Disability

With an objective of fostering an inclusive environment The Hans Foundation’s disability-centered initiatives aim to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. The programs under this vertical work for healthcare services, therapeutic interventions, assistive technologies and inclusive education and livelihood. Adopting a rights-based approach, in line with international conventions like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), THF strives to remove barriers faced by PwDs in their daily lives. Ranging from early intervention and child development centres to community-based rehabilitation and to provision of assistive devices like wheelchairs and hearing aids, THFs programs cater to all age groups.

Mobile Therapy Bus

The Mobile Therapy Bus is an innovative project launched in 2023 with an objective to provide specialized supportive services to individuals with disabilities. Working in collaboration with the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) the program focuses on providing holistic services ranging from early screening and identification to life-long services. Equipped with specialized chambers for therapeutic interventions, advanced assessment tools, and trained professionals these buses provide comprehensive care and rehabilitation services. The program also educates parents, caregivers, and communities on working with all kinds of disabilities by raising awareness and changing narratives, in and around disability.

Early Intervention & Childhood Development Centres

The Hans Foundation, in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi and Rajiv Gandhi Maternity and Child Government Hospitals, Puducherry, has developed state-of-the-art facilities for early detection and intervention for children with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, and specific learning disabilities. The centres offers tailored, multidisciplinary care to help each child reach their full potential based on their capabilities. The goal of this initiative is to enable children to become competent, socially-included members of society, ensuring they lead a high-quality life. Among various services, the centre provides psychological assessment and counselling, special education support, physiotherapy, speech therapy, vision & hearing assessment, transfer of skills to parents, occupational therapy and dietary counselling.

Project Unnati for Inclusive Education

Initiated in 2023, Project Unnati aims to help schools develop ecosystems where all students including Children with Disabilities (CwD) can be provided an inclusive platform for learning. Under this, THF works with the partner schools to bring structural changes in the education system by reshaping schools, classroom settings, and other activities so that students can learn and participate collectively. The schools are assisted in developing a resource centre where special educators help those children who are at a risk of learning difficulties through accessible teaching and learning materials. Moreover, the program also sensitizes the school staff for fostering inclusion in sports, extracurricular activities and for strengthening socialization/friendship/relationships.

Transforming Mental Health for All

The Hans Foundation in 2023 launched a three-year mental health initiative in the West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya aiming to support individuals with mental health issues, epilepsy, and related conditions across 60 villages. The program provides comprehensive services including medical treatment, counseling, telemedicine, and livelihood support for Person with Mental Health Issues (PWMIs). Key goals of the project include improving overall quality of life for the community in the targeted area and enhancing mental health conditions through a comprehensive community mental health program. In addition to health services, the program also supports economic empowerment by enhancing livelihood skills for patients and their families, offering seed grants for micro-enterprises.

Project Rupantaran

With a purpose of fostering inclusion, Project Rupantaran provides affordable assistive technology and medical support to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in rural regions of India. Working hand in hand with Hans Mobile Medical Units, the initiative provides devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and educational software to improve mobility, independence, and social participation. Regular follow ups and evaluation are also conducted to measure the impact of the devices distributed to the beneficiaries. Moreover, corrective surgeries and medical interventions are also provided under the project with an aim of reducing caregiver burdens and enhancing quality of life.