Physical disabilities can create significant barriers to mobility, independence and participation in everyday life, particularly for individuals who lack access to affordable assistive devices and rehabilitation services. 

For many people with limb loss or mobility-related disabilities, the cost of artificial limbs and the absence of specialised fitting facilities can make essential support difficult to obtain. These challenges can affect access to education, employment and social activities, placing additional pressure on individuals and their families.

To address these needs, Narayan Seva Sansthan organised a free artificial limb and caliper fitting camp at Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad, in collaboration with its CSR partners, Make a Change Foundation (UK), Golden Jubilee and Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden (UK). 

The initiative provided 815 artificial limbs and calipers free of cost to 745 individuals with disabilities, helping beneficiaries access mobility aids and improve their ability to perform everyday activities.

The camp combined assistive device distribution with expert fitting, beneficiary training and community support. By bringing these services together at a single location, the initiative aimed to reduce financial barriers and support greater independence among people with disabilities.

Expanding Access to Free Artificial Limbs and Assistive Devices

Access to appropriate assistive devices is an important part of supporting people with limb loss and mobility-related disabilities. Artificial limbs and calipers can help eligible individuals improve movement, perform daily tasks and participate more actively in their communities. However, obtaining these devices can be financially challenging, particularly for families with limited resources.

Narayan Seva Sansthan's Hyderabad camp addressed this challenge by providing artificial limbs and calipers free of cost. A total of 815 devices were distributed among 745 beneficiaries, with the number of devices exceeding the number of recipients because some individuals required multiple fittings.

The support was tailored to different needs. Some beneficiaries received lower-limb prostheses to support standing and walking, while others received upper-limb prostheses to assist with everyday activities. Certain individuals required multiple devices to address more complex mobility needs.

The camp used Narayan Modular artificial limbs, with an expert team responsible for fitting the devices. The programme also incorporated German technology in the manufacturing of the artificial limbs, reflecting the use of specialised technical processes in assistive device provision.

Combining Expert Fitting with Training and Rehabilitation Support

Providing an artificial limb is only one part of the process of helping a person adapt to an assistive device. Proper fitting, guidance on use and ongoing attention to maintenance are important for ensuring that the device is appropriate for the beneficiary's needs.

At the Hyderabad camp, Narayan Seva Sansthan's expert team fitted the artificial limbs and calipers and trained beneficiaries in their usage and maintenance. This practical support was intended to help recipients understand how to use their devices and care for them after the camp.

The training component is significant because people receiving artificial limbs may need time and guidance to incorporate them into everyday routines. Lower-limb prostheses can require practice to develop balance and mobility, while upper-limb devices may help users perform specific tasks that support personal independence.

The camp also created opportunities for beneficiaries to experience the functional possibilities offered by their newly fitted devices. Some participants played football using their new artificial legs, while others used their artificial hands to perform everyday activities, including drinking water.

Building an Inclusive Support System Through CSR Partnerships

The Hyderabad camp was organised by Narayan Seva Sansthan in collaboration with Make a Change Foundation (UK), Golden Jubilee and Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden (UK). The collaboration brought together organisations supporting the delivery of a programme focused on assistive devices and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Partnerships of this kind can help mobilise resources, coordinate services and extend the reach of initiatives addressing specific community needs. In this case, the camp brought beneficiaries, technical specialists, organisational representatives and supporters together to facilitate the distribution and fitting of artificial limbs and calipers.

The beneficiary selection process began with a camp held on 1 February, during which more than 1,000 people with disabilities registered for consideration. Of these, 745 individuals received support through the Hyderabad distribution camp. This process helped identify beneficiaries before the main event and enabled the organisation to plan device fitting around their requirements.

The programme also received support from public representatives and community stakeholders. Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla attended as the chief guest, while Andhra Pradesh Minister for Industries and Commerce T. G. Bharath participated as the guest of honour. Their presence brought public attention to the importance of assistive devices and the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Narayan Seva Sansthan has been engaged in charitable service since 1985, with activities that include providing artificial limbs and medical treatment to people in need. According to the organisation's reported figures, it has provided free artificial limbs to more than 39,591 individuals with disabilities and offered free medical treatment to over 452,000 beneficiaries.

The Hyderabad camp forms part of these broader efforts to address disability-related needs through accessible services. Its partnership-based approach highlights the role that CSR collaboration, technical expertise and community engagement can play in delivering targeted support.

Impact Created

The Hyderabad artificial limb and caliper fitting camp delivered direct assistance to hundreds of people with disabilities, combining free devices with fitting and practical training.

Key outcomes reported for the initiative include:

The initiative's impact extends beyond the number of devices distributed. For people who require mobility support, an appropriately fitted artificial limb can help improve movement, support participation in daily activities and create opportunities for greater independence. 

Upper-limb devices can assist with certain functional tasks, while lower-limb prostheses can support standing, walking and mobility when appropriately fitted and used.

The provision of multiple devices to some beneficiaries also reflects the importance of tailoring assistive support to individual requirements rather than applying a uniform solution.

Training in device usage and maintenance adds another dimension to the intervention by equipping beneficiaries with practical knowledge that can support continued use after the event. However, the extent of long-term improvements in mobility, independence and quality of life would require follow-up assessment.

The camp therefore represents a measurable service-delivery outcome, with 745 individuals receiving 815 devices, alongside a broader effort to improve access to assistive technology and disability support.

Way Forward

Sustaining the benefits of artificial limb distribution requires attention to the period following initial fitting. Continued guidance, rehabilitation support and access to adjustments can help beneficiaries adapt to their devices and address difficulties that may arise during use.

Follow-up assessments could help identify whether the devices remain comfortable, functional and appropriate as beneficiaries develop their mobility or use them in different daily activities. Access to repairs, replacement components and maintenance services can also help extend the useful life of assistive devices.

Future camps could also build on the registration and selection process to identify unmet demand, understand the types of assistive devices most frequently required and improve planning for subsequent interventions. Tracking beneficiaries' experiences after fitting would provide a clearer picture of how the programme contributes to mobility, participation and independence over time.

Narayan Seva Sansthan's Hyderabad camp demonstrates how targeted assistance can bring artificial limbs, calipers and practical training within reach of people with disabilities. 

By combining free assistive devices with expert fitting and guidance, the initiative has created an important foundation for improved mobility and participation. Continued follow-up, rehabilitation and maintenance support can help translate this immediate assistance into lasting benefits for beneficiaries and their families.