Latest news with #AssisTechFoundation
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Indian Assistive Technology Pioneer Prateek Madhav Champions Global Disability Tech Reform with The Royal Society of London Report Launch
Bengaluru: Co-Founder and CEO of Bangalore-based AssisTech Foundation (ATF), Prateek Madhav, who is establishing the largest AT innovation ecosystem in India has said that he would put up The Royal Society, London's Global Disability Technology Report on How Data and Digital Assistive Technologies can Support Independent, Fulfilled lives, launched on Monday, to the Government, think-tanks and civil society in the country to initiate action to radically better the lives of Persons with Disability (PwDs) and ensure practical and positive outcomes for the community. Madhav expressed his views while speaking at the launch of the Report at The Royal Society London. He holds the distinction of being the sole Indian member on the Royal Society's Steering Committee who came out with the report. The Committee is chaired by renowned Professor of Statistics from Oxford University, Sir Bernard Silverman FRS, and includes the legendary co-founder of the Internet, Dr Vint Cerf, FRS. Articulating his views on the Report and Disability Technology, Madhav said: 'There is a clear need for accurate data collection in India relating to disability. India is a land of 1.4 billion people, including 90 million PwDs, 22 official languages with around 1600 dialects. Every 100 miles, the language changes in India. The country is a vast geography with high cultural diversity and nuances. Hence, collecting data to build solutions and technology to help PwDs is challenging'. He also commented on internet access within the Indian context. 'We are aware that internet access in India and the Global South is expensive, and accessible mostly to the English-speaking. Making the Internet affordable and responsive to diverse cultural idioms and languages will ensure that PwDs would use technologies developed for them to their best.' Madhav noted that India's rapidly growing start-up ecosystem offers a promising pathway for advancing Assistive Technology and driving inclusive innovation. 'When we started building the AT ecosystem in India, we just had 15 start-ups who were trying to bridge the gap of accessibility. Today we have 500+ startups just in India, building Assistive Technology for the world. We are in fact well set to establish reverse innovation and bring technologies from India to the West for PwDs.' He added that digital exclusion is not just a technological issue but a failure of design, policy and imagination. Designing technology for limited people is not the right approach and co-design should be a method. Madhav, who contributed to the conceptualization and direction of the report, emphasized that despite cultural nuances and contextual specificities, certain technologies—such as voice-control—hold universal value for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across the world. He particularly highlighted voice-control as a feature he greatly appreciates for its empowering potential. The Report outlines a forward-looking vision for enhancing the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through inclusive policy, technology, and design practices. It recommends that national statistics bodies shift from focusing solely on disability identity to collecting data on functional limitations, enabling more nuanced and effective policymaking. It also urges governments to recognize smartphones as legitimate and powerful forms of Digital Assistive Technology (DigAT), given their built-in accessibility features such as voice-to-text, screen magnifiers, and navigation tools. The Report underscores the importance of meaningful involvement of disabled individuals in the entire lifecycle of digital product development—from ideation to deployment—to ensure accessibility is embedded from the outset. Additionally, the Report calls for the promotion of low-cost, interoperable, and sustainable DigAT solutions through collaborative initiatives involving governments, technology companies, and research funders. It stresses the need to preserve high-quality analogue alternatives and human support systems, acknowledging that digital solutions may not suit all users. Finally, the Report emphasizes that the effective use of DigAT requires skill-building; thus, training programs for disabled people and caregivers must be prioritized to ensure they can fully benefit from both mainstream and assistive technologies. Sir Bernard Silverman, FRS, who rendered the concluding remarks at the event, observed in the Forward for the Report that the vision of Stephen Hawking was crucial to the development of disability technologies. 'Some fifty years ago, I was introduced to Stephen Hawking and told that he would be lucky to live another year. In fact, he had a long and influential life ahead of him and became one of the Royal Society's most famous Fellows. Writing in his own foreword for a 2011 World Health Organization report, he described the removal of barriers to participation for disabled people as a 'moral duty'. In his view, achieving this would unlock the vast potential of disabled people and, as exemplified by his own life as a highly accomplished disabled academic, technology can play an important role. This report aims to push forward Hawking's vision by considering how we can accelerate the development of digital technologies to help disabled people live independent, fulfilled lives.' The Royal Society's Global Disability Technology Report marks a pivotal moment in the global discourse on disability inclusion and digital equity. Grounded in data, design thinking, and a deep understanding of lived experiences, the report sets a clear agenda for governments, technology developers, and civil society to act with urgency and empathy. Prateek Madhav's powerful intervention underscores India's unique position—rich in cultural diversity yet poised for leadership in assistive innovation through its burgeoning startup ecosystem.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Companies across sectors extend employment opportunities
