The awards are conferred in three categories including persons with disabilities, working professionals, and companies/organisations that have made an impact in accessibility and universal design
Fourteen exceptional innovators have been honoured with the 14th National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)-Mphasis Universal Design Awards. The awards are given to innovators who work to break barriers for the disabled and create an inclusive society for past 13 years. These awards acknowledge efforts of individuals and organisations dedicated to fostering accessibility and inclusivity in India through their innovative designs and inclusive projects.
The awards are conferred in three categories: persons with disabilities, working professionals, and companies/organisations that have made an impact in accessibility and universal design in areas such as built environment, transport infrastructure, service provision, ICT, consumer products, mobility aids, assistive technology, and more.
Complementing the endeavour towards building an inclusive and sustainable future for persons with disability through the institution of Universal Design Awards, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said, "As India advances towards becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2030, involving its entire 1.4 billion population is crucial for national development. In this journey from today's status as the fifth-largest economy, the participation of differently-abled individuals is equally vital in achieving our ultimate goal of success."
While giving away the awards, Rajesh Aggarwal, secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), government of India complimented the awardees for doing incredible work in promoting the accessibility and supporting the role of assistive technology for creating a conducive ecosystem for persons with disability.
"The 14 awardees for this year's ceremony belong to eleven states across India, from Nagaland and Lakshadweep to Puducherry, underscoring the growing awareness and progress in the field of Universal Design and accessibility", said Arman Ali, the executive director of the NCPEDP.
Articulating the mission behind these prestigious awards, Ali stated, “In a world where one billion people need assistive products, but only one in 10 have access, the Universal Design Awards 2023 remind us of our duty to bridge this gap. Access to assistive products is integral for inclusive development. Without them, people are often excluded, isolated, and locked into poverty. With this we advance India onto the global stage as a beacon of knowledge and expertise in accessibility.”
As the awards enter their 14th year, they serve as a beacon of hope for creating an inclusive world where barriers to accessibility cease to exist.