide employment opportunities for PwD, sponsor vocational training units, and host exhibitions of products made by students.
• Rehabilitation Council of IndiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe teacher training program (Diploma in Special Education - Deafblindness) is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sense International India: India-focused non-profit working specifically with deafblind people and people with multi-sensory impairment, providing education, advocacy, and rehabilitation. Directly comparable in mission and beneficiary population to HKIDB.

Broad incumbents

• Sightsavers India: Large international non-profit operating in India focused on avoidable blindness, disability inclusion, and education for the visually impaired. Comparable in mission scope (visual disability, inclusive education) and donor-driven funding model, but with a much broader programmatic footprint.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic U.S.-based non-profit school and international educator for the blind and deafblind. Comparable as a globally recognized pioneer institution delivering education, AT, and teacher training for visually impaired and deafblind learners.
• National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD): Government of India national institute for visual disability education, rehabilitation, and teacher training. Comparable to HKIDB's MDVI and visual-impairment focus, but operating as a much larger, federally mandated institution.
• Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (AYJNISHD): Government of India autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for hearing and speech disability. Comparable in its national mandate for hearing-impaired education and teacher training, though at a much larger scale and breadth than HKIDB.
• National Association for the Blind (NAB), India: Long-established pan-India non-profit serving people with visual impairment through education, rehabilitation, and employment programs. HKIDB's own Member Secretary (Mr. Deepak Razdan) also serves as Treasurer at NAB, evidencing direct organizational overlap and comparability.

Regional players

• Helen Keller International: Global non-profit named after the same namesake, focused on vision and nutrition. While thematic overlap with HKIDB is high in name and disability mission, HKI's programmatic focus on blindness prevention and nutrition diverges from HKIDB's education/rehabilitation core.
• Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech: U.S.-based non-profit schools specializing in education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with additional disabilities. Comparable to HKIDB's deaf education program and teacher-training model, though operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HKIDB_Mumbai
• Facebookfacebook.com/HKIDB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helen-keller-institute-for-deaf-&-deafblind

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind