New Delhi, September 13, 2024: The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has announced the 25th edition of the NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards, inviting nominations from across India. For a quarter of a century, these prestigious awards have spotlighted individuals, organizations, and entrepreneurs who have made exemplary contributions towards creating equal employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
With a rich legacy that began in 1999, the Helen Keller Awards have recognized more than 300 champions of inclusion. Over the years, these awards have sparked conversation and action, motivating countless people and organizations to ensure equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. These organizations and individuals have paved the way for disability inclusion in India, becoming role models for generations to come by striving to create a conducive environment that provides a level playing field for all.
Nominations are now open and will be accepted until September 20, 2024. To commemorate the 25th anniversary, two new categories have been introduced: a special award for media professionals championing disability-inclusive journalism and a Lifetime Achievement Award for individuals who have made a profound social impact by advancing employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. Recognizing the crucial role media plays in shaping narratives and raising awareness, the Role Model Media Award for Disability-Inclusive Journalism has been established to acknowledge media organizations advocating for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, with two awards presented nationally in this category.
Reflecting on this significant milestone, Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, said: “Reaching the 25th year of the NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards is a proud moment for all of us. These awards have been a pioneer in guiding and inspiring individuals and organizations to make the workplace more inclusive. There has been an acute lack of opportunities and stigma attached to persons with disabilities in the mainstream workforce. The NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards have been instrumental in breaking barriers. These awards were instituted after a survey conducted by NCPEDP revealed alarming data: less than 1% of disabled individuals were employed in India’s public, private, or multinational sectors. However, according to the most recent data from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, at the national level, 36% of people with disabilities are employed. This is a significant improvement from where we started, but we still have a long way to go.”
Among the many past awardees, companies including Infosys, State Bank of India, Bharat Petroleum, Tata Motors, Amazon, Dell, Cisco, Titan, Hindustan Petroleum, Tata Tea Limited, IBM, TVS, and Mphasis have been honored for their efforts to champion accessibility and support employees with disabilities. These organizations have led by example, showing how inclusion is not just the right thing to do, but also a business imperative.
“We urge everyone, from corporates to individuals, to nominate those who have made a real difference and help us build an even stronger movement toward disability inclusion,” added Ali.
This year, the NCPEDP Helen Keller Awards are inviting entries in six categories:
- Role Model Persons with Disabilities
- Role Model Supporter of Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
- Role Model Companies/Institutions/Organizations
- Role Model Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
- Role Model Media Award for Disability-Inclusive Journalism
- NCPEDP Helen Keller Lifetime Achievement Award
Join us in recognizing and celebrating those who are transforming the landscape of disability inclusion and making workplaces across India accessible to all.