Who we are
ABOUT US
Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre (MAARDEC) is a registered non-profit organization established in April 1991 Mr. Cosmas I. B. Okoli, a Nigerian with disability.
The centre was established as a charity arm of Cosokoli Ventures Nigeria Limited for research and development for mobility aids and appliances for persons with disabilities with subsidized rates, and outright donations in some cases.
However, the centre shortly after establishment transformed into an independent non-government and non-profit organization.
On 30th January 1992, MAARDEC was officially commissioned by the then president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
Since inception, the centre has transformed millions of lives of people with disabilities and has successfully developed and produced various types of mobility aids and appliances such as the award winning Cosokoli-Hand-Control-Mobilizer (for people with lower limb paralysis to drive with hands only), wheelchairs, crutches, leg braces, walking frames, equipment for the blind and other hospital equipment such as trolleys, couches etc.
The centre also provides physiotherapy services and free guidance and counseling services for people with disabilities and their family members; carries out mass enlightenment programmes to educate the general public on the proper attitude towards persons with disabilities, plight and prospects of people with disabilities thus, fostering a conducive environment for people with disabilities to maximize their abilities.
Assistance in job creation and placement for people with disabilities, training of persons with disabilities in small scale production of mobility aids and appliances, initiate charities and programmes aimed at, among others, to provide indigent persons with disabilities the right mobility aids and appliances free of charge, discourage street begging and build their self esteem. MAARDEC also pays attention to promotion of sports for persons with disabilities.
MISSION STATEMENT
To empower people with disabilities through the provision of innovative and affordable mobility aids and appliances to ensure that they are socially, economically and politically relevant in the society.
VISION STATEMENT
Ensure that 500,000 Nigerians with disabilities acquire efficient and sustainable mobility aids and appliances by the year 2015 with 4,000 of them gainfully employed; 2,000 of them married and 200 of them either elected or appointed into various positions at federal, state and local governments
OUR GOALS
- Ensure that a privately funded, non-government empowerment village which is technology driven is built to standard and equipped with modern facilities by year 2015
- Ensure the financial autonomy of MAARDEC by the year 2015.
- Build a core of competent employees who are innovative and proactive to meet the peculiar needs of our clientele.
- Help to eliminate social, cultural and environmental barriers and prejudices against persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
- Help Nigerians with disabilities adjust to normal social and economic lives and contribute to national development
- Initiate programmes and collaborate with governments at various levels to create an enabling environment for rehabilitation and empowerment of people with disabilities by the year 2015
- Collaborate with relevant government agencies and organization to ensure minimization of the causes of disabilities, particularly accidents and preventable diseases by the year 2015.
