The Rehabilitation Training Unit of the Hubli Hospital for the Handicapped (HHH) is a sheltered Training-cum-Production Workshop for the physically handicapped in general (originally started for the Leprosy patients only), producing sundry handicrafts.
The town of Hubli is situated on the Western edge of the Deccan Plateau in the South Indian State of Karnataka, 120 kms off the West –Coast and 624m above sea level, about 600kms south of Mumbai. The town has approx. 500 thousand inhabitants. It is a big railway junction and a cotton-trading center. From Hubli to the northeast spreads a vast drought endangered area with regular shortages.


  

"They Surge forward Undefterred"   (Physically challenged workers on their way to workshops)

Rehabilitation Training Unit has six sections for the disabled, located in diverse workshop buildings. The predominant needs of the patients who were referred by the HHH for rehabilitation have influenced the formation of the rehabilitation programme. RTU offers the much-needed succor to the castigated and homeless lots. Many families have found their homes. Many patients are now accepted by the society and lead a respected life.

Besides the five workshops, Paper Work, General Craft, Textile Printing, Carving and Carpentry, RTU has its major work force in the Home Industry. The basic objective of this programme is to encourage the cottage industry and to initiate the rehabilitation process from home and through social acceptance. The workers based in the Home Industry visit RTU once in a fortnight or in a month. They carry raw materials and work on the products at their homes.
Today more than 50 such self-employed workers live within a radius of 200kms around Hubli. About 35 workers living in Hubli town work in the workshops on daily wage or piece rate basis. Every year about 10 handicapped persons pass through our training programme.
Besides this RTU has a full fledged 2-Years Carpentry Course and 1-Year of Apprenticeship for the non-handicapped or only slightly disabled persons. Being a very professional course for furniture making, it consists of ¾ practical work and ¼ class-room teaching ( math, geometry, wood technology, drawing). There is, however, no provision of employment in the RTU for the trained carpentry trainees.

RTU has made provision for various welfare schemes for the workers, which have changed the lives of many. Some of the pioneering schemes are as follows: - 

Super-annuation Benefit – A handicapped worker having worked regularly for 10 years is eligible for super-annuation benefit. The pension program is tied up with LIC Jeevan Akshaya. The monthly benefit has been at a minimum of Rs.150/- and a maximum of Rs.500/- per month. 
Interest Free Housing Loan – A handicapped worker is eligible for a maximum of Rs.25,000/- as housing loan. It is allowed only for one house. 
Medical Cover – Free medical cover is given to all eligible workers. 
Other schemes are – Festival Advance, Marriage/Death ex-gratia payment, festival leave payment, and Training Distribution Fund.

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