A foundation built on dignity.
SMART Foundation is a registered non-profit committed to inclusive development and disability empowerment across India.
SMART Foundation works to ensure that persons with disabilities receive the knowledge, skills, independence and equal opportunities they deserve. Our initiatives have positively touched thousands of lives across Tamil Nadu and beyond: from wheelchair distributions that restore mobility, to scholarships that keep students in classrooms, to the first interactive rehabilitation hub inside Stanley Medical College and Hospital.
Under the leadership of Dr. S. M. Abinaya, the Foundation has grown into a nationally recognised organisation, earning the trust of government bodies, CSR partners and communities alike. Every rupee is accounted for, every programme is audited, and every outcome is measured against the lives it changes.
Mission
Promoting health, hygiene, education, livelihood and improved standards of living through inclusive community development.
Vision
Empowering the differently-abled with knowledge, skills, independence and equal opportunities in society.
Ability is universal. Opportunity is not.
Millions of Indians with disabilities are held back not by their condition, but by missing wheelchairs, missing therapy, missing classrooms and missing awareness. We exist to close that gap: device by device, child by child, community by community.
What we hold ourselves to.
Dignity first
Every beneficiary is a partner in their own progress, never a passive recipient. We design programmes around what people can do.
Accountability
Audited books, measured outcomes and transparent reporting to every partner. Trust is our most important asset.
Inclusion
We work across the full spectrum of ability, from physical and sensory to intellectual and developmental, and across every community.
Partnership
Government hospitals, CSR teams, colleges and volunteers: lasting change is built together, never alone.
Guided by experience and conviction.
Dr. S. M. Abinaya
A Doctorate in Law from National Law University Tiruchirappalli, with postgraduate qualifications in corporate law, human rights, counselling, social work and special education, and over 14 years at the Madras High Court. As CSR Senior Consultant at NIEPMD from 2017 to 2023 she mobilised over ₹15 crore for disability-centric initiatives and directed the distribution of assistive resources to more than 10,000 beneficiaries. She is a recipient of the Star Volunteer Award from United Way Chennai and was honoured by the District Collector on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Thiru. S. Vijayaraghavan
A finance and audit professional with over 30 years in government financial systems. Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, qualified in the Subordinate Audit Service under the Indian Audit & Accounts Department. Having held senior roles such as Deputy Director and Assistant Director (Internal Audit), and served at NIEPMD, he ensures robust financial discipline and efficient use of CSR funds.
Board of Trustees
Advocate with over 30 years of service in social work and a former General Council Member at NIEPMD under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Provides strategic direction, governance oversight and legal guidance.
Retired Office Superintendent at Chennai Port with 30 years of experience. Strengthens the Foundation's administrative systems and community outreach.
Social activist with 7 years of experience in women empowerment, leading initiatives on gender inclusion and community development.
Social activist with 5 years of grassroots experience in community engagement and social service delivery.
Core team
A legal professional and University Gold Medalist from the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, School of Excellence in Law. She leads governance and project development, providing direction in legal oversight, project design, proposal development and partnership management.
A dedicated Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Professional with a Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy from NIEPMD, Chennai. He supports therapeutic interventions, community outreach and caregiver empowerment, with expertise in neurodevelopmental therapy, virtual-reality-based rehabilitation and hydrotherapy.
Holds a B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) from SRM School of Law, with a strong foundation in legal research, regulatory compliance and contract drafting. He supports project development, strategic partnerships and fund mobilisation, liaising with corporate partners, government agencies and community stakeholders.
A graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering with 5 years of experience in program support and digital operations. Working remotely, he supports SMART initiatives through structured, technology-enabled processes.
Milestones on the road so far.
A landmark year
Nutritious meal distribution at the Government Children Home for Boys, Ranipet in February; the iFIT Hub inaugurated at Government Stanley Medical College in March, the first interactive rehabilitation hub in Stanley Medical College and Hospital; and honours at the VIRUKSH CSR Summit.
Deeper, more personal support
Multipurpose wheelchairs for 20 beneficiaries with spinal cord injuries, Smart Aids for persons with visual impairment, parental orientation at Little Seeds Therapy Centre, school awareness at Dhamal Village and HRD scholarships at NIEPMD.
Working with government
Learning materials handed over through the District Collector at the Thiruvannamalai Collectorate, TLM distribution on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and the Star Volunteer Award from United Way Chennai.
Education across three states
Teaching Learning Material kits distributed across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and mental-health awareness walkathons organised with United Way Chennai.
Health reaches the doorstep
Cancer screening camps with Rotary and Ramachandra College, the World Diabetes Day camp at NIEPMD, legal awareness programmes on the RPwD Act, and recognition by the Kancheepuram District Collector.
Mobility at scale
First-phase distribution of NeoMotion wheelchair bikes on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UPS units installed at the CRC skill development centre in Lucknow, and food distribution at blood donation camps.
Honours received
District Collector honour
Recognised by the Kancheepuram District Collector on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
2023Star Volunteer Award
Awarded by United Way Chennai for outstanding voluntary contributions to the community.
2024VIRUKSH 2026
Honoured at the Ujjivan Small Finance Bank CSR Summit in Bangalore for UN SDG-aligned impact.
2026Be part of the next milestone.
Whether you bring time, funds or a CSR mandate, there is a place for you in this work.