September 8, 2026

09:30 – 10:10
Lamp Lighting Ceremony

Dignitaries:
– Smt. V. Vidyavathi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
– Smt. Manmeet K. Nanda, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
– Maharshi Vaishnav, Chief Executive Officer, Motilal Oswal Foundation
– Michael Fembek, President, Zero Project International and Member of the Board, Essl Foundation, Austria
– Smt. Manisha Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, Government of Maharashtra 
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10:10 – 11:00
Scaling Assistive Technology ecosystems in the Global South

Moderator:
Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Global Accessibility Lead, D2L Corporation, Canada

Panelists:
T Ravi Kiran, Founder & CEO, Alien Innovations
Nidhi, Founder, NEMA AI
Colman Ndetembea, Co-founder, Kyaro Assistive Tech, Tanzania
Prateek Khandelwal, Founder, RampMyCity

This panel will explore how Assistive Technology (AT) can drive inclusion, independence and economic participation across the Global South. Experts will discuss the importance of building local ecosystems and creating sustainable pathways to scale.
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11:00 – 11:30
Grassroots innovations: Stories of local impact

Moderator:
Dr. Sangita Thakur, Founder & CEO, Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions Pvt. Ltd

Speakers:
Santosh Kumar Padibandla, Divyang Mitr, Youth4Jobs, India
Iryna Trokhymenko, Impact Lives of People, Ukraine

Every great innovation begins with a simple idea. This session will feature stories from grassroots changemakers across two continents whose locally driven innovations are improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities.
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11:30 – 12:00
Networking Tea Break

Refreshments and networking
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12:00 – 12:40
Women with disabilities and the importance of leadership roles and entrepreneurship

Moderator:
Swati Agarwal, Lead – Corporate Partnerships, Youth4Jobs

Panelists:
Babli Angelgupta, BPO Customer Service, Reliance Jio
Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, CEO, Conchita Consulting LLC, USA / Mexico
Anahita Kalsy, Lead Wellbeing Practitioner, Rugby Portobello Trust, P3 Charity, UK

This panel will highlight the leadership roles of women with disabilities and the change they are bringing about in the communities they work with. The discussion will explore the importance of fostering entrepreneurship and youth leadership.
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12:40 – 13:20
Building bridges – conversations with the Zero Project International Delegation

Speakers:
Anja Günther, Programme and Strategic Partnerships Manager, Essl Foundation – Zero Project
Michael Fembek, President, Zero Project International and Member of the Board, Essl Foundation, Austria

Meera Shenoy, Founder-CEO, Youth4Jobs  

This session puts the Zero Project International Delegation in the spotlight. Across different sectors and world regions, delegates will share insights into their organisations, their interest in India’s disability inclusion ecosystem, and the collaborations they are looking to build.
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13:20 – 14:45
Lunch

Networking lunch
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14:45 – 15:10
Speaker session – when real stories meet global cultural impact
Aditi Gangrade, Founder, Much Much Spectrum

How can lived experience travel beyond individual stories to shape ideas, institutions and global conversations? Drawing from her experience as an autistic and ADHD media entrepreneur, Aditi Gangrade will explore how Much Much Media transforms lived experience and community insight into films, campaigns and youth-focused content that reaches millions. The session will examine how media can bridge communities, organisations and global networks, while highlighting how neurodivergent perspectives can drive creative innovation, accessibility and meaningful cultural impact.
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15:10 – 16:00
The future of work for persons with disabilities

Moderator:
Ishaan Mehta, Programme Manager, LinkedIn

Panelists:
Dr Aman Preet Kaur, National Lead – CSR, Bajaj Finserv
Sameer Latey, Manager, Reliance Industries Ltd
Or Cohen, Tach Ability, Israel
Krishna Maharjan, Secretary General, Disability Empowerment Society Nepal, Nepal

AI is redefining the notion of employment and dignity for all. How will these prescient changes impact persons with disabilities? This session will explore this question while highlighting how AI is being used to drive more equitable outcomes in the labour market.
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16:00 – 16:30
Networking Tea Break

Refreshments and networking
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16:30 – 17:10
Reimagining neurodiversity through creativity, art and play

Moderator:
Anja Günther, Programme and Strategic Partnerships Manager, Essl Foundation – Zero Project

Panelists:
Nehal Tiwari, Stone Artist and Consultant, Ernst & Young
Mrunal Shah, Founder, Sunday Bricks; LEGO-based Learning and Engagement
Dr. Ambady K. G, Faculty in Special Education, NIEPID Secunderabad

This panel explores neurodiversity beyond a clinical lens, highlighting how art, play, music and creative expression can become powerful pathways for communication, learning, emotional expression and social participation. Through approaches such as stone art and LEGO-based play, the session will examine how caregivers, families and communities can create more inclusive environments that build confidence and enable neurodiverse individuals to participate meaningfully—not only in therapy or special schools, but also at home and in mainstream cultural, educational and social spaces.
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17:10 – 17:50
Unpacking the toolbox of inclusive education models

Moderator:
Barsha Banerjee, Managing Director, Perkins India

Panelists:
Dr. Simmi Mahajan, CHRO & Chief Programme Officer, Sri Aurobindo Society
Dr. Homiyar Mobedji, Director of Programmes, Benetech
David Banes, Head of the Advisory Board, Equitable AI Alliance, UK

Inclusive education lays the foundation for lifelong participation and access to sustainable employment. This panel will explore innovative models, platforms, policies and practices that are democratising education for all learners.
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17:50 – 18:00
Fireside chat  

Balaji Parthasarathy, CEO, Tata Power Solar Limited
Meera Shenoy, Founder & CEO, Youth4Jobs
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18:00 – 18:15
Talent showcase – Ability Beyond Barriers

Jai Vakeel Foundation and Research Centre

An inclusive dance and song performance by students with intellectual disabilities.
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18:15 – 18:20
Closing Remarks
Jyothi Bezawada, Lead Technology, Youth4Jobs