Mobile Therapy Bus Initiative Launched to Support Children with Disabilities in Marginalized Communities

Each Mobile Therapy Bus is equipped to deliver critical and transformative services to approximately 14,000 individuals with disabilities.

The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and The Hans Foundation, has launched a groundbreaking Mobile Therapy Bus initiative. The program aims to cater to the needs of children with disabilities in underserved areas by deploying five specially designed Mobile Therapy Buses in Noida, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

The launch event was attended by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, who served as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Mr. Sudeep Sinha, Director of Program and Strategic Initiatives at The Hans Foundation, and Dr. B V Ram Kumar, Director of NIEPID.

Each Mobile Therapy Bus is equipped to deliver critical and transformative services to approximately 14,000 individuals with disabilities. The initiative involves an initial capital investment of ₹2 crore per bus, with an annual operational budget of ₹1.2 crore to cover maintenance, staffing, and running costs.

In its inaugural year, the program has already made significant strides, with 5,222 children with disabilities registered and screened, and provided with comprehensive healthcare and counseling services.

During his address, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal commended the initiative, praising the professional competence of NIEPID and The Hans Foundation teams. He underscored the importance of extending government services to remote communities and encouraged collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance early detection and intervention in rural areas.

Aggarwal also proposed that Teaching Learning Material and other resources from the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) be included in the buses for distribution. Noting the shortage of professionals in this field, he urged NIEPID students to focus on their studies and professional development. Additionally, he recommended short-term courses for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and advocated for a 100% fee concession for persons with disabilities and their families.