Coimbatore: Sarathi eases mobility for differently abled in Coimbatore
Coimbatore: About a-year-and-a-half ago, Coimbatore-based Swarga Foundation that works to improve lives of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neuro-muscular disorders by increasing awareness among the general public to transform attitudes, launched ‘Sarathi’, to ease their mobility. The facility is a wheelchair transportable service that provides safe, convenient and reliable commutes for any individual with a mobility impairment or senior citizens to any location of choice within and outside the city. During the month of August, to commemorate Independence Day, founders of this NGO are offering beneficiaries a free ride (drop and pick up) all through the month on all days between 8 am and 8 pm by prior booking and depending on the availability.
Services are otherwise chargeable. Anand Selveraj, project coordinator shares with DC “to the best of my knowledge no hospital, public, private or service organization offers service to transport the disabled or senior citizens in a comfortable manner.”Calling it Tamil Nadu's first wheelchair accessible transportation service Anand said, “Sarathi- Mobility Redefined 2.0, will provide safe, convenient and reliable commutes for any individual with a mobility impairment or senior citizens to any location of choice within and outside the city.”
Ever since the transport system was introduced, it has helped several differently-abled persons and the elder people travel with dignity and comfort in and around the city. A majority of the beneficiaries use the service to visit the doctor, travel within the city and to travel long distance.Keeping the users in mind, the interiors of the van are redesigned to accommodate one wheelchair, two independent seats, a 6? x 2? long sofa bed and a chemical toilet with a swivel seat.
The driver of the van is trained and is sensitized to assist wheelchair users. He is especially trained to handle with ease, patients who suffer different kinds of disability.The interiors of the vehicle are designed so that the traveler is comfortable throughout the journey, regardless of the duration. Under ‘Sarathi’ currently there is one van in service, available on all days of the week between 7 am and 10 pm and can be booked for travel even outside of Coimbatore.
