The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Designs Awards 2023
We’re thrilled to have honored 14 exceptional innovators at the 14th NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards. For over a decade, these awards have recognized the outstanding work of those breaking barriers for people with disabilities and promoting inclusivity across India.
In a powerful video address, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel, highlighted the importance of involving every segment of India’s 1.4 billion population in our journey toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2030.
The award ceremony was graced by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, who commended the awardees for their commendable efforts in promoting accessibility and assistive technology.
I want UDID to be as widely used as UPI are being used in India. We are trying to make better policies, better environment, and accessible elections for persons with disability in the country - Rajesh Aggarwal, Union Secretary
Embracing a legacy of 13 years, the 14th NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards honor 170+ individuals and organizations for their impactful contributions, heralding a future of boundless inclusivity and endless possibilities.
It's our honour to be associated with NCPEDP from the last 13 yrs for UDA. We celebrate our shared aim of promoting & supporting accessibility to make an inclusive ecosystem -Deepa Nagraj Global Head of Comm & Sparkle Innovation Ecosystem @Mphasis
We extend our gratitude to our esteemed jury members who played a crucial role in selecting these outstanding awardees: Arvind Gupta (Jury Chair), Sarojini Subbiah (CSR Head, Mphasis), Shilpi Kapoor (CEO, BarrierBreak), Anshu Gupta (Founder-Director, Goonj ), Nidhi Bhasin (CEO, nasscom foundation ) and Rama Lakshmi (Senior Editor, ThePrint).
As these awards mark their 14th year, they serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive world, where accessibility barriers are not hindering equitable participation of persons with disabilities.
Our gratitude to Mphasis for their continued commitment to celebrating these remarkable individuals and institutions. Let’s keep driving innovation in assistive technologies and create a more inclusive and accessible future for all.
Accessible Society: Still a distant dream for Persons with Disabilities
The recently launched Global Report on assistive Technology(GReAT) also highlights how adopting universal design and fostering the use of assistive products when needed can help improve functional ability thereby increasing accessibility.
Disability and Gender: An Intersectional Lens
Women and girls with disabilities are not an homogenous group and hence, the discrimination faced by them is also layered based on their socio-economic identities
The Cost of Living with a Disability
Living with a disability, usually, comes at an added cost. While the chances of disabled people earning as much as non-disabled people are slim, the probability of them spending more than an average non-disabled counterpart is very high
The Reality of People with Disabilities in India
Most of the World around us is designed by and for non-disabled people. It is very difficult for people with disabilities to navigate and function in this world.
Reel vs Real: Media Portrayal of Persons With Disabilities
The inaccurate representation of people with disabilities often promotes ‘othering’ as the media discerns the information regarding them as prejudiced, stereotyped and sensationalist.
Judith Heumann – Interview Transcript
The interview was conducted with Ms Judith Heumann, disability rights advocate at the Harkin Summit, Belfast, Ireland, by Mr Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP. The summit brings together key champions and implementers from around the world to increase the employment of people with disabilities. Judith (Judy) Heumann is a lifelong