Customized tricycles by FOD for enterprising people with disabilities to earn a livelihood

It is a reality that disability, illiteracy and inaccessible environment are the major causes that prevent a disabled person from earning a livelihood. Still, they are part and parcel of the society and should not be denied and opportunity to rightfully earn a livelihood for themselves as well as their dependents.

Being illiterate or less educated, they of course have no chance of getting employment in public, private or even government sector but that doesn’t stop them from feeling the hunger in their belly, - both for food as well as to live a decent life.

The need, responsibility on their shoulders, and lack of opportunities often lead them to falling prey to anti-social elements and rackets, who use them to meet their ulterior motives- drug peddling, begging, etc

To overcome mobility challenges, FOD has been providing assistive devices & rehab products to people with disabilities, free of cost. These include wheelchairs for adults and children, hearing aids, crutches, I-pods, powered air mattress, rollators, bicycles, diapers (for persons with no control on bladder and bowel), tricycles with and without box, walkers, air rings, DVD players, etc. If disabled persons are provided with appropriate gadgets then they can lead a more self-reliant life. Beneficiaries receive gadgets, as per their needs. Most of the gadgets are off-the-shelf products instead of fabricated goods. Their use makes daily living for the person with a disability much easier and less dependent on others. 

FOD has also been providing assistance with micro interest-free loans to people with disabilities under its flagship programme- Apna Rozgaar Scheme to help them earn a living for themselves as well as take care of their dependents.

FOD provides customized tricycle to people with disabilities with dual aim of providing them mobility as well as earning a livelihood. Besides being a mode of transportation, tricycle also serves as a mobile shop as many disabled people run their micro-trades using them as a sales outlet avoiding being harassed by police/municipal officials.

1)  Quality of life immensely improves, not only of the entrepreneur but also of his dependents and other family members, who have been contributing fruitfully to the business. (A few of them now own LED, coolers even ACs, refrigerators, smart phones, etc).

2) Brings a sense of competence, dignity, and standing.

3) Provide themselves and their dependents better food, clothing & shelter

4) Able to afford better medical facilities, and assistive devices.

5)) Able to provide better education to their children.

6) Find themselves in position to enter into married life, in cases where applicable

7) Can fulfill their responsibilities of getting their children married.

8) Being economically independent builds their confidence.