New Delhi, July 20: Come August 14, 2024, and the 16 selected awardees of the 15th edition of NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards will shine with their innovative approaches to championing accessibility for all. Continuing the legacy of honoring and celebrating those who work tirelessly to make the world a better place by promoting the concept and practice of inclusivity, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), in partnership with Mphasis, has announced the names of the 16 changemakers for the Universal Design Awards 2024.
Commending the kind of response this award received this year, with nominations from across the country, Arvind Gupta, jury chair and Former Head of MyGov.in; Current Head & Co-Founder of Digital India Foundation, said, “The future of inclusivity lies in everybody getting equal opportunity. For this, a much larger ecosystem is getting created. We see both AI and assistive technology playing crucial roles in creating a just and equitable world.”
The NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards recognize innovative initiatives that enhance accessibility in four categories, including one special category. The names of the 16 awardees are out, and here are the 16 awardees of the 15th edition:
Persons with Disabilities:
- Dr. Aditya Sanjay Lohiya, Maharashtra
- Swarnlatha, Tamil Nadu
- Minal Singhvi, Telangana
- Anand Mallakkar, Madhya Pradesh
- Ar. Kavya Poornima (Jury Mention), Andhra Pradesh
- Adv. Abhishek Kumar (Jury Mention), Jharkhand
Working Professionals:
Mohd Yasir, Kerala
Sunil Kumar Jain, Karnataka
Hasin Vaidya, Gujarat
Dr. Sagar Bhalerao, (Jury Mention) Maharashtra
Companies/Organizations:
- Akumen Artificial Intelligence, Manipur
- Dextroware Devices Pvt. Ltd, Tamil Nadu
- Museum of Art & Photography, Karnataka
- Orkids Foundation, New Delhi
- National Association for the Blind (NAB), New Delhi
The Javed Abidi Public Policy Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations continuing Shri Javed Abidi’s legacy in promoting Universal Design through advocacy, has been awarded to Radhika Alkazi of New Delhi.
Deepa Nagraj, Senior Vice President & Head-ESG, Sparkle Innovation Ecosystem, and Communications, Mphasis, added, “At Mphasis, we view accessibility as a fundamental cornerstone of every project and its importance in creating solutions that prioritize inclusivity and usability for all users. The Universal Design Award has excelled in recognizing innovators committed to promoting inclusive designs and deepening the understanding of accessibility principles. The 16 awardees have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing accessibility and fostering positive change toward a more inclusive world. We believe that these universal designs enhance, support, and improve the ecosystem in which we live.”
By incorporating universal design principles into the development of assistive technology, it becomes more accessible, user-friendly, customizable, inclusive, and compatible with existing technologies. This helps bridge the digital divide and empowers individuals with disabilities to fully engage in education, employment, communication, and recreational activities. Instituted in 2010 by NCPEDP in association with Mphasis, these awards have been pioneering in spreading awareness and popularizing Universal Design principles.
Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, highlighted the importance of these awards, stating, “The country has been witnessing a growing focus on the disability sector and assistive technology. Yet, these advancements often happen in isolation. We must unite to make India a global leader in disability expertise. With one in three individuals needing assistive products and this number expected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, these awards aim to bridge the gap and empower our diverse society.”
He further extends his gratitude to the six jury members for their expertise and dedication. “I’m thankful to our jury who sifted through 145+ nominations across the country and selected 16 final winners. My sincere thanks to Arvind Gupta, Chairperson NCPEDP and Jury Chair; Deepa Nagraj, Global Head of Communications & Sparkle Innovation Ecosystem at Mphasis; Shilpi Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, Barrier Break; Aravindan Madhava Murthy, Chief Operating Officer ANZ; Huma Masood, Senior Gender Specialist, UNESCO Gender and Education; and Professor Anil Prabhakar, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, for their support and guidance,” he added.