I. About us

NISH is an autonomous organization registered as a society by the Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala. It is an ISO 9001-2015 certified institute and has been awarded the following accreditations:

• “Excellent” institute by the Rehabilitation Council of India
• ‘Grade A’ institute by NAAC.

NISH is a comprehensive multi-purpose institute focusing on the identification, intervention, rehabilitation and education of individuals with disabilities. Since its inception in 1997, NISH has made significant contributions for improving the quality of life of individuals with communication disorders and has taken a pioneering effort in implementing various programs for the disabled population across the state. NISH hosts a unique inclusive campus which has students and staff with diverse abilities

II. Our Vision

To be “An institution of excellence in education, research, and service; with an inclusive environment for people of all abilities to achieve their full potential.”

The range of services will be:

• Higher Education
• Preparation of professionals
• Research
• Policy formulation for services and rehabilitation

III.Our Mission

• Provide the best inclusive and integrated educational environment for PwD and people of all abilities, offering them access to higher education, to enable them to have successful and fulfilling lives.
• Create and prepare a pool of world-class professionals in select liberal arts, science and technology, and in disability studies and services: researchers, practitioners, educators, rehabilitators.
• Carry out cutting-edge research in disabilities: in prevention, screening and detection, early intervention, assistive technologies, education, rehabilitation, and integration into society.
• Provide prevention, screening and detection; plan and execute extension and outreach programs, and key intervention models in disability services on and off campus.

IV. Guiding Principles

1. Culture of Excellence:
   NISH will be one of the best institutions in Asia in higher education for people of all abilities, with cutting edge research, carefully designed programs and courses relevant to society.
2. Holistic Approach:
   NISH will work on the whole gamut of issues related to disabilities across the spectrum, from prevention to rehabilitation, from early intervention to higher education, helping PwD at every stage of their life.
3. Integration and Inclusion:
   NISH will be a truly integrated institution; here, the term “inclusion” will mean placing a student with disabilities in a regular classroom, and providing all the support to the students and teachers, so that the student with disabilities is included in all aspect of education, including classroom participation, sports, extracurricular activities and everything else.
4. Strength-based Approach:
   NISH will cater to students with varying abilities while upholding excellent academic standards, by offering flexibility in choosing courses and programs at various levels. It will have an overall focus of building on the abilities of PwD rather than focusing on their challenges and constraints.
5. Celebration of Diversity:
   NISH will celebrate diversity, with acceptance and respect for individuals of all abilities and of diverse backgrounds; it will not discriminate on the basis of gender, social standing or religious affiliation.
6. Enabling Environment:
   NISH will provide an enabling environment, where PwD will be provided with the necessary and specific accommodations, assistive technology, and support to perform alongside others.
7. Spirit of Enquiry:
   NISH will nurture the spirit of new thinking by bringing in experts to guide research and will collaborate with like-minded organizations, and universities for research and projects.
8. Empowering Environment:
   NISH will equip its graduates with the life skills and confidence required to become high performing fulfilled members of the society.
9. Catalyst of Change:
   NISH will have strong credentials to support policy development at the state and national level through its work on the whole gamut of issues related to disabilities: from prevention to rehabilitation, from early intervention to higher education.
10. Pioneering Spirit:
    NISH will serve as a model institution that will help to set standards in the country that are in similar fields and inspire them to emulate its quality and achievements.
11. Integrity and Professional Ethics:
    NISH will uphold the utmost integrity and professional ethics in all its activities.
12. Continuous Innovation:
    NISH will provide an open environment that will welcome new ideas, and by changing with the need of the times, it will be in a continuous process of evolution and transformation.

