Applications invited for the NCPEDP and MPHASIS Universal Design Awards 2022

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) with the support of Mphasis is proud to announce the 13th edition of the Universal Design Awards - India’s most prestigious awards for promoting accessibility and universal design for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. NCPEDP is a cross-disability, non-profit organization, working as an interface between the government, industry, international agencies, and the voluntary sector towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

 

We have long believed that accessibility is the bedrock of inclusion. However, it is not limited to just physical space. It includes, among many others, transport infrastructure, information & technology, aids, and appliances. Access, therefore, is an issue that cuts across disabilities, sectors, abilities, and age groups and forms the very basis of Empowerment! And, a concept intrinsic to any kind of access is ‘Universal Design’, which means a design usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of age, ability, or situation.

 

The Awards cover accessibility in the following fields:

1. Built Environment

2. Transport

3. Information and Communication Technology

4. Services

5. Aids and Appliances

6. Advocacy and Public Policy 

 

The Awards are given under four categories:

•  CATEGORY A: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Awards in this category are given to people with disabilities who have created an impact in Accessibility and Universal Design in any of the areas such as built environment, transport infrastructure, service provision, information and communication technology (ICT), universally designed consumer products, mobility & independent living aids, or assistive technology in their personal/professional capacity. 

The work that the person has done can be in policy framework, grass-root level implementation, design and development, access audits, or even the rights movement/advocacy. 

Every year, Awards in this category are given out to 3 people across the country. 

•  CATEGORY B: WORKING PROFESSIONALS Awards in this category are given to people who work for the cause of Accessibility and Universal Design in any of the areas such as built environment, transport infrastructure, service provision, information and communication technology (ICT), universally designed consumer products, mobility & independent living aids, or assistive technology. 

She/he may be an employee of an educational institute/NGO/corporate/ government body that has taken up the cause, or may be a consultant or freelancer who has devoted her/his time for the cause. Her/his individual contribution to the cause is a major reason for the success achieved by the organisation/firm/movement. She/he may also be an individual who is involved in the cause independent of any organisational support and has achieved significant success in the core objective of gaining accessibility for disabled people.

Awards in this category are given out to ensure that many dedicated people who have involved themselves in the cause get due recognition. This will not only help in sensitising the community, but will also encourage young minds to join the cause as a career option.

Every year, Awards in this category are given out to 3 people across the country. 

•  CATEGORY C: COMPANIES/ORGANISATIONS Awards in this category are given to those companies or organisations who have taken up the cause of Accessibility and Universal Design in any of the areas such as built environment, transport infrastructure, service provision, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), universally designed consumer products, mobility & independent living aids, or assistive technology. 

Companies/organisations that have implemented either/all of these within their organisations, which has led to them recruiting or serving people with disabilities and providing them equal opportunities to participate to the best of their abilities. These companies/organisations can be a role model for the rest of the society, and recognising their efforts and giving them the encouragement will help the cause to reach out to many more. 

These can be any type of an educational institute/NGO/corporate/government body - private sector, public sector, joint sector, SME or even proprietorship/partnership firms. The selection criteria will not only be for adopting accessibility policies, but also for implementing them at the workplace. 

Every year, Awards in this category are given out to 4 companies/organisations across the country. 

 

• NCPEDP –Mphasis Javed Abidi Public Policy Awards for Universal Design to recognize those that are carrying forward Mr. Abidi’s legacy. This award will be given to 1 organization and 1 individual recognizing their path breaking work in ensuring a level playing field for people with disabilities to access the same opportunities and rights as all other citizens of India! 

Access symbolizes the true spirit of freedom as far as persons with disabilities are concerned. This year’s ceremony will be held in an offline mode or hybrid mode depending upon the existing pandemic situation.  The presentation ceremony will be held on 28^th September 2022.

The Concept Note on the Awards and the Nomination Forms can be accessed here. You may also refer to last year's commemorative brochure here.

The last date for sending nominations is Wednesday, 10th August 2022.

You may either submit the nomination form to secretariat@ncpedp.org or can fill the following google forms as per the category of nomination:

• Category A & B (Persons with Disabilities/ Working Professionals) 
• Category C (Companies/Organisations)
• NCPEDP - Mphasis Javed Abidi Public Policy Award

For any queries, please write to secretariat@ncpedp.org.