Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Employment
  • Handicrops, India’s first company founded by disabled people, set to spread outside Kerala

Handicrops, India’s first company founded by disabled people, set to spread outside Kerala

Employment March 10, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

From colorful paper pens in the Indian tricolor to floor mats in festive colors, the products sold by Kerala’s Handicrops Divyanga Impex Limited (HDIL) have acquired quite a name. Few people know of the incredible story behind this public limited company based in Kerala.

Formed with the stated mission of empowering artisans with disabilities, HDIl aims to highlight their creative talents and offer them a platform to showcase their skills and earn a livelihood. The company has eight directors, of whom five are wheelchair users.

The founder of HDIL Lekha Kumar hit upon the idea of starting an enterprise to empower people with disabilities after a chance encounter with disabled people. “I noticed that there were many disabled persons who had products but couldn’t market them due to mobility issues. So, I created a Facebook group for them called Handicrops”.

I started Handicrops as a Facebook group to promote products made by people with disabilities. We trained 5,000 differently abled people around Kerala. There are about a thousand people making paper pens, paper bags, umbrellas, seed bags. cloth bags, mats etc. We sold 12 lakh paper seed pen in less than two hours. This way people can earn a livelihood sitting at homes. Even their dependants are associated with it. – Lekha Kumar, Founder, Handicrops Divyanga Impex Limited (HDIL)

HDIL also has a brand of nature friendly projects which enables the tribal community in Kerala. “They make cotton bags and varieties of cotton mats and we are also promoting recycled paper note pads and paper straws”, says Kumar. In the future there are plans to launch biodegradable sanitary napkins and reusable pad.

Inclusive in every sense

The initiative is inclusive in spirit, as it reaches out to not just people with disabilities but people from economically backward communities. Since it was launched in 2017, it has reached out to 200 people in different districts of Kerala. Over 6,000 people have been trained as well.

Like Thaha from Thiruvananthapuram who suffered a severe spinal injury in a fall. Although his mobility was affected, his resolve was not. Thaha started making umbrellas and electronic items and earns a livelihood. “With my earnings I am able to support my family of three. Thanks to HDIL I have been able to find a market for my goods”.

Like Thaha, there are many members of HDIL who make paper pens, LED bulbs, paper bags, umbrellas, handmade soaps, jewellery and handicrafts. They sell directly as well as online. Mustafa Paramban, Managing Director, HDILwho is bedridden due to spinal muscular atrophy, is happy that his gift for making umbrellas has enabled him to become independent. “This has become a permanent source of income for me and I can support my family”, he says.

“We have been approached by the governments of Gujarat and Odisha to start a company there”, says Kumar. Clearly HDIL’s mission to challenge common assumptions about people with disabilities and push boundaries is finding resonance with more people.

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day
  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
  • Get-hooked
    Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Autism no barrier for Kuhu, who crafts the most amazing jewellery designs

Get-hooked

Poet-activist Abhishek Anicca looks to trigger conversations about disability with spoken word poem

Get-hooked

Understanding Dyslexia

Get-hooked

Understanding Pain Awareness

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.