Despite growing wealth and political prominence, India remains a country of two halves. Around 40% of the population still live below the poverty line.

Reaching the most marginalised

At least one million people in India are disabled and in need a wheelchair.

Wheelchairs currently available through the government are of varying quality and are not fitted to the individual, leaving many users vulnerable to ulcers and infections. They are not designed with the uneven terrain in mind either, meaning many end up broken and discarded.

We know that the best way to ensure disabled people are able to regain independence is to provide the right wheelchairs in the right way - wheelchairs that are suitable for rough ground and properly fitted.

Recent projects

Our work in India is diverse. Since 2010, Motivation has established over a dozen wheelchair service centres and outreach services that cater for a range of different complex needs.

Cerebral Palsy

Many children with cerebral palsy need a wheelchair or supportive seat to develop properly and stay healthy. But India is a vast country and wheelchair services are usually too far away for people living in rural communities.

To combat this issue, Motivation trains local partners to find people in need of wheelchairs and refer them to mobile wheelchair clinics. The team are now working with Johanniter International Assistance and other organisations on a project that will provide supportive wheelchairs to 385 children with cerebral palsy. 

The project is supported by ‘Ein Herz für Kinder’, a charitable foundation set up by the German newspaper BILD.

Improving wheelchair provision

We are delighted to be working with the Government of India to improve their national wheelchair provision. The partnership will see Motivation wheelchairs manufactured and distributed across India so that disabled people can get a good quality chair that meets their individual needs.   

This new partnership is vitally important. If we can improve the way that governments and development organisations provide wheelchairs, we can  build sustainable change. This means the needs of disabled people will not be forgotten but are instead a key consideration in healthcare programmes.

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Photos © Nishant Ratnakar