Bengaluru: AssisTechFoundation (ATF), India's first Assistive Technology ecosystem enabler, organised the Adidvara - Job Habba, a dedicated employment fair for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The event brought together inclusive employers and skilled candidates to bridge the gap between training and employment. The event saw a strong participation, with over 250 persons with disabilities attending as prospective candidates and engaging with potential companies including Infosys BPM, Big Basket, Tech Mahindra, Dr. Reddy's, Dell, Lemon Tree Hotels, and more offered job opportunities across sectors such as hospitality, e-commerce, data entry, customer service etc. The event featured one-on-one speed interviews and live demonstrations of Assistive Technologies that improve workplace accessibility and efficiency. Employers had the option to hire through apprenticeships, internships, or full-time roles. Candidates ranged from Class 10 pass to graduates from both technical and non-technical backgrounds. Notably, the event also welcomed candidates with no formal education, reflecting its inclusive approach towards enabling livelihood opportunities for all. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ATF and the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens (DWDSC), Government of Karnataka to collaborate on expanding the reach and impact of the programme. The partnership aims to enhance awareness, engage more organisations, and mobilise support from CSR partners to secure sponsorship and funding for scaling up the initiative. WinVinaya Foundation in Bengaluru also joined the initiative as a partner, contributing to its on-ground execution and implementation. The CEO and Co-Founder, ATF, Prateek Madhav said, 'Adidvara is more than just a platform — it's a movement for inclusive excellence. Through Job Habba, we're creating pathways for employers to connect with exceptional talent, supported by tailored pre-employment training and guidance to meet their inclusive hiring goals. Together, we aim to build a workforce where diversity is celebrated and talent is truly valued.' C K Ramamurthy, (MLA, Jayanagar Constituency), and Captain Shanthi S (Senior Program Director, Infosys Foundation) addressed the gathering and encouraged companies to prioritise livelihood opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. Jeya Chandran (Regional Head- UNDP Southern India), Shekar Naik (Padma Shri Awardee and Former Captain of Indian Blind Cricket Team) and BM Pavan Kumar (Founder, Gather Life for Paraplegics) also enriched the event with their presence, reinforcing the collective commitment towards creating inclusive and sustainable opportunities.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru's Assistive Technology Pioneer Prateek Madhav Invited to The Royal Society London's Launch of Global Report on Disability Technology
Bengaluru: Prateek Madhav, CEO & Co-Founder of AssisTech Foundation (ATF)—India's first ecosystem enabler for Assistive Technology—has been invited to the launch event of The Royal Society London's Global Policy Report titled "Disability Technology: How Data and Digital Assistive Technologies Can Support Independent, Fulfilled Lives." The event will take place on June 23 in London, in the esteemed presence of renowned statistician and data expert Sir Bernard Silverman, FRS. Prateek is notably the only Indian invited to this prestigious event, where he will also join an international panel discussion to deliberate on the report's insights and its policy implications for enhancing the independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities. Prateek Madhav has been a part of the Royal Society's Steering Committee for Digital Accessibility which is a reflection of the deep expertise and impact that ATF brings to the global Assistive Technology ecosystem. The Committee includes industry leaders such as Dr. Vint Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, widely recognized as one of the 'Fathers of the Internet.' Prateek's participation in this prestigious international forum highlights ATF's core values — evidence-based innovation, user-centred design, and inclusive development. It is also a powerful recognition of the Foundation's work in championing accessibility and disability inclusion, not just in India but on the world stage. Speaking about The Royal Society Report launch and event, Prateek said: 'The idea is to drive forward a global conversation that puts the lived experiences of persons with disabilities at the heart of technological and policy advancement. This marks a significant step in ATF's evolution as a global thought leader — expanding its footprint beyond national boundaries, influencing cross-sector collaboration, and aligning with global agendas for inclusive innovation. The opportunity to engage with policymakers, tech leaders, academics, and advocates at the Royal Society event reinforces ATF's role as a bridge between grassroots innovation and systemic change.' The report is the outcome of a collaborative study undertaken with external research and advocacy organizations, with the goal of building a robust evidence base centered on the lived experiences of Digital Assistive Technology users. The event will bring together policymakers, advocates, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss how data and digital solutions can contribute to improving accessibility in all areas of life for persons with disabilities. The report launch is to be followed by a panel discussion on the report featuring Prateek who will be speaking on accelerating digital technologies for persons with disabilities. The panel will be chaired by Geoff Spinks, Senior Professor, University of Wollongong, Australia who is a pioneer in accessibility for persons with disabilities. Joining the discussion are global leaders in the field, including Professor Annalu Waller OBE (Professor of Computer Science at the University of Dundee), Christopher Patnoe, (Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion for EMEA at Google), Jess Hider (Senior Technical Designer at Imporium) and Professor Cathy Holloway (co-founder and Academic Director of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, UCL). The event will also feature live exhibits of digital assistive technologies to help people with disabilities live independent lives.
