Wheelchair Provision for Persons with Mobility Disability

The most recent Indian Census (2011) reports that 27 million people have some form of disability, 20% of those have a mobility disability, with at least one million people needing a wheelchair. Without the right wheelchair people with mobility disabilities across India are left isolated socially and economically, with little or no access to healthcare, education or employment and unable to participate in political, social and family life. 

This leaves them amongst the poorest of the poor; invisible and isolated and vulnerable to secondary life-threatening health conditions. This situation is also compounded by the fact that discrimination and stigma remain endemic, which leads to further marginalization and exclusion.  

Motivation India will:

1. Identify and provide appropriate wheelchairs to 50 children and adults with disabilities so that they have access to appropriate wheelchairs, leading to better mobility and health.
2. Survey and screening to be conducted by trained field workers; Clinical & functional assessment; Customisation and fitting of wheelchairs; User training of wheelchair; Follow up and maintenance of wheelchairs.
3. Provide therapy service and follow up for improvement in posture and flexibility for functional independence: Physiotherapy exercises to children and adults with disabilities; Training parents on supporting their children
4. Provide wheelchair skills training to wheelchair users for navigating their wheelchairs through different terrains and will get information about the maintenance of their wheelchairs.
5. Build capacity of NGO staff in appropriate wheelchair provision.

The proposed project will directly benefit 50 children and adults with mobility-related disability and their families with the provision of need-based wheelchair services and skill training to minimize the impact of disability on their lives. 150 family members will be positively impacted by the increased/improved mobility and skill training of their children/family members.

Family members, mainly mothers of children with disabilities, who are their primary carers, will benefit and get respite as a result of their children being mobile and independent. This will give the mothers more time to go out for work and earn extra income and other family and social obligations.

The long term impact of the action will be that the partner organization will continue having the capacity to provide needs-based services to persons with mobility disabilities in the region even after completion of the project. The wheelchair skills training will help other wheelchair users to have appropriate wheelchairs and live a healthy life. Awareness generation in the community on appropriate wheelchair services will instill a sense of confidence in persons with mobility disabilities to be independent.