The Association of People with Disability - India

21/05/2026

Can India’s digital revolution truly be inclusive if millions of persons with disabilities are still unable to access essential digital services?
In his latest article for YourStory, Sukanto Aich, CEO of The Association of People with Disability (APD), reflects on 10 years of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and asks an urgent question: are we building a Digital India that works for everyone?
As the world marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), it is a timely reminder that digital access and inclusion are not optional, they are essential to ensuring equal participation for persons with disabilities.
From banking apps and healthcare platforms to AI-powered tools, accessibility cannot remain an afterthought. It must be embedded at every stage - Design, Develop, and Deliver.
Inclusion begins when persons with disabilities are not just users of technology, but active contributors to how it is imagined, designed, and built.
The future of Digital India must be accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all.
Read the full article here: https://yourstory.com/socialstory/2026/05/10-years-after-rpwd-is-indias-digital-revolution-truly-inclusive-

2026 marks ten years of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, legislation that promised equality, accessibility, dignity, and full participation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across all areas of life.

21/05/2026

Accessibility is not an add-on, it is a right.

Pleased to share that The Association of People with Disability was featured on the DD Morning Show, where Dr. Bhumika Modh (Head of Policy Research and Collaborations) spoke about global accessibility awareness and the importance of designing, developing and operating with inclusion at the centre of building systems and structures that work for everyone.

The conversation highlighted the importance of the Rajiv Raturi vs Union of India judgment, which called for assessing accessibility across all states in India. In response, APD contributed to the multi-stakeholder report submitted to the Supreme Court and identified key accessibility gaps in transportation. The discussion also emphasised the significance of the upcoming Non-Negotiable Minimum Standards for Accessibility across the built environment, transportation and digital accessibility, helping create a more inclusive society where everyone can participate with confidence, dignity and independence.

Watch the full segment here: https://youtu.be/SJ80iy_5Slo?si=fmu0F2k_iK_canxw

20/05/2026

It began with courage. It became a movement.

As The Association of People with Disability (APD) celebrates its 67th Foundation Day, we remember the extraordinary vision of our founder, Ms. N.S. Hema.

At a time when disability was often met with stigma, silence, and limited opportunity, Ms. Hema chose action. What began in 1959 as a small effort rooted in lived experience, compassion, and determination grew into a movement for dignity, rehabilitation, rights, and inclusion.

In Wheels of Destiny, she wrote of life as a bouquet - filled with fragrance, color, and “a thorn or two.” That spirit of resilience continues to define APD’s journey even today.

Her vision was never about charity. It was about possibility. It was about creating a world where persons with disabilities could access care, education, skills, livelihoods, opportunity, and choice.

Sixty-seven years later, her legacy lives on in every child supported, every barrier challenged, every skill built, every life touched, and every person who moves forward with dignity.

This Foundation Day, we honor Ms. N.S. Hema and the many hands that helped carry her dream forward families, staff, donors, partners, communities, and persons with disabilities themselves.

What began with one woman’s courage continues as a collective movement for inclusion.

19/05/2026

44 senior leaders from Collins Aerospace didn't just show up to volunteer. They showed up to listen, learn, and be recalibrated.

From discovering the quiet wisdom of medicinal plants on a campus tour, to letting their hands speak through Indian Sign Language, every moment was a reminder that true leadership begins with empathy.

They painted terracotta pots, knowing each stroke connected directly to the livelihood of a person with disability. They sat with beneficiaries, heard their stories, and left carrying something no boardroom can teach.

Over six decades, APD has been building a world where every person, regardless of ability, has the dignity of opportunity. And on this day, 44 leaders became part of that story.

To the entire Collins Aerospace team, thank you for bringing your hearts. 💙

13/05/2026

How do we make disability inclusion measurable, accountable and embedded within systems?

This Global Accessibility Awareness Day, join The Association of People with Disability (APD) as we hold two important conversations with stakeholders from the government, corporate, social sector and community to:

1. Strengthen disability-inclusive ESG frameworks: 10AM -1PM
2. Develop measurable Disability Indicator Framework: 1:30PM - 5:30PM

These conversations aim to bridge policy, practice and lived experience to advance disability inclusion rooted in accountability and collaboration.

Event registration links: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jjV1dB5oUw2EyK2bbrMuKoVkW1nKvOYd?usp=sharing

Participation via registration only.

