Inclusivity by the book

The library includes picture books, graphic novels and toys, too

Since their inception in 2001, non-profit Ummeed Child Development Center has been committed to helping kids with development disabilities. Even during the lockdown, when the going got tough, they organised virtual events to keep them engaged. Now, they've launched a noble initiative within their office premises in Lower Parel - a library.

Jehanzeb Baldiwala

Set up in the approximately 100-sq ft open area before the entrance of the main centre, the concept was thought of before the lockdown. "Books offer so many possibilities to young people, in terms of learning and imagination. There are not many libraries that are friendly for children with disabilities and also a shortage of books that represent them," Jehanzeb Baldiwala, director, mental health services, says. To elucidate, she points out that it is crucial for titles to be placed in an accessible manner. "Usually, you can only see the spine of a book when browsing in a library. Here, we put them face-front so that children can see them easily. They may be more attracted to visuals rather than text. Even the height at which they are placed matters so that they can easily reach out for them," she adds.

The books have been curated by the Ummeed team and have been sourced from their own collection. Some titles have been donated by the parents of children they cater to as well. Baldiwala's favourites include Kayu's World Is Round by Lavanya Kapahi, Kanna Panna by Zai Whitaker, Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and Guthli Has Wings by Kanak Shashi.

Baldiwala informs that the required social-distancing and hygiene measures have been put into place; there are temperature checks, a sanitisation point at the entrance, social distancing while browsing, and when the borrowed books are returned, they are kept separately out of reach for seven days.

On: Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm
At: B, 1/62, Mantri Pride Building, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.
Email: Scheduling.team@ummeed.org (to book a slot)