New Delhi | February 19, 2026: The Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) recently hosted a national seminar titled “Disability and Social Inclusion in India: A Roadmap for Change.” The day-long event, organized in collaboration with the Office of the Dean, Academic Affairs, brought together a distinguished panel of policymakers, academics, and activists to advocate for a fundamental shift in how India approaches disability rightsโmoving from a “charity model” to one of “justice and agency.”
Transforming Mindsets and Academic Curriculum
Opening the seminar, Prof. Tanuja, Officiating Director of CSSI, framed inclusion as a matter of fundamental justice aligned with SDG Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The discussions emphasized that accessibility is not merely about physical infrastructure but about dismantling social and academic biases.
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Key highlights from the inaugural session included:
- Mindset Shift: Dr. Ashima Mangla (Joint Secretary, UGC) urged for treating the differently-abled as equal, creative citizens.
- Sensitization: Prof. Nilofer Afzal (Dean of Student Welfare, JMI) called for deep-seated sensitization across all spheres of university life.
- Legal & Linguistic Inclusion: Dr. K. C. George (Deepalaya) emphasized the importance of sign language literacy and ensuring decision-making power for the disabled community.
Intersectionality and the “Social Model” of Disability
In her keynote address, Prof. Nilika Mehrotra (JNU) highlighted the intersectionality of disability with gender and caste, arguing that current curricula must evolve to reflect these complexities.
The first technical session, chaired by Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sharma (DU), explored the structural barriers facing the community. Experts such as Prof. Jagdish Chander (Hindu College) championed the “social model” of disability, arguing that individuals are not “disabled” by their impairments, but rather by restrictive and inaccessible environments.
Shifting from Charity to Rights-Based Empowerment
The second session, chaired by Prof. Sarika Sharma (JMI), focused on agency and representation. Speakers including Dr. Rubul Kalita and Dr. Talim Akhtar advocated for:
- Rights-Based Empowerment: Moving away from outdated charity models.
- Lived Experiences: Integrating the personal narratives of disabled individuals into theoretical and educational frameworks.
- Self-Advocacy: Highlighting the success of JMI alumnus and Helen Keller awardee, Mr. Faisal, as a testament to the power of visibility.
Institutional Commitment to Change
The seminar concluded with a powerful closing from the Patron, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi (Registrar, JMI), who reaffirmed the transformative power of education and called for a total rejection of discriminatory attitudes.
The event, convened by Dr. Arvind Kumar and co-convened by Dr. Sabah Hussain and Dr. Jyotirupa, stands as a significant milestone in Indiaโs academic discourse on social inclusion.
Summary Table: Key Expert Recommendations
| Focus Area | Expert Recommendation |
| Policy | Strict adherence to UGC accessibility guidelines. |
| Legal | Aligning Indian laws (PNDT/MTP) with UNCRPD standards. |
| Education | Shifting from “Blind Ethnography” to sensory research methods. |
| Social | Promoting sign language literacy and intersectional solutions. |
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