Handloom weaving is distinctly a manual process. The technology does not need electric energy to drive the loom and hence can be pursued in remote villages without any hassles. The technology is maintenance and accident free. The weaving operations on handloom are carried out by human using body parts, viz., eyes, hands and legs namely (i) shedding motion operation by legs (ii) picking motion operation by right hand and (iii) beating up motion operation by left hand. Hence, disabled person especially who has lost two legs or one hand will not be able to operate very simple handloom. Taking into account the said facts, BTRA has made certain modifications in existing loom mechanism. Thereby disabled persons who have lost two legs or one hand can operate handloom and gain employment opportunity. Two modified handlooms were developed for different types of disabled persons. Also training was imparted to some disabled persons. This development has been awarded twice. The publications have been brought out on technical report and training guide.
The present types of crutches available in the market have a lacuna in the sense that the person, who uses them while walking, does not get rest in between before reaching the destination and experience fatigue. These crutches provide only a supporting aid for walking. Therefore, BTRA formed a project proposal to provide a resting unit inbuilt in the existing crutches by making suitable modifications at a low cost as well as of light weight. After modification work, BTRA developed successfully a low cost modification to crutches so as to enable a disabled person to rest while walking.