V. Citizens/Clients

Citizens referred here are those who avail the various services at NISH. Following is the list of citizens:

• Clients who need audiological evaluations and speech therapy
• Hearing impaired infants who need early intervention
• Children with neurodevelopmental disorders who need clinical sessions and skill development programs
• Parents of hearing-impaired children and those with neurodevelopmental disorders, and other clients who need guidance and counselling
• Hearing impaired clients and those with neurodevelopmental disorders who need assistive technology
• Typical students who want to pursue professional programs in rehabilitation
• Hearing impaired students who want to pursue undergraduate programs
• Parents of hearing-impaired children who want to pursue courses in Indian Sign Language

VI. Programs / Services offered at NISH

     A. Academic Programs

NISH offers courses for students who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing as well as professional training courses for students aspiring to serve the differently abled.

The academic programs offered by NISH include:

1. Higher Education Foundation Programme (HEFP)
2. Undergraduate programs for the hearing impaired – Degree (HI)
   1. Bachelor of Computer Science (HI)
   2. Bachelor of Fine Arts (HI)
   3. Bachelor of Commerce (HI)
3. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (ASLP)
   1. Bachelor of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology (BASLP)
   2. Master of Science in Audiology (M.Sc. Audiology)
4. Diploma in Indian Sign Language  Interpretation (DISLI)
5. Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (DECSE)
6. NISH Innovations Model – Training for the Inclusive Educator (NIM-TIE)

1. Higher Education Foundation Program (HEFP)

The Higher Education Foundation Program (HEFP) is a one-year foundation program which prepares students who have successfully completed their higher secondary education to be active participants in the enhancement of their own learning, as well as in their development and achievement as Degree students. Simultaneously, the training they receive over the one year better prepares students for the Degree Admission Competency Exam (DACE) in which they must achieve a passing score for admission to the Degree program.

2. Degree (HI)

Undergraduate programs in Bachelor of Computer Science (B. Sc. Computer Science), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) are offered at NISH exclusively for students with hearing impairment. The Degree (HI) courses at NISH are affiliated to the University of Kerala.

3. Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (ASLP)

To create trained professionals who are capable of addressing the needs of individuals with various communication and swallowing disorders, NISH runs undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. NISH aims to provide quality training for undergraduate (BASLP) and postgraduate (M.Sc. Audiology) students of the ASLP courses by integrating clinical and theoretical practice into their academic curriculum. The ASLP courses are affiliated to Kerala University and recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

4. Diploma in Indian Sign Language  Interpretation (DISLI)

DISLI is a diploma level course recognized by the RCI. Its primary goal is to prepare skilled and qualified personnel who can contribute to the field of Deaf education and rehabilitation. The course facilitates the acquisition of expertise in interpreting Indian Sign Language in verbal languages and vice versa. The DISLI graduates will work as interpreters in schools, colleges and other institutes where the Deaf population study and work, and will interpret wherever interpreting services are required.

5. Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (HI) (DECSE (HI))

A Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (DECSE) is a one-year diploma program approved by the RCI for generating professional support in the area of early intervention for children with Hearing Impairment. The course aims to generate quality teachers who could meet the challenges of the millennium for sustained development in children with hearing impairment in the age range from birth to six years.

6. NISH Innovations Model – Training for the Inclusive Educator (NIM-TIE)

NIM-TIE is a 15 week-long training program which aims to address the needs of teachers of the special population (with a focus on Deaf students and their education) and equip them with the requisite knowledge, skills and attributes to become efficient educators of students with disabilities. It has become a requirement that all new teaching staff recruited for the DHI program, successfully complete NIM-TIE prior to entering the classroom as a full-time teacher at NISH. A Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (DECSE) is a one-year diploma program approved by the RCI for generating professional support in the area of early intervention for children with Hearing Impairment. The course aims to generate quality teachers who could meet the challenges of the millennium for sustained development in children with hearing impairment in the age range from birth to six years.

      B. Clinical Services

NISH offers evaluations and (re) habilitation services in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Neurodevelopmental Sciences.

