National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People

Disabled People Call for Political Recognition and Action

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Lack of Data & Invisibility of Persons with Disabilities

Disability continues to remain largely absent from data collection, monitoring mechanisms, and mainstream development narratives. This invisibility often results in development narratives unintentionally leaving out persons with disabilities. Policymakers and practitioners tend to leave out persons with disabilities due to the unavailability of data.  They continue to remain discriminated against which also reduces their access to social services and creates a general lack of recognition.

To work towards “Leave No-one Behind” and create awareness around the millions of persons with disabilities missing from education, employment, sports, and recreation to name a few.
  1. Creating awareness around the missing millions of persons with disabilities
  2. Sharing story or experience of discrimination and exclusion
  3. Charting advocacy campaigns to find the missing millions

Creating visibility and awareness around the issues faced by persons with disabilities before a larger audience.

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)

The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London
LSEG Logo
Logo - Missing Million Campaign

NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards

The Helen Keller Awards started in 1999 as a result of the findings of a survey conducted of the Top 100 Companies of India by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). The results showed that the average percentage of employment of people with disabilities was as follows: in the public sector: 0.54 per cent; in the private sector: 0.28 per cent; and in the multinationals: 0.05 per cent. While the situation has improved to some extent in the past decade and a half, we are still not even close to covering half the percentage of persons with disabilities living in the country.
The goal of the NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards was to start a discourse on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in the area of employment at a time when no one was even thinking about it. Organisations and employees with disabilities would become brand ambassadors for the cause of employment of persons with disabilities and take the momentum forward and role models would be identified and celebrated in an attempt to motivate and encourage others.

The Awards are given away under the following 6 categories:

Category A: Role Model Persons with Disabilities
Persons with Disabilities from within the disability sector and outside who have been active as ambassadors of the cause of employment for people with disabilities and are positive role models for others.

Category B: Role Model Supporter of Increased Employment Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities

Individuals from within the disability sector or outside who have contributed substantially to the cause of promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities over an extended period.

Category C: Role Model Companies/Institutions/ Organizations
Organizations from the disability sector or outside who have shown their commitment towards promoting equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Role Model Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Entrepreneurs with disabilities who have managed to set up businesses and sustained them over a period of time. The efforts of these individuals have positively impacted not only their lives but also the lives of others involved.

This category was added in 2021 and 3 awards are given under this category, across the country.

Role Model Media Award for Disability Inclusive Journalism: This category recognizes media professional who has reported on and advocated for equalemployment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

1 award will be given in this category nationwide.

NCPEDP HELEN KELLER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : This award honors individual with or without disability who has made significant societal
impacts through his/her work and has actively promoted equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

1 Lifetime Achievement Award will be given in this category.

Note: This award is not open for nominations, as it is selected by a distinguished panel of judges.

Over the past 25 years, these Awards have come to be recognised as the most prestigious Indian benchmark for honouring people and organisations which have been working towards promoting employment opportunities for person with disabilities.

logo of THE NCPEDP - LTIMINDTREE HELEN KELLER AWARDS

The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards

The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards are conferred on individuals and organizations in 4 categories who have created an impact on accessibility and Universal Design in a personal or professional capacity.
In developing countries like India, this concept of accessibility and Universal Design has yet to attain popularity and that is what the Universal Design Awards do every year with a view to spreading awareness and popularizing the concept.
The disability rights movement advocates equal access for people with disabilities to social, political, and economic life, which includes not only physical access but access to the same tools, services, organisations and facilities which we all pay for. Over the years, accessibility has become the fulcrum of the global disability rights movement. 
A concept that is intrinsic to any kind of access is ‘Universal Design’, which means a design that is usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of age, ability, or situation.
Instituted in 2010 by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) in partnership with Mphasis, the Awards have been recognised as the benchmark for best practices for accessibility for all, promoting local solutions with a focus on affordability, accessibility and scale.

The Universal Design Awards aim to spread awareness of accessibility and Universal Design. Every year, the awards are given away to those who have been doing exemplary work for these causes, thus ensuring a life of equality and dignity for people with disabilities across the country.

The Awards cover accessibility in the following fields:

  1. Built Environment
  2. Transport
  3. Information and Communication Technology
  4. Services
  5. Aids and Appliances
  6. Public Policy and Advocacy

To carry on Mr Abidi’s legacy, the Javed Abidi Public Policy Award was instituted in 2018. This award is given to an organization and an individual for their pioneering work in ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to the same opportunities and rights as all other citizens of India.

The Universal Design Awards have gained recognition and credibility over time which have encouraged more and more people to work in the field of Access and Universal Design.
Mphasis
Pan India

Q. What are the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards?
The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exemplary work in the areas of accessibility and universal design.
Q. What is Universal Design?
Universal design is a design that is usable by the largest possible audience, irrespective of age, disability, or other factors, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
Q. Who can apply for the Universal Design Awards?
Any individual or organization working to create an impact in the field of accessibility and universal design, whether in a personal or professional capacity, can apply for the awards.
Q. What are the eligibility criteria to apply for Universal Design Awards across different categories?
Any individual or organization based in India with demonstrated experience in the fields of universal design and accessibility is invited to apply for the awards.
Q. How can one file an application for the awards?
Applicants must fill in the Google form available on our website and social media platforms corresponding to the relevant category. Alternatively, the form can also be downloaded in Word format from the website and emailed to uda.ncpedp@gmail.com.
Q. What are third party testimonials?
Third-party testimonials are independent endorsements that validate the applicant’s work and the value of their product or service.
Q. What is the nomination process for the Universal Design Awards?
The nominator must provide information regarding the candidate’s profile and work through the Google application forms.
Q. Can an applicant who was not shortlisted for the award reapply for the next edition of the Universal Design Awards?
Yes, applicants may reapply for subsequent editions of the Universal Design Awards.
Q. How can applicants be informed about their selection?
Selected applicants will be notified through email at each stage of the selection process by our team, informing them of the status of their application.
Q. Is there a waiting period for former awardees before they can file a nomination again?

