Maharashtra Dyslexia Association is a not-for-profit organization committed to securing the rights of students with dyslexia, also known as a ‘Specific Learning or Language Disability’ to an appropriate education. MDA was started in March 1996 by a group of parents and professionals with a view to creating awareness about Dyslexia amongst the educational community in the city and the general public, and advocating the right of students with Learning Disabilities. MDA. aims to provide a better understanding of this common but often misunderstood condition and provide appropriate remedial assistance, thus working towards the acceptance of the special needs of children with learning disabilities and enabling them to reach their full potential.

MDA currently has a team of psychologists, special educators and professionals and is located in three centers around Mumbai city. MDA offers various services, which include:

• Diagnostic and remedial facilities for children and young adults.

• A therapy centre providing speech & language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy, sensory integration etc

• Workshops in schools and colleges

• Counseling facilities for both children and parents.

• A Parents Support Group to look into the needs of our parents

• A research unit to undertake research projects and develop appropriate teaching and testing material suited to the needs of the local population.

• A training centre where we conduct training workshops/ talks for small groups of teachers and other professionals

• A Reference library with books, journals and the latest information on learning disabilities and related areas, which is accessible to all.

MDA Committee Members
What brought together a motley group of parents was their single-minded passion to help children with learning disabilities. Having been through their own trials and tribulations in bringing up or dealing with a dyslexic child, each of them had faced challenges and sought support from whichever source they could lay their hands on, to deal with these children. It also made them realize the dire need to come together and use their personal and collective skills and experiences, to reach out and helps others.

• Vinita Pandit (Educational Consultant)
Mrs. Pandit was instrumental in bringing together the distraught parents that would frequently visit her for advice and solace and was responsible for starting the MDA in 1996. Highly respected and admired, by her peers, parents and students alike, Mrs. Pandit’s vision culminated in the formation of the Association. A thoroughly dedicated teacher, she worked at the prestigious Arya Vidya Mandir School for over 27 years, and retired as Principal of the Bandra branch, after being at its helm for 9 years.

• Ms. Kate Currawalla (President)
Kate Currawalla is the Founder President of MDA. She has been working tirelessly since its inception, to expand and develop the reach of the Association, so that children with Learning Disabilities have access to high quality testing, assessment and remediation, to enable them an appropriate education within the mainstream. Kate’s energetic determination and unflagging attitude has resulted in the Centre’s expansion from a tiny office in North Mumbai to three centers across the city. Her sense of enterprise and perseverance has resulted in several fruitful tie-ups for the association in the areas of training and publications. A graduate of Arts from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communications, Kate has worked as a free-lance journalist and short filmmaker. She was a regular contributor to several reputed media channels, including the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and Doordarshan. In 2003, she was elected a Fellow of the renowned Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, a Washington-based Foundation that promotes innovative entrepreneurship in the voluntary sector worldwide.

• Ms. Keshwar Dalal (Jt. Hon. Secretary)
A qualified Primary teacher, Mrs. Dalal worked as a volunteer with the Spastics Society of India for 7 years. She then moved to the J.B. Petit School and has been teaching the Pre-primary children for over 14 years. Having personally experienced the inadequacies of the education system, she spearheaded advocacy and the compelling need for reforms, which would support learning disabled children complete their education successfully. Her untiring efforts led to the state government’s recognition of dyslexia and to several concessions being made available to children that needed them. She is on a number of Committees and represents MDA with state educational authorities, fervently driving for changes to be made in the system.

• Ms. Jyoti Row Kavi (Jt. Hon. Secretary)
With over 25 years of corporate communications experience with MNCs, Mrs. Row Kavi brings her skills and expertise to further the cause of dyslexia in the public eye. Actively promoting information in the media, Ms. Row Kavi is focused on disseminating knowledge about learning disabilities, through various channels of communication.

• Ms Tanaz Shroff (Treasurer)
On completing her Masters in Life Science, Ms. Shroff joined the Bombay Hospital where she worked in the Neuro-Path department for over 6 years. Currently she manages the accounts for MDA and ensures that the Association’s investments and finances are in good order.

• Ms. Santosh Rajan (Committee Member)
Immensely creative by nature, Ms. Rajan dabbles in several streams of the fine arts – be it theater, singing, dance, or painting, she has also written, directed and produced a play single-handedly. On completing her graduation, she worked for 8 years with the Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation and thereafter joined her husband to assist him in his new business venture.

• Dr. Indula Panchal (Committee Member)
Dr. Panchal is an MD in Anesthesia with several years of extensive experience in public hospitals. She retired as Head of the Department of Anesthesia, T.N. Medical College & Nair Hospital in 2000, after 35 years of long and dedicated service. Currently she is free-lancing and is a part-time Professor in a private medical college. She is also an Hon. Consultant at the Harkisindas Hospital and the Jagjivan Ram Railway Hospital.

• Ms Tehmi Morris (Committee Member)
Tehmi has grown up in Hong Kong and moved to Mumbai after her marriage. She holds a Bachelors degree in Social Science and a Diploma from the Royal Society of Arts (UK) in T.E. F. L. She has worked at the British Council, Mumbai for 6 years in their English Studies department. She oversees the smooth functioning of MDA’s Center at Sophia College which provides Testing and Remedial services, using her organization and methodical skills.

