Our Foundation
Hastha
We are a not-for-profit initiative empowering adults with autism and special needs to build meaningful lives through sustainable employment.
Your support helps them find purpose, pride and dignity.
Over 18 million people in India live with autism
Across India, adults with special needs and autism struggle with limited opportunities. In fact, 64% of persons with disabilities in India are not employed. Without meaningful employment, most are left dependent and overlooked, despite their potential. Studies highlight that adults with autism thrive in structured, repetitive tasks, but rarely get the chance to use these abilities.
We empower adults with special needs and autism to earn, grow, and thrive.
At Hastha Foundation, we harness the power of hand block printing to train and employ adults with special needs and autism. Hand block printing was chosen because of its structured, creative, and tactile nature.
We began by partnering with Gurukulam in 2019, a Chennai-based centre for children with special needs, setting up a hand block-printing unit on their premises. The results have been inspiring: students discovered both skill and joy through this art.
We have now established a dedicated hand block-printing unit where every beneficiary receives a monthly salary (not a stipend). This ensures not only skill development but also sustainable income. All funds raised go directly into running and expanding these hand block printing facilities.
Your support changes lives - one block at a time.
Thank you for your support. Your donation encourages and strengthens our mission to bridge the gap between education and livelihood for adults with autism and special needs. Our work is personal, hands-on, and deeply connected to each individual. We are proud of what we’ve achieved—and even more excited about what lies ahead.
To help you understand the impact of your contribution, here are a few statistics that reflect our work
These numbers are more than mere statistics. They reflect the hope that the Hastha Foundation offers, not just to its beneficiaries, but also to their parents and families, showing that adults with autism and special needs can develop skills, enjoy employment and move toward a secure, independent future. Through your generosity, we can scale this impact even further and reach many more individuals who deserve the same opportunity.
SUPPORT US
How you can help
Support Us
- Purchase our products or place bulk orders at hasthadesign.com
- Donate a block to Hastha’s Block by Block project.
- Attend our fundraising events and hand block printing workshops.
- Engage with us on social media @hasthahappiness.
Donate
- Sponsor the salary of a special needs adult artisan.
- Fund the setup of hand block printing units employing adults with special needs and autism.
UCO Bank Savings Account
#08440110147627
IFSC Code: UCBA0000844
Branch: Anna Salai
Collaborate with us
- Provide us with a stall at your event to showcase and sell our products.
- Invite us to conduct hand block printing workshops at your school, college, workplace and community gatherings.
- Collaborate with us for CSR or team-building workshops, as one-time events or long-term programs in your corporate organisation.
- Partner with us to establish hand block-printing units in special schools, enabling their students to train and earn a living.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between education and livelihood for adults with autism and special needs.
Founded in 2023, the Hastha Foundation has positively impacted over 30 adults with autism and special needs, helping them through sustainable employment. We believe every person has the right to contribute, earn with dignity, and live a fulfilling life. By offering gainful opportunities, we enable adults with special needs to move from dependence to self-reliance.
meet our Founder
Divya Vigneshwaran
Divya Vigneshwaran, founder of the Hastha Foundation, has over 25 years of experience in the garment industry, spanning roles as a merchandiser and designer. She is the creative force behind Hastha, a Chennai-based brand renowned for its hand block prints on clothing and accessories. Her passion for empowering adults with special needs led her to create the Hastha Foundation. Through training in hand block printing, she enables them to discover creativity, self-sufficiency, and pride in their work.
Divya has been recognised with the Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Mainstreaming Neurodivergence and the Heritage Craft Entrepreneur Award from Anna University.
Get in Touch with Us
Join us in building meaningful livelihoods for adults with autism and special needs.
“In 2019, when I was working with special children, I observed that schools focus only on vocational training. It doesn’t necessarily translate to gainful employment. As a parent myself, I wonder about my child’s future and career. Then I imagine the apprehensions and concerns of a special needs parent. That’s why our focus at the Hastha Foundation is providing sustainable employment for special needs adults. Above the age of 18, anyone with special needs is welcome to work with us.”