The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), in collaboration with the Hans Foundation, launched the Mobile Therapy Bus initiative today. This innovative program aims to support children with disabilities in underserved communities by deploying five Mobile Therapy Buses in Noida, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
The event was honored by the presence of Secretary (DEPwD), Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, as the Chief Guest, alongside Mr. Sudeep Sinha, Director of Program and Strategic Initiatives at The Hans Foundation, and Dr. B V Ram Kumar, Director of NIEPID.
These Mobile Therapy Buses are equipped to provide essential and transformative services to nearly 14,000 individuals with disabilities. The initiative involves a significant initial investment of ₹2 crore per bus for capital expenses and infrastructure, along with an annual operational budget of ₹1.2 crore to cover maintenance, staffing, and other necessary costs.
In its first year, the Mobile Therapy Bus initiative has already achieved significant milestones. So far, 5,222 children with disabilities have been registered and screened, receiving comprehensive healthcare and counseling services.
During his speech, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal commended the initiative and the expertise of the teams at NIEPID and The Hans Foundation. He stressed the importance of government outreach to marginalized communities and advocated for increased collaboration between the private and government sectors to improve early detection and intervention, especially in rural areas.
The Chief Guest also recommended that Teaching Learning Materials and other aids from the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) be stored in the buses for convenient distribution. Addressing the shortage of professionals in the field, he encouraged NIEPID students to focus on their studies and use their experiences to become successful professionals. Shri Aggarwal also proposed short-term courses for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and suggested a 100% fee concession for persons with disabilities (PWD) and their families.
