PUNE, 20 August 2025: The treatment and counselling centre for persons with disabilities and special children at Divyang Park, Balewadi, is receiving an encouraging response. Launched in June by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Social Development Department, the centre has already treated more than 130 citizens in just two months.
Earlier, disabled citizens and families of special children had to seek therapies like physiotherapy, counselling, and speech therapy at private hospitals, often at high costs. To address this gap, the civic body decided to start a dedicated facility within Divyang Park, making therapies accessible and affordable under one roof.
The centre provides a wide range of services, including paediatric neurological consultations, psychological assessments, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, genetic consultation, sensory integration therapy, and special education with skill development. Counselling sessions are also conducted individually and in groups for both patients and their families.
Run by the Umang Institute of Autism and Multidisability Research Centre, which had earlier implemented similar services in Latur, the facility now sees more than 10 visitors daily. The number is steadily rising as awareness spreads among families in Pune, where the disabled population is estimated at around 25,000 to 30,000.
Chief Social Development Officer of PMC, Ramdas Chavan, said the centre, though new, is gradually reaching those in need. He noted that citizens are increasingly availing counselling and therapies, which is helping make their lives easier and healthier.
