NCPEDP which regularly conducts
workshop to champion disability rights, has also constituted the National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) consisting of disability sector leaders and experts from across the country, that meet at regular intervals to discuss ongoing pertinent issues concerning people with disabilities and to plan a viable strategy to address their issues. In 2021, NCPEDP announced the NCPEDP-Javed Abidi Fellowship, a three-year immersive grassroots
fellowship programme for differently-abled youth who are interested in disability rights and inclusion and are seeking a
career in the development sector. The fellowship was introduced in association with
Azim Premji Foundation as part of its 25th
anniversary. For the last 25 years, NCPEDP has been advocating for viewing the issues of disabled people with a rights-based approach and equality and gender-based lens; subsequently moving away from traditionally held views of charity and welfare. Since 1996, NCPEDP has successfully advocated for several policies that have positively impacted the lives of thousands of people with disabilities. NCPEDP also published a series of teaching-learning modules co-developed by
UNESCO and P&G Whisper India aimed at integrating
menstrual period and
puberty education in school curricula. In 2023, NCPEDP in collaboration with the
National Human Rights Commission and
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) held a stakeholders consultation with
disability advocacy organisations in
Mumbai where both private and government
insurance companies were present. Securing health insurance is a significant step towards
healthcare affordability. As a result of this Arman Ali, finally managed to secure a
health insurance after 7 year struggle. It may be noted that
India uses a rating system to evaluate a person's degree of disability. As per the system, Ali's degree of disability is 80%. The higher the disability, more difficult it becomes to get insurance. In 2023, NCPEDP in collaboration with
Bajaj Finserv launched a
Scholarship programme for students with disabilities. The scholarship was in line with National Education Policy 2022. It was first launched in
Uttar Pradesh, largest state by population in India. As
Loksabha Elections 2024 approached NCPEDP prepared a 10-point
manifesto that was circulated among 600 organisations working for PwDs, and 15,000 individuals. The manifesto, also shared with
political parties, called for bigger budgetary allocation for PwDs with a 5%
reservation in all levels of governance, and comprehensive health insurance. NCPEDP ED, Arman Ali also said as per
Election Commission of India, there were 1 crore PwD
voter in India, adding it was time these votes mattered. He urged every single PwD to vote. “One crore votes can make a difference. The new
slogan is ‘Nothing Without Us’. All of us pay taxes”. Recently, in 2024 NCPEDP and
PVR INOX collaborated for the
film Srikanth, a
biopic on noted visually impaired entrepreneur
Srikanth Bolla. The collaboration is to ensure the film is more accessible to audiences with disabilities, by making the film available in specialized formats that cater to visually and hearing impaired. PVR INOX to ensure accessibility for the film, has earmarked 1600 wheelchair-friendly seats across various locations to accommodate patrons with disabilities. ==NCPEDP-LTIMindtree Helen Keller Awards==