Keystone Institute India: A National Institute on Disability, Community, and Innovation

The Keystone Institute India (KII) is a national educational institute working toward the inclusion of all people in everyday life, and has been created through a collaborative partnership between Keystone Human Services International and The Hans Foundation. Through training and consultation, KII works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by bringing communities together and developing responsive community-based supports. The development of the Keystone Institute India is a step toward creating a society where people with disabilities are included, valued, and have access to full, rich, meaningful lives.

Content from this campaign

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Daniel Castellanos Becomes First Graduate of the Career & Life Studies Program at Millersville University
Who could ever have imagined this moment, given the 50 year struggle to assist people with intellectual disability to take their place at the community table in the United States? On May 7, 2016, Daniel Castellanos became the first graduate of Millersville University's Career & Life Studies program.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Colors in our Lives: Changing Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities
In her first blog post, Bindu Sengar, administrative coordinator for Keystone Institute India, addresses the attitudes of society toward people with disabilities. She writes, "It was an emotional moment for me when I met with such beautiful people, families, teachers, and professionals, and realized the poor treatment they have received at the hands of our society. They helped me to feel the pain they were going through – a pain brought on not by disability, but instead by the feeling of shame society lays onto people, and by the limited sorts of help families can find in their communities."

Diversity & Inclusion

Valued Roles: A Gift that Keeps on Giving
We can work towards the “good Indian life” for people who are vulnerable by focusing on helping people have social roles which are valued. Social roles which are typical and valued open up all kinds of doors for people – and seem to be the typical ways that most of us gain acceptance, belonging, personal growth, friendship, opportunities, and a good reputation.

Health & Healthcare

The Doctor Is In: From Menacizing to Medicalizing
Humans have struggled with the nature of mental disorder since at least the beginning of recorded time, and many of the powerful metaphors of such live on with unbelievably deep and strong roots – they just won’t give up their holds on our minds, whether consciously or unconsciously. Many contain truths and helpful ideas, but each also falls short of providing a clear way forward for how to think about this human condition that impacts all of humanity and each of us.

Health & Healthcare

Understand the Past to Create a Positive Future for People with Disabilities
What does the past mean for those of us trying to craft a positive future for people with disability? Understanding backwards, as Kierkegaard reminds us, creates the wisdom to move forward with a strong awareness of what we are moving away from, what we are moving towards, and what we are learning from the journey.

Diversity & Inclusion

Plus One: A New Team Member for Keystone Institute India
Bindu Sengar has recently joined Keystone Institute India as the administrative coordinator.

Health & Healthcare

Leaky Roofs Matter: A Powerful Metaphor for Human Services Organizations to Remember
Keystone Institute India, their partners, and other like-minded organizations are exploring the components of supporting people with disabilities to live full lives in the community in India. "Leaky Roofs Matter" is a powerful metaphor for the importance of addressing people's most pressing need first.

Health & Healthcare

How to Truly Meet the Needs of People with Disabilities and Families
When people show us that what we are giving them is not meeting their needs, we need to bend, change, listen, and do something different. Listen, observe, learn, respond.

Health & Healthcare

Partnerships Amplify Efforts Toward Inclusion in India
Partnership is an amplifier. It multiplies possibilities, stirs creativity, pools talents, and makes us able to accomplish more than any of us ever could on our own.

Health & Healthcare

Lessons from the First Weeks in India
Director Betsy Neuville reflects on her experiences as she and others work to establish the Keystone Institute India, an educational institute on disability, community, and innovation, strengthening the inclusion of people with disabilities in India.

More from Keystone Human Services

  1. Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community
    Susquehanna Service Dogs is one of 41 organizations participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Our goal is to raise $20,000—the...

  2. Susquehanna Service Dogs
    Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD) raises, trains, and places service dogs with children and adults with disabilities to assist them to become more...

  3. Support Increased Funding for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services in the Pennsylvania Budget
    For the first time in ten years, Pennsylvania’s proposed 2017-2018 budget includes rate increases for intellectual disability and autism services...

  4. Keystone Institute India: A National Institute on Disability, Community, and Innovation
    The Keystone Institute India (KII) is a national educational institute working toward the inclusion of all people in everyday life, and has been...

  5. Inclusive Employment
    Inclusive employment is a goal for working-age youth and adults with different abilities, including those with complex and significant needs who may...

  6. A Service Dog's Journey Begins: Support Eva
    Susquehanna Service Dogs’ new dog Eva has arrived in Harrisburg, PA from Guide Dogs Queensland in Australia. Eva is going to be the start of a new...

  7. International Assistance Dog Week
    International Assistance Dog Week (August 4-10) is a week dedicated to recognizing and honoring the work assistance dogs do to change people's lives...