National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH)



The National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) at Dehradun is an apex body in the field of Education and Rehabilitation of the Visually Handicapped in India under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.The institute occupies 43 acres on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Highway. Autonomous in nature, it is considered to be the largest of its kind in Asia.

The National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) in Dehradun originated as St. Dunstan's hostel for the war-blinded in 1943. The Government of India took over the building on January 1, 1950 and renamed it as the 'Training Center for the Adult Blind' (Men). Later, the activities of the center in the field of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind became extensive and these were united under the umbrella of the National Center for the Blind in 1967.

1979 was an important year in the growth and development of beneficial services for the blind since the National Center for the Blind was elevated to the status of 'National Institute for the Visually Handicapped'.In 1982 the institute was granted autonomy by the Ministry of Welfare.

man Resource Development
  • Research and Development
  • Designing and Delivery of Model Services
  • Designing and Production of supportive devices
  • Production and circulation of books in Braille and audio forms
  • Education, Vocational Training and Rehabilitation services
  • Production of Educational, Computational, Mobility and recreational aids and appliances
  • Provision of consultancy services
  • The National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) of Dehradun is the most important center in the country for the education and training of the visually handicapped.



    Last Updated on 14 March 2013