📅 21st May 2026

📍 Conference Hall 1, India International Centre, New Delhi

11/05/2026

We’re hiring!

APD is looking for an Executive – Content & Communications to support impactful storytelling, field documentation, content creation, and communications across programs and fundraising initiatives.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys writing, engaging with communities, capturing real stories from the ground, and transforming impact into meaningful content for diverse audiences.

Role: Executive – Content & Communications
Experience: 1–3 years
Location: Bengaluru
Preferred background: Communications, Journalism, Mass Communication, Development Sector, or related fields

Apply here: https://apd-india.zohorecruit.in/jobs/Careers/129264000004403094/Executive---Content-and-Communications?source=CareerSite

Join us in telling stories that create awareness, inspire action, and celebrate impact.

05/05/2026

The Association of People with Disability (APD) proudly supports WRI India and its collaboration with BMRCL (Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.) in conducting a disability awareness program for station staff.

Inclusive transportation is essential in urban cities to ensure that persons with disabilities can travel independently, safely, and with dignity. While the Metro system has made significant progress in providing accessible infrastructure, continuous awareness and sensitization are key.

As part of this initiative, the APD Yes to Access team conducted sessions for BMRCL staff, focusing on basic sign language alphabets and practical communication skills needed during travel. The training emphasized how to effectively support persons with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and other disabilities, ensuring a respectful and independent travel experience.

This effort aligns with the RPwD Act, 2016, reinforcing the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.

04/05/2026

This is not just a story. This is progress you can feel.”

A mother’s voice.

A child’s journey.

A transformation built on patience, science, and belief.

APD Rehabilitation Services shares a powerful parent testimonial capturing the journey from uncertainty to meaningful progress through our Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation (MDR) approach.

With integrated support from Occupational Therapy (OT) and Psychology (Behavior therapy), every intervention is designed to build independence, communication, and confidence step by step.

This journey was guided closely by our team, including Mr. Abishek and Mr. Santhosh, working hand-in-hand with the family to turn small wins into lasting change.

At APD, we don’t just work with children.

We partner with families. Every step. Every breakthrough.

Because progress is powerful when it’s seen, felt, and shared.

28/04/2026

Some races are run for medals. This one was run for something far greater.

At the Bengaluru 2026, APD didn't just participate, we showed up as a community, as a force, and as a statement.

25 APD persons with disabilities. 25 CBA Buddies. 10 volunteers. Each showing up with one shared purpose to move forward, together.

In the Champions with Disability category, every meter covered carried the weight of resilience and the lightness of a community that refuses to leave anyone behind.

When purpose drives a community, the results speak over ₹10 Lakhs raised at the TCS World 10K, to power a more inclusive tomorrow.

To our partners at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, India your belief in this mission goes beyond corporate partnership.

This was never just a race. It was proof that when ability meets opportunity and community meets purpose, the finish line is only the beginning.

27/04/2026

From a small town in Karnataka to taking part in one of the world’s biggest 10Ks - Anita CS didn’t let polio define her path.
It may have changed her body, but it never changed her mindset.

Today, she moves forward on her own terms.
And with every step, she’s not just crossing finish lines, she’s opening doors for others watching, wondering, and waiting.

Because stories like Anita’s don’t just inspire, they shift what we believe is possible.

This is one of the many powerful journeys we get to witness at APD.

24/04/2026

Karnataka just mandated 5% reservation in housing schemes and 25% land cost concession for persons with disabilities. A landmark move but the real test is implementation.

Our Head of Policy and Research, Bhumika Modh, says it best:
"This decision moves us from charity to rights recognizing persons with disabilities as rightful stakeholders in development, not beneficiaries on the margins."

Yet on the ground, barriers remain - complex processes, inaccessible designs, and women with disabilities often left furthest behind.

For people like Kantaraj Naik, para-badminton player and peer trainer at APD:
"Having a stable and accessible home means I can focus on my work, my training, and preparing for competitions. For many others, it can bring independence and dignity in everyday life."

A policy is only as strong as its ex*****on. We welcome this step and we'll keep pushing.

Read the full story here: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/inclusivity-begins-at-home/amp_articleshow/130481007.cms

Karnataka's new policy reserves 5% in housing and land for persons with disabilities. This progressive step aims for inclusive development. However, activists highlight the crucial need for simple application processes and truly accessible homes. Successful implementation will ensure this policy tru...