Namaste
During my time at college on the outskirts of Delhi, I noticed something that changed my perspective on accessibility.
A close friend who used a wheelchair struggled every day to reach the metro station — the same route that the rest of us covered effortlessly via e-rickshaw.
The metro itself was accessible, but the last mile — that small stretch between the campus and the station — was not. Watching her face this obstacle daily made me realize how inaccessibility isn’t always about absence of infrastructure, but gaps in its usability.
That moment became the seed for Divyangantra — a project that aims to bridge the last-mile gap for people with mobility disabilities.
Why this topic?
Overview
Mobility is freedom — but for many individuals with disabilities, moving freely through the city remains an everyday challenge. Despite Delhi’s investments of over ₹500 crore in accessibility infrastructure, large parts of the city still remain inaccessible for people with mobility impairments.
This project, Divyangantra, reimagines last-mile travel through inclusive service design — combining empathy, technology, and user-centered innovation to empower independent mobility for wheelchair users.
Abstract
As the emphasis on accessible design gains prominence in the physical environment, it is imperative to acknowledge that the streets of Delhi remain inadequately equipped to facilitate independent travel for individuals with mobility impairments. Despite the allocation of a substantial budget exceeding 500 crore rupees for the development of accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities, a significant portion of this demographic continues to grapple with challenges in achieving independent mobility on par with their fully abled counterparts.
This paper introduces an innovative service in India that addresses the mobility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. This paper outlines the service's concept, design, and implementation, emphasizing its potential to enhance the quality of life for people with mobility disabilities and contribute to a more inclusive urban environment.
28M+
People with disability in India
Do not prefer using public transport
80%
Research Approach
The project followed a double diamond process, adapted for social and service design.
1. Discover:
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30 participants contributed through interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
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Shadowing sessions captured the lived experiences of daily commuters using wheelchairs.
2. Define:
Through affinity mapping, the team identified critical barriers to independent mobility:
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Poor neighborhood infrastructure
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High cost of private transport
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Lack of awareness and empathy in public systems
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Disconnect between policy and real-world implementation
The Challenge
Even in India’s capital, accessible transport often ends before it truly begins.
While Delhi Metro and buses are labeled as “PWD-friendly,” reaching them remains a challenge due to:
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Uneven and poorly maintained pavements
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Non-accessible e-rickshaws and shared autos
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Lack of reliable, affordable, short-distance options
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Limited empathy and awareness among drivers
This gap prevents wheelchair users from traveling independently, making everyday commutes expensive, inconvenient, and emotionally exhausting.
HOW MIGHT WE
How might we make short-distance travel to public transport accessible, affordable, and empowering for people with motor disabilities?
Design Direction : Bridging the Gap
From these insights emerged Divyangantra — a service that combines:
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A tandem companion bike integrated with an attachable/detachable wheelchair, designed for short-distance travel.
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A mobile app that enables users to book rides, track availability in real-time, and ensure accessibility at every touchpoint.
Together, they create a seamless mobility ecosystem, connecting wheelchair users to public transport with dignity and ease.
Check out this video to know more about the project :)
Prototyping Experience
The service was designed with three priorities in mind:
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Safety and Stability – A secure locking mechanism for the wheelchair-bike attachment.
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Simplicity – App design based on accessibility guidelines (high contrast, large tap zones, voice assistance).
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Empathy-led Operations – Drivers trained to understand and support differently abled passengers with care and sensitivity.
Community feedback played a key role throughout testing, helping refine usability and ergonomics.
Impact
Divyangantra redefines what independence can look like for people with mobility disabilities:
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Empowered Users: Enables self-sufficient, safe, and affordable mobility.
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Inclusive Design: Integrates physical and digital design for holistic accessibility.
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Urban Transformation: Moves the narrative of accessibility from policy to practice.
Beyond its functional goals, Divyangantra symbolizes freedom, dignity, and equal participation in the urban experience.
Limitations & Future Scope
Currently, the system is optimized for individual users and focuses primarily on rehabilitative mobility.
Future iterations will explore companionship options, broader city-scale integration, and partnerships with local municipalities to bring inclusive last-mile design to reality.
Reflections
Designing Divyangantra taught me that accessibility is not a feature — it’s a mindset.
It’s about designing for people, not problems — and creating systems where independence feels effortless.