Arivalayam is a special school and vocational training center set up in 1977 by BHEL Tiruchirappalli to cater to the special education needs of differently-abled children in the community.

Arivalayam was the BHEL management's response to the special needs of a three-year-old child enrolled in a pre-primary school in BHEL's township who was found to be showing little or no interest in joining in the activities of other children. A discreet survey revealed that there were other such special children in the township and nearby areas who required the services of special educators who were trained to meet the needs of differently-abled children.

Arivalayam opened its doors to the community with initial technical support from the Christoffel Blinden Mission of Germany and has grown over the years into a full-fledged, professionally managed Centre for the care of special children with over 200 students and 50 staff members.

Arivalayam has a spacious auditorium for conducting cultural programmes, indoor games and recreational activities and also provides hostel facilities for 40 children.

As most differently-abled children have to deal with limited motor co-ordination and have to overcome speech and language related challenges, Arivalayam is equipped with special sections that focus on each of these areas.

Today, Arivalayam looks far beyond special education and has set up an in-house Vocational Training Centre where the students develop vocational skills that enable them to earn their livelihood as independent, self-reliant members of the community.