Our story
About Us
Experience in empowering persons with disabilities.
Our founder
Simon George
Experience in empowering persons with disabilities.
Simon George was paralysed from the waist down in 1986, while studying for B Tech at MA College of Engineering Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. He met his disability with a positive mind, and has worked for the empowerment of persons with disabilities since 1990. He has organised many events, including pre-matrimonial meets for choosing life partners, mass marriages, job fairs, exhibitions, seminars, cultural programs and campaigns for accessibility. Pre-matrimonial meets and mass marriages of persons with disabilities were covered by BBC and CNN.
He gave many suggestions to the government for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, and the government implemented them. He worked to bring accessibility everywhere. The High Court of Kerala and many offices made their buildings accessible at his request. At his request, the Government of India ordered in 2008 that accessible rooms with toilets were mandatory for three-star and higher category hotels. The government also brought accessibility to public places and railways.
Documentary film
A film from Norway
The film students from Norway came to Kochi and made a documentary film about him and his activities. They got international awards for that.
Why we exist
Our mission
Mission
Empowering persons with disabilities and elderly people — opening the way to independence, opportunity and a new start.
Vision
An India where persons with disabilities join the mainstream of society and live self-sufficient lives.
Organiser
Walshal Abilities And Assistive Technologies Private Limited, Kochi, Kerala. walshal.com
Year by year
The journey
- 1986
A turning point
Paralysed from the waist down while studying for B Tech at MA College of Engineering Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district, Kerala.
- 1990
Work begins
Working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities since 1990 — pre-matrimonial meets, mass marriages, job fairs, exhibitions, seminars, cultural programs and campaigns for accessibility. Covered by BBC and CNN.
- 2008
Accessible hotels
At his request, the Government of India ordered in 2008 that accessible rooms with toilets were mandatory for three-star and higher category hotels.
- 2015
Mphasis Award
Simon George was honoured for his accessible India campaign with the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award 2015 by Hon. Union Minister of Railways Mr. Suresh Prabhu at an award ceremony at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on 14 August 2015.
- 2015
Accessible India Award
Simon George was honoured for his accessible India Campaign (To make India accessible) by Mr. Oommen Chandy, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala on 12 September 2015 at Kochi.
- 2018
Presentation on accessible road transport
He gave a PowerPoint presentation on accessible road transport in New Delhi on 30 May 2018. The Government of India accepted many of his suggestions and is working to implement them.
- 2018
Memorandum for accessible tourism
He gave a memorandum to Hon. Union Minister for Tourism Mr. K. J. Alphons on 30 May 2018 at New Delhi, to bring accessible tourism in India to an international level. Following his suggestions, the Government of India is working to introduce accessible tourism in India.
- 2018
Presentation & workshops
Simon George gave a PowerPoint presentation on accessible tourism for the Government of Kerala on 27 June 2018 at Thiruvananthapuram. Through his consistent efforts Government of Kerala is introducing ‘Accessible Tourism’ as a special service to promote tourism of persons with disabilities in the State. He conducted workshops for government officials and university students on accessible tourism.
- 2022
Access Abilities Expo in Dubai
Attended Dubai Accessible Travel and Tourism International Summit in November 2022 as a delegate from India.
- 2025
1st Edition
Abilities India Expo 1st Edition, Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kochi, Kerala · 31 January – 2 February 2025.
- 2026
2nd Edition
KTPO International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Bengaluru · 20 – 22 December 2026. Both B2B and B2C.
Flywings Megashow
Flywings Megashow Team
Simon George started a mega show team of artists with disabilities. There are many talented artists among persons with disabilities, but many of them do not have opportunities. Flywings Megashow is promoting them. They can perform a wide range of forms, including music, cinematic dance, comedy, drama, magic shows, wheelchair dance, classical dance and classical music. They can sing in many languages.
Cultural Fest
November 2022
Access Abilities Expo in Dubai
Attended Dubai Accessible Travel and Tourism International Summit in November 2022 as a delegate from India.
The company
Walshal Abilities And Assistive Technologies Private Limited
CIN – U82300KL2023PTC080913
Empowering persons with disabilities and providing services for the elderly in India is the main objective of Walshal Abilities and Assistive Technologies Private Limited — opening the way to independence, opportunity and a new start.
The launch of Walshal Abilities and Assistive Technologies Private Limited will be a milestone in the life of persons with disabilities in India who are waiting for opportunities and assistive technologies to overcome the limitations of their disability and succeed in their lives. The latest assistive technology products, services and digital resources can help them to overcome the limitations of disabilities and succeed. Our company will help them enter the mainstream of society and become self-sufficient. Our company will find solutions for disability, mobility, accessibility and self-sufficiency by introducing new assistive technologies and creating unlimited opportunities.
Our Objectives
- Organising Abilities India Expos
- Research, manufacture and market different equipment using assistive technology for persons with disabilities, elderly people and people who are unwell
- Providing accessible tourism services
- Accessible cab services
- Services for the elderly
- Constructing accessible homes and buildings
- Marketing products made by persons with disabilities
- Consulting services related to persons with disabilities for startups, companies, local government bodies and government departments