Bengaluru NGOs APD And SRF Wins Bridgestone India’s Mobility Social Impact Award 2025

The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru recognized for their initiative “Rehab on Wheels” under the category ‘Empowerment of Vulnerable communities’ 

Safety Research Foundation from Bengaluru has received jury’s special recommendation for

 their project ‘BRACE’ Under the ‘Road Safety Innovation and excellence’ category

 

The Association of People with Disability (APD), a Bengaluru-based NGO, has been announced as one of the winners at the 5th Edition of Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) 2025. APD received the recognition under the category ‘Empowerment of Vulnerable communities’ for its impactful initiative ‘Rehab on Wheels (ROW)’, which brings comprehensive rehabilitation services to the doorsteps of persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities. It has impacted over 1 million lives through inclusive programs and advocacy.

 

Safety Research Foundation (SRF), Operating in Bengaluru & Maharashtra received the Jury’s recommendation for its BRACE Project, which is transforming school safety through infrastructure upgrades, awareness drives and community engagement.

 

Instituted by Bridgestone India in 2021, the Mobility Social Impact Awards aim to identify, recognize, and promote innovative solutions in sustainable mobility that address social challenges and advance inclusive development through the efforts of not-for-profit organizations. The initiative reflects Bridgestone’s mission of driving social progress through safe and sustainable mobility for all.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hiroshi Yoshizane, Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “At Bridgestone, we believe mobility is not just about movement, it’s about empowering people and enabling progress. The Mobility Social Impact Awards celebrate change makers who are transforming lives through innovative mobility-led solutions. The Association of People with Disability’s work exemplifies this spirit by delivering rehabilitation care directly to those who need it most, making mobility truly inclusive.”

 

The ‘Rehab on Wheels’ initiative by APD has created affordable, accessible rehabilitation care at the last mile, particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged individuals in Bengaluru’s urban and rural areas. Through mobile therapy units, geriatric and orphanage outreach programs, and doorstep wellness camps, the project has provided essential rehabilitation and therapy services to those who otherwise have limited access to such care.

 

Dr. N. S. Senthil Kumar, PhD (Rehab), CEO, The Association of People with Disability, shared, “We are honored to receive this recognition from Bridgestone India. The Rehab on Wheels initiative has redefined access to rehabilitation by ensuring that distance and disability are no longer barriers to care. In the past year alone, we’ve reached hundreds of individuals, helping them lead more independent and dignified lives. This award encourages us to continue expanding our services and partnerships to reach even more people across Karnataka and beyond.”

 

Ms. Jeya Padmanaban, Founding Trustee, SRF said, “At SRF, we believe road safety begins with awareness and community participation. Our BRACE project is designed to make school zones safer through a holistic approach, combining education, engineering improvements, and behavioral change. Receiving the Jury’s Commendation from Bridgestone India is a strong validation of our efforts to build safer environments for children and communities. It motivates us to take this model to more schools across the country.”

 

SRF is a not-for-profit trust dedicated to improving road safety in India through education, engineering, and advocacy. Its flagship BRACE Project has transformed school zones with safety audits, infrastructure upgrades, awareness initiatives and community engagement.

 

The Mobility Social Impact Awards reflect the “Empowerment”, “Ease”, “Emotion” and “ Efficiency” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment,* which outline Bridgestone’s corporate commitment to contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all (Empowerment), to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life (Ease), inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility ( Emotion) and maximizing productivity through the advancement of mobility ( Efficiency). Through initiatives like MSIA, Bridgestone continues to advance its mission of “Serving Society with Superior Quality” by driving positive change and building safer, more inclusive communities across India.

About Bridgestone India:

Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd, a group company of Bridgestone Corporation, started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyreson Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. The Indore plant rolled out its 100 million tyre in 2023. In a short stint of more than 25 years, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.

About Bridgestone Corporation:

Bridgestone is a global leader in tyres and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tyres and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

*The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight unique Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.