Meet these 5 organisations extending a helping hand to the differently-abled
There are many organisations that care for the differently-abled and their problems. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, SocialStory shines the spotlight on five organisation making a real difference.
At a time when inclusive development is at the forefront of efforts to improve the lives of the marginalised, we see many individuals, organisations, and government bodies taking initiatives to make a difference to the differently abled.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a United Nations-sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally on 3rd December, SocialStory lists five organisations that are going out of their way to improve the lives of the disabled.
Founded by industrial designers Nupura Kirloskar and Janhavi Joshi in 2015, Bleetech focuses on breaking barriers between the hearing-enabled and the deaf by leveraging design and science.
Bleetech Innovations' digital platform consists of content on a variety of topics.
Their key offerings are two technological interventions: BleeTV, a free Android mobile application and web portal hosting a pool of content-covering financial literacy, current affairs, English language, science and technology, and self-help in Indian Sign Language (ISL), and BleeTV Library, which is a similar platform with content curated especially for children.
NeoMotion
Chennai-based is out to transform and enable people with disabilities to live independently. It was founded in 2016 by Swostik Dash, an IIT alumnus, and Dr Sujatha Srinivasan, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras.
NeoMotion products
The startup is focused on helping the physically disabled to move around without the help of another through its high-quality customised wheelchairs and modified scooters.
Inali Foundation
At , the disabled, especially people who do not have any financial support, are provided electronic arms for free. Founded by 28-year-old Prashant Gade, the not-for-profit enterprise has been able to enable more than 3,500 people to work and live life independently.
Before and after - one of the recipients of the prosthetic arm
The foundation has built many designs at Inali with the help of this versatile team. The first version uses a single button to open and close the palm, aiding in basic functions like drinking water, and even writing. The second type is a little more advanced. It uses sensors that are placed on the hand which detects signals from the brain and directs the motors inside the arm to move accordingly.
The VAANI Deaf Children’s Foundation focuses on sign language and communication, giving every hearing-impaired child an opportunity to communicate, learn, and grow.
Deaf Children at VAANI engaged in creative activities
The foundation stresses that language can be taught to young children with hearing problems using a combination of techniques. The foundation trains teachers with specialised methods to bring language and comprehension to the lives of not only hearing-impaired children but also their families.
They also ensure the bond between the parent and the child is strengthened and that their social and emotional needs are met.
Mind Assets
Maitri Shah, diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy, started in 2017 to provide online opportunities for people with disabilities, enable organisations to connect to potential candidates, and more. Mind Assets is focused on introducing “merit-based inclusivity” to India.
Maitri Shah
The organisation has focused on enabling companies to take advantage of financial government benefits, align with the gig economy, enable employee stability and reliability, find project-based talent, and get anytime-anywhere employees, among others.
Edited by Anju Narayanan