Aid to the Disabled in India

One of the best partners the LDS Charities has in India is the Association of People with Disabilities. This organization works in many ways to help disabled individuals become more self-reliant. They were able to obtain an abandoned manufacturing assembly plant and turned it into a learning center with 13 teaching stations. The training included areas for sewing, woodwork, electronic repair, computers, painting, and pottery decorations. In addition, a wheelchair assembly room is used by disabled employees to provide chairs that fit the specific needs of a given disabled person. We have helped fund the wheelchair projects and are now bringing in all-terrain chairs that can be used on outdoor rough surfaces better than the standard chairs are able to do. Elder and Sister Fairbanks made arrangements for us to tour the facility and meet some of the disabled persons learning in their specific areas. No one stays all night, but they are brought in by bus or auto rickshaw to attend the classes. We were impressed with the dedication of the volunteers and workers in this facility.


The name is prominently displayed on the front of the converted warehouse learning center.

One of the managers of the learning center who took us on a tour of the facility.

This disabled woman comes to learn how to make quilts.

The wheelchairs are very sturdy. Each recipient is fitted individually for the chair. This is a three wheel chair that folds up very easily.

I even had a chance to try out a chair. I'm not quite ready to use it each day, but it did move easily.

This man fell from a scaffolding three years ago and is now a paraplegic. His former chair did not fit properly and he was developing many severe sores. This new chair will produce fewer pressure points and he is very happy to get it. I was asked to make the formal presentation to him while we were there.

The workers at the plant had worked with this man throughout the day. He is now ready to return to his home.

The plant is very large. They have put in paritions for 13 training stations with lots of space.

A center using equipment like vices to repair and produce items.

The computer lab is very popular as you can see in this picture. Notice that some are in wheelchairs. The disabled that use the center are either physically or mentally handicapped.

Looking at jewelry being produced by these students.

A descriptive poster that is titled "There is ability in disability.

This woman is working on a quilt. She seemed happy to be learning something useful. The trip left us with an appreciation for the organizations that reach out to help the disabled.