Hans India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Six Youth-Led Startups Championing Disability-Inclusive Innovation Win Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25
Bengaluru: Six youth-led startups have been named winners of the 7th Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024–25 held for their innovative solutions that advance disability inclusion and accessibility. The winning ventures were selected from across India for their bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to transforming the lives of persons with disabilities through technology, education, and inclusive care models. Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, organized together with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and implemented by AssisTech Foundation (ATF), Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge has become a platform for empowering youth-led innovation and advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted in collaboration with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bangalore, the winners were announced at the culmination of a five-day residential bootcamp held recently. This programme brought together 18 youth-led startups—selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide—for mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities to refine and present their solutions. This seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab Innovation Challenge focused on empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs with disabilities, fostering solutions that enhance access, opportunity, and well-being for persons with disabilities. Following a high-impact jury evaluation on 12 June, six startups were selected for their scalable, high-impact solutions across three key categories: Inclusive and Accessible Assistive Technology (AT), Inclusive Educational Technology and Skilling Solutions and Accessible and Inclusive Care Models. The Three Winning Startups and 3 Runners Up of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25 are the following Winners Yadukrishnan K, Mediqor Aid Technologies, Sanchit Jhunjhunwala, Translead Medtech, Nidhi, NEMA AI. Runners-Up Duplikhum L Langtithonger, Zeliang Codetech, Shraddha Agarwal, SignSetu, Srishti Srivastava, Infiheal Healthtech. Each of the winning startups received tailored seed support of INR 3,00,000 along with capacity-building opportunities. The three runners-up were also recognized for their promising contributions and awarded INR 2,00,000 each to further develop their solutions and scale their impact. The winners were felicitated by Amit Kumar, Head- Sustainable Inclusive Growth, UNDP India and Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation. Furthermore, a special address was delivered virtually by Manmeet Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Speaking at the event, Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, 'Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has grown into a pan-India movement — empowering over 250 youth-led ventures from every region of the country. These young innovators come from all walks of life, but their solutions are driving deep social impact — reaching those who need it most, including rural, tribal, and underserved communities'. She added, 'These startups are not only tackling complex local challenges — they are scaling, creating jobs, building innovation ecosystems, and taking homegrown ideas to the global stage. This year's focus on disability-led innovation is a powerful step toward a more inclusive startup landscape. With nearly 27 million persons with disabilities in India, we must ensure innovation works for everyone. Together with Atal Innovation Mission, Citi Foundation, and AssisTech Foundation, we are proud to back grassroots solutions that advance accessibility, dignity, and opportunity — from every corner of India to the world.' Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation, emphasized his view on youth innovation, 'Innovative solutions that advance accessibility and inclusion, especially those led by young entrepreneurs from the disability community, must be championed through platforms like Youth Co:Lab. At AssisTech Foundation (ATF), we are proud to have partnered with UNDP, Citi Foundation and AIM for the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge, as we recognize the importance of supporting solutions that address underserved and often overlooked areas of need.' The entrepreneurs also received a virtual message of encouragements from Sanjana Sanghi, Actor, and UNDP Champion and Subhayu Mishra, Managing Director and Head Global Public Affairs, India and South Asia - Communications, Marketing, Citi India. Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by UNDP and Citi Foundation, aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can advance the implementation of SDGs. Youth Co:Lab was launched in India in 2019 with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog. Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has supported more than 250 youth-led social enterprises in India, spanning diverse thematic areas such as climate action, gender equality, sustainable consumption, and mental health.