• Ms Purvi Chothani (Committee Member)
On completing her LL.B from Bombay University, Ms. Chothani obtained a Masters in Law from the University of Pennsylvania. She has her own private practice and is the proprietor of a law firm, LawQuest, which deals with general and commercial law.

• Ms. Meena Mody (Committee Member)
A Graduate in Fine Arts from the J. J. School of Arts, Mrs. Mody used to conduct art classes from her home. She is actively involved in the organizing the multiple workshops that MDA conducts throughout the year.


The MDA Team
We have a team of highly trained, remarkably motivated professionals who bring lots of spirited fun into the Center, which is valued by students and parents alike.

MDA offers every child an individual program to deal with its specific difficulties. This Program will give you the personal support you need to help your child through the learning process at school. This affordable Program is tailored to your child's individual needs, and provides you with personal support from an experienced Special Educator who will assist you on a one-to-one basis in helping your child. It provides you with the practical techniques you need to help your dyslexic child.

All our Psychologists and Remedial Teachers are specially qualified, some of them having several years experience working with dyslexic children. They will:

• Correspond with you regularly about your child's individual challenges and progress.

• Advise you about how to deal with the school, your child's individual learning difficulties, homework and home learning/support.

• Help you to raise your child's achievement into the average range for their age.

• Provide strategies to raise your child's self-esteem; and pass on to you individually-focused techniques to raise your child's achievement week by week through the year.

Your child's assessment report, history and record will be with our team and, as the weeks go by, your Teacher/Counselor will build up a positive relationship with you, and provide you with a detailed knowledge of your child's individual needs.

• Masarrat Khan- CEO
Psychologist & Remedial Teacher
An MA in Clinical Psychology & MA in English Literature from Bombay University, Masarrat has an invaluable 17 years of experience in the area of Learning Disabilities. She very competently heads MDA and has conscientiously steered its growth and expansion over the years. She has previously worked with the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and Burhani College, amongst other institutions.

• Lucy Martins – Education Supervisor
Psychologist & Special Educator.
An MA in Psychology and B.Ed in Special Education (SNDT), Lucy has 14 years of vast experience, having worked in Goa Sangath, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and Nalanda, a school specially set up for children with learning disabilities.

• Divya Balgi- Administrator
Electronics Engineer
An Engineer by profession, Divya has worked in a Hong Kong based MNC based in India as their liaison office manager for 5 years. In an efficient and systematic manner, Divya oversees the entire administration and accounts at MDA thereby ensuring smooth functioning of our various Resource Centers.

• Nafeeza Pavri – Project Coordinator
With over 3 years of experience, Nafeeza holds an MA in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She has previously worked with the Prism Foundation, Pune, a centre with schools for children with learning and/or multiple disabilities and the Prasanna Autism Centre, Pune. She’s is working on developing the organizations image, networking with other organizations and institutes, fund raising etc.

• Nafisa Moochhala- Psychologist & Remedial Teacher
A highly respected and experienced teacher, Nafisa has been working with learning-disabled children for over 20 years. She holds a Masters degree in Child & Clinical Psychology and was teaching at the Bombay University for a number of years. She has also been a Counselor at Atomic Energy and was running a successful private practice alongside. She effectively handles remedial programs for the children.

• Jumana Shipchandler- Psychologist
An MA in Clinical Psychology from the SNDT University, Jumana has over 3 years work experience and handles testing and assessments.

• Dhanashri Mekal- Psychologist-
BHSC in Developmental Counselling from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai and a PG Diploma in Guidance & Counselling form SIES College she also holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University. She has over 2 years of experience having previously worked with Dr. Radhakrishnan Vidyala. She currently does assessments and testing at MDA.

• Saloni Zimba- Trainee Psychologist
Saloni has done her Masters in Neuropsychology from the University of Essex, and has worked for six months as a learning support assistant with children having behavioral problems in Essex. She carries out testing and also assists with remedial work.

• Manek Chitalwala- Special Educator
A Post Graduate in Special Education from SNDT University, Manek has 3 years of work experience with MDA. She handles remedial programs for the children with learning disabilities.

• Anjum Barodawalla - Special Educator
A B.Ed in Special Education with over 8 years of experience, Anjum handles remedial at MDA. Her working experience includes assignments at Bombay Scottish School and the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital. She is an experienced remedial teacher.

• Deepali Shah- Remedial Teacher
With over 11 years of work experience, Deepali holds an M.Sc in Human Development and has previously worked with SRE. She handles remedial programs at our Centers.

• Bela Kacheria- Remedial Teacher
Bela holds a Post Graduate certificate in Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities. Her 3 years of experience includes working at the Resource Room at New Era School and at Path. She does remedial work at the MDA.

• Mala Mehta – Special Educator
Mala is currently pursuing a Masters in Special Education (inclusion specialist) from the University of Michigan. She has 7 years of experience, having previously worked at the Nalanda Institute for Special Needs and the Bombay International School.