Recognising organisations driving change in disability-inclusive health and livelihoods, and creating opportunities for them to grow.
Lasting change in disability inclusion is built through sustained efforts within communities. Across India, grassroots organisations work closely with persons with disabilities and their families, addressing gaps in healthcare, rehabilitation, education and livelihood opportunities. Their understanding of local needs and their commitment to working on the ground make them an integral part of the disability inclusion ecosystem.
Recognising this contribution was at the heart of the 10th N.S. Hema Memorial Awards, organised by The Association of People with Disability (APD) on 3 October 2026 in Bengaluru. Held under the theme Honouring Achievements, Shaping Tomorrow, the milestone edition celebrated organisations working to advance disability-inclusive health and livelihoods while reaffirming the importance of supporting their continued growth.
A legacy rooted in collective action
The awards commemorate Late Smt. N.S. Hema, founder of APD, who contracted polio and established the organisation at just 17. Her vision extended beyond empowering individuals with disabilities. She believed that meaningful and lasting change required a strong network of organisations rooted in communities, working together to create opportunities and address systemic barriers.
The N.S. Hema Memorial Awards carry this vision forward by recognising organisations that contribute to this larger effort and encouraging their work through visibility, collaboration and support.
Recognising work across health and livelihoods
This year’s awards recognised organisations across two thematic areas: Disability Inclusive Health and Disability Inclusive Livelihood.
Under the Disability Inclusive Health category, PACT – Prakyata Abhinand Charitable Trust received the Award for Established NGO, while Arivu Trust and PAPCP – Parents Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Associated Disorders were recognised under the Emerging NGO category.
Under the Disability Inclusive Livelihood category, Aarambh Society for Autism and Slow Learners received the Award for Established NGO.
The Health category recognised organisations working across early intervention, medical rehabilitation, assistive technology and mental health support. The Livelihood category acknowledged initiatives creating opportunities through vocational training, financial inclusion, self-employment and corporate employment.
For PACT, the recognition held particular significance because of its association with N.S. Hema and the values she stood for. Today, the organisation works with close to 17 child care institutions across Bengaluru, Kolar and Davanagere, providing rehabilitation support and training caregivers to improve care for children with disabilities.
A representative of PACT reflected on the recognition, highlighting how Hema’s care for children and her belief in creating opportunities for those often left behind continue to inspire the organisation’s work.
Similarly, for Aarambh Society for Autism and Slow Learners, the award recognises its continued efforts to support children on the autism spectrum through therapy, special education and vocational training. Its work focuses on enabling greater financial independence and participation in society.
For both organisations, the recognition is an encouragement to continue building on their work alongside children, families and communities.
Beyond recognition: Creating opportunities to grow
An important development in this 10th edition was APD’s broader approach to supporting participating organisations. The awards are increasingly envisioned as a platform that goes beyond acknowledging achievements to creating opportunities for organisational growth.
Selected organisations from this year’s applicant pool will have opportunities to connect with funders and programme implementation partners, along with access to capacity-building support and mentorship.
APD also hopes to facilitate a peer-learning network for organisations working in disability-inclusive livelihoods. Through this network, organisations can exchange experiences, discuss common challenges and learn from approaches being adopted across the sector.
These efforts reflect the importance of strengthening the organisations themselves. Access to resources, knowledge, partnerships and opportunities for collaboration can help grassroots initiatives build their capacities and extend their impact.
Conversations that reinforce a shared vision
The event also brought together voices from the education, disability and social development sectors to reflect on the importance of collective action.
Prof. M. K. Sridhar, Padma Shri awardee and President of the Centre for Educational & Social Studies (CESS), Bengaluru, attended as Chief Guest. The N.S. Hema Memorial Lecture was delivered by Mr. Srikant S. Rao, Honorary Vice President, National Association for the Blind, Karnataka.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. M. K. Sridhar emphasised the sustained commitment required across institutions, communities and individuals to advance inclusion. Mr. Srikant S. Rao reflected on N.S. Hema’s journey and the importance of building a society where persons with disabilities have access to opportunities, support and dignity.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sukanto Aich, Chief Executive Officer, APD, highlighted the role of grassroots organisations as the backbone of disability inclusion in India. He emphasised that their close understanding of community needs makes them integral to driving change, while recognising that many lack the resources to grow. He reiterated APD’s commitment to supporting these organisations through access to knowledge, partnerships, funding and opportunities to strengthen their capacities and expand their work.
Strengthening the ecosystem, together
As the N.S. Hema Memorial Awards enter their second decade, their purpose continues to extend beyond recognising individual organisations. They represent an opportunity to build stronger connections across the disability sector and encourage a more collaborative approach to advancing inclusion.
Grassroots organisations bring valuable experience, community knowledge and commitment to this work. Supporting them with the right resources and partnerships is essential to sustaining their efforts and creating more accessible opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Through the awards and the initiatives that follow, APD hopes to contribute to a stronger ecosystem of organisations working towards disability rehabilitation, care and inclusion. It is a continuation of N.S. Hema’s belief that meaningful change is a collective effort, built through organisations and communities working together.