Volunteering & Placements
Volunteering and Placement Opportunities in India
Handi-Care Intl. (HCI) offers meaningful volunteering and placement opportunities in India that combine service, learning, and cultural exchange. Since 2004, HCI has enabled students and professionals to gain hands-on experience while making a lasting impact in the lives of people with disabilities.
General
Volunteering
The Volunteer India experience has inspired and guided many participants toward careers working with people with disabilities. Volunteers engage directly with community programs, education, and rehabilitation initiatives while gaining valuable cross-cultural exposure.
To date, more than 40 HCI volunteers have completed placements in India and consistently return with outstanding feedback, describing their experience as rewarding, transformative, and life-changing.
Ideal for :
High school students, university students, gap-year participants, and individuals seeking meaningful international volunteer experience.
Clinical Placements for
International Students
Since 2006, Handi-Care International has been facilitating clinical placements for Physiotherapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students in India.
Placements take place at Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA), HCI’s long-standing partner organization located in the rural town of Ayikudy, Tamil Nadu, India. Students gain supervised, hands-on clinical experience in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation environment while developing cultural competence and professional confidence.
Ideal for :
International PT, OT, and SLP students seeking clinical exposure in a global healthcare setting.
Professional Volunteering as
Supervisors
In 2015, HCI expanded its program to include professional volunteering opportunities for experienced Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Physiotherapists (PTs).
Between 2015 and 2018, a total of 39 licensed OTs and PTs from Canada, the USA, and Australia volunteered at ASSA, providing supervision, mentorship, and clinical expertise alongside student placements.
Professional volunteers play a critical role in strengthening local capacity while gaining meaningful international professional experience.
Ideal for :
Licensed OT and PT professionals interested in mentorship, global health, and capacity building.
Placement Location
Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA)
All volunteer and placement programs are hosted at Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA) in rural South India. ASSA is a renowned institution dedicated to the rehabilitation and education of people with disabilities, operating:
Special Education School
Vocational Training Centers
Rehabilitation Center
Medical Clinic
Why Volunteer
With Handi-Care?
Handi-Care International creates unforgettable volunteer experiences for both students and professionals in healthcare and education. Through these placements, volunteers:
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Gain deep cultural understanding and global perspective
- Build lifelong friendships
- Contribute meaningfully to disability rehabilitation and education
- Return home with clarity and focus on future career goals
Many former volunteers have gone on to pursue careers in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, teaching, medicine, and allied health professions.
Since 2004, more than 40 Canadian volunteers have participated in HCI programs across areas such as :
Education
Medical and rehabilitation services
Recreation and sports
Recreation and sports