Yes, former awardees are eligible to file nominations again only after a period of three years.
Q. If an Individual is both a person with disability and a working professional, under which category should they file their application?
An individual who is both a person with disability and a working professional should file their nomination under Category A: Person with Disability.
Q. How many awards are given in each category?
A total of 11 awards are distributed across four categories: 3 Awards each under Category A and B, and 4 awards under Category C. In exceptional cases, jury appreciation awards may also be granted within these categories. Additionally, 1 organization or individual is awarded the Javed Abidi Public Policy Award.
Q. Is there any monetary compensation or reward associated with the awards?
No, monetary compensation is not provided. However, the accommodation and travelling expenses of the awardees for the award ceremony are taken care of.
Q. What supporting documents are required to apply for the awards?
Applicant must submit the following documents:

  1. Disability certificate (if applicable)
  2. A high-resolution photograph of the nominee (for individuals) or the company logo (for organizations)
  3. Photographs or Media Coverage showcasing the nominee’s work
  4. Third Party Testimonials (if available)

Q. What is the selection process for universal design awards?
The selection process for the awards is as follows:

  1. Our committee of experts conducted a thorough review of the application forms, leading to the initial shortlisting of candidates.
  2. Detailed background checks are conducted to obtain additional information or clarification regarding the applications.
  3. An esteemed jury panel undertakes the final scrutiny of the shortlisted applications.

Q. Who is eligible to be a nominator?
Any Indian national familiar with the candidate and their work can nominate an individual or organization for the award.
Q. What is the Javed Abidi Public Policy Award?
The Javed Abidi Public Policy Award honors individuals and organizations who continue the legacy of Mr. Late Javed Abidi by promoting universal design through their advocacy efforts. This award recognizes one organization and one individual for their groundbreaking work in creating a level playing field for people with disabilities.
Q. What does an applicant receive upon winning the Universal Design Awards?
An awardee receives an illustrious trophy and certificate of appreciation. Additionally, association with Universal Design Awards, along with the recognition and accreditation from NCPEDP adds value to the applicant’s portfolio. Furthermore, it provides a platform to network with leading individuals and organizations dedicated to disability inclusion.
Q. Who can I contact for any queries or questions related to the awards?
Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the information available on our website. For further queries or doubts, please write to us at uda.ncpedp@gmail.com.

Logo of NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards

The NCPEDP-AIF Walk to Freedom

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (earlier International Day of Disabled Persons/World Disability Day) has been celebrated every year on 3rd December since 1992. Proclaimed and promoted by the United Nations, this international observance has marked the world over to intensify efforts aimed at sustained effective action with a view to improving the situation of persons with disabilities.
The celebrations are a means to come together, to debate and discuss the achievements of the disability sector and the way ahead. They provide a platform to engage other stakeholders, to share issues affecting people with disabilities and to work together to find and implement solutions to calibrate the way forward in a manner that ensures inclusion of people with disabilities in all future developments and policies adopted across Governments and the private sector.
We invite everyone – corporates, schools, colleges, universities, and others to join the many thousands of disabled people to walk in solidarity and in ‘Celebrating Inclusion’. The celebrations conclude with a short ‘Walk To Freedom’, symbolic of the work that yet needs to be done to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream society, allowing them to live their life with dignity and equality.
Creating visibility and awareness around the issues and concerns of people with disabilities among the masses at large.
American India Foundation (AIF)
India Gate, New Delhi
logo of Walk to Freedom

National Convention for Youth with Disabilities (NCYD)

Youth with disabilities often failed to voice their opinions and highlight their issues amongst the larger disability movement. To bridge this gap, NCPEDP had launched the NCYD to reach out to the youth with disabilities in the country.
The objective of the Convention is to expose the youth with disabilities to the social sector movement in India, including disability and other allied fields. This would help in identifying and inspiring the next generation leadership, not just in the Indian disability sector but across other sectors as well.
The Convention is held post an in-house survey of the top universities and colleges of India on the Status of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education. These universities and educational institutions are requested to nominate one male and one female student with disabilities for the Convention. The nominations go through a screening process and then the shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in the Convention. The Convention usually has around 50 – 75 participants from the top Universities and Colleges across the country and includes addresses and interactive sessions with well known voices of the social sector (including social entrepreneurs), senior leaders from the corporate world, bureaucrats and politicians to give a sense of direction to the disabled youth of our nation and to groom them into being ambassadors of change in whatever field they choose to enter after completing their education and in turn ensure that their stories help in creating more awareness and in breaking stereotypes of welfare and charity that are unfortunately still associated with disability in our society.
Advocated towards breaking the stereotype of a charity model towards people with disabilities.
The Hans Foundation (2013, 2014 and 2015), Accenture (2017)
Pan India
logo of National Convention for Youth with Disabilities (NCYD)