                 1. Audiology

The clinical units that function at under Audiology are:

• Hearing Screening Unit
• Amplification Unit
• Cochlear Implant Unit
• Early Intervention Program

                 2. Speech-Language Pathology

Under Speech-Language Pathology at NISH, the following units function:

• Speech and Language Therapeutics
• Specific Language Impairment Unit (SLI) Program
• Stuttering unit
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) unit

                 3. Neurodevelopmental Sciences (NDS)

The following are the clinical programs under the department of Neuro-Developmental Sciences

• Autism Intervention unit
• Cerebral Palsy (CP) unit
• Learning Disability (LD) unit

                 4. Allied Services

Allied services are essential for a multidisciplinary team approach towards the assessment and management of the disorders. This becomes essential due to the co-morbidity of hearing loss and speech-language disorders with other disorders.

Allied services offered at NISH include:

1. Psychology assessments, diagnostic services, intervention and counselling services
2. Physiotherapy
3. Occupational Therapy
4. ENT consultations

      C. Centre for Assistive Technology and Innovation (CATI):

This was the first Assistive Technology Center (ATC) in India and hence did not have any previous models to benefit from. The four functional areas of CATI are the following:

1. Operating an Assistive Technology Program
2. Awareness Creation and Training
3. AT Portal and Platform
4. Catalyzing R&D and Manufacturing of AT products

      D. New Initiatives

NISH undertakes new initiatives and takes efforts to implement them within the framework of our goals and vision. Some of the new initiatives being pursued currently are:

1. Training and Industry Placement (TIP)
   The main objective of the TIP Department is to help final year students of Bachelors, Masters and Diploma students to get job placements at various organizations, clinics, hospitals etc. in India and abroad
2. Volunteering and Internship opportunity
   NISH provides volunteering and internship opportunity for graduates and students from India or abroad. The volunteer application is available at the following link: http://nish.ac.in/others/downloads.
3. NISH Online Interactive Disability Awareness Seminar (NIDAS)
   Purpose of NIDAS is to reach out across the globe to a large number of parents and caregivers, who are not aware of the implications of disability. This webinar series is simultaneously watched at all District Child Protection Units (DCPU) by audiences there via the internet. Topics chosen are related to disabilities found commonly among children and adults. It is conducted on every third Saturday from 10.30am to 1 pm. The public who register with NISH and collect URL can join the webinar and participate in the interactive program from anywhere in the world.
4. NISH Innovations Model – Inspiring Stories (NIMIS)
   NISH is conducting a series of talks for the Public on success stories of people who have overcome disabilities and have become role models for others in society. This series will also have talks by pioneers and innovators who have gone beyond their call of duty to serve those with disabilities. The talks are open to the public. The talk is of one-hour duration from 9 am to 10 am.

VII. Service delivery – Point of contact

VIII. Date of review of citizens’ charter: 01.02.2018

IX. Complaints & Grievances

Complaints/grievances from the public are collected through the following modes:

• Service Feedback Form: Feedback forms are kept on the reception counter. Feedback is collected randomly from clients. Feedback, complaints and/or suggestions deposited in the suggestion box in the lobby is verified by the social worker on a weekly basis and complaints if any are reported to the concerned HoD. Feedback may also be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• There is provision to meet the Executive Director or to contact him in person by calling on his mobile.
• Complaint Register: Clients write complaints, if any, in the register kept on the table of the social worker. It is verified by the social worker on a weekly basis. Action taken is noted in the register.

X. Right to Information

In pursuance to the provisions of 'Right to Information Act, 2005', which came in to force with effect from 12 October 2005, the following personnel have been designated as Public Information Officer and Appellate Authority.

Public Information Officer      Ms Soja Oliver,

                                                                                          Administrative Officer

                                                                                          National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH)

                                                                                          Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

                                                                                          Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                                                                                          Phone: 0471 2944640

Appellate Authority                 Executive Director 

                                                                                           National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH)

                                                                                           Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

                                                                                           Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                                                                                           Phone: 0471 2944600