32 wheelchair users in Kolkata received customized mobility devices from Mobis India Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) division of Hyundai Mobis in India, as part of its flagship initiative, “Accessibility & Freedom – Empowering Wheelchair Users with Mobility Assistive Devices”. The initiative’s West Bengal phase, which benefited 60 people in Kolkata and Siliguri, was concluded with this session.

There are now 60 beneficiaries in West Bengal thanks to the Siliguri initiative, which provided 28 recipients with customized mobility equipment.

The Kolkata programme was attended by Dr. Lalit Narayanan, Director, National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan); Sougata Banerjee, Deputy Director; Dr. Ameed Eqbal, Assistant Director; and Prakash Sahoo, In-charge, P&O Department. Representatives from Mobis India Foundation included Santosh Srivatav, CSR In-charge; Infant Roshina, Executive – CSR; Sushant Kumar Behera, DGM – Logistics; and Sudeep Chakraborty, Assistant Manager.

The effort seeks to improve independent movement for people with spinal cord injuries and locomotor disabilities, who frequently encounter obstacles when trying to access public services, education, jobs, healthcare, sports, and communal life. The initiative aims to encourage independence, equitable opportunity, and increased social participation by offering customized mobility solutions.

The Mobis India Foundation’s Rs 6.3 crore nationwide accessibility program, including the West Bengal effort, provides customized NeoFly wheelchairs and NeoBolt motor-powered accessories to 600 wheelchair users across eight states and union territories. Beyond distributing assistive technology, the program is a long-term commitment to inclusion, helping people with disabilities engage more fully in community activities, work, education, business, healthcare, and sports.

The program uses a customized approach to mobility aids and is carried out in collaboration with NeoMotion, an assistive technology startup housed at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. To guarantee that the gadget offers proper posture, comfort, safety, and long-term usability, each recipient is subjected to a thorough clinical evaluation and precise body measurements.

Each recipient is given a NeoFly wheelchair that may be customized to meet their functional and clinical requirements. The wheelchair allows users to travel farther with less physical exertion when used in conjunction with NeoBolt, a motor-powered attachment created by NeoMotion. This promotes more independence in daily mobility and access to possibilities.

The initiative focuses on creating mobility solutions that are tailored to each person’s physical needs, in contrast to traditional wheelchair distribution programs that take a one-size-fits-all approach. In addition to assisting beneficiaries in leading more autonomous, fruitful, and satisfying lives, this customized approach seeks to enhance comfort, use, and safety.

Priyanka Dutta