Reaffirming the Government of Goa’s commitment to creating an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are empowered to live with dignity and independence, the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities distributed mobility assistive devices to eligible beneficiaries in the state.
The assistive devices were handed over by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad R. Pawaskar, Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Varsha Naik, and Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Taha Haaziq.
As part of the distribution, Soham Talwadkar of Mapusa, a person with Cerebral Palsy who earns his livelihood by selling lottery tickets, was provided with an electric tricycle to enable greater mobility, improve access to his workplace and strengthen his ability to earn an independent livelihood.
Another beneficiary, Anil Ganesh Velip of Cola, Canacona, who has 80 percent locomotor disability, was provided with an electric tricycle along with a charger and an electric wheelchair with charger. The mobility aids will significantly enhance his independence in carrying out daily activities while improving access to education, healthcare, employment and community participation.
Speaking on the occasion, Guruprasad R. Pawaskar, said, “Mobility is one of the most fundamental enablers of inclusion. When persons with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive devices, they gain not only freedom of movement but also greater opportunities for education, employment and self-reliance. Our commitment extends beyond distributing equipment—we are working towards creating an ecosystem where every person with a disability has the opportunity to live with dignity, participate fully in society and pursue sustainable livelihoods. These interventions reflect the Government of Goa’s vision of an inclusive state where no one is left behind.”
The distribution forms part of the Department’s ongoing initiatives to provide appropriate assistive devices that enhance mobility, reduce dependence and enable persons with disabilities to actively participate in society and the workforce.The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities remain committed to implementing initiatives that improve accessibility, promote independent living and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities across Goa.
