National Conference 2020 Speakers
PROF. JAYANTHI NARAYAN
Former Dy. Director, NIEPID
DR ALOKA GUHA
Former Chairperson, NATIONAL TRUST
DR ASMITA HUDDAR
Principal, CCYM’s HASHU ADVANI COLLEGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
DR DINAZ WADIA
Director, DISHA- Comprehensive Rehab Centre
MR AKHIL PAUL
Founder Director, Sense International, India
DR ANITA JHULKA
Department of Education of Groups with Special Needs (DEGSN), National
Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
DR SAM TARAPOREVALA
Director, Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC)
DR HIMANGSHU DAS
Director, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities
DR VASUDHA PRAKASH
Founder, V-Excel Education Trust
MR FRANK SCARCELLI
Head of School, Dubai Scholars
MS JASMINA KHANNA
Disability Rights Activist & Software Testing Engineer, Atos Syntel
MS JYOTI KUMAR
Director of Education, Arya Vidya Mandir (AVM) Group of Institutions
MS SUZANNE RODRICKS
Educationist, Dubai Scholars Private School, Dubai
MS RADHIKE KHANNA
Founder Trustee OM Creations Trust & Shraddha Charitable Trust
PROF. REETA SONAWAT
Former Dean & Head, Department of Human Development SNDT WU
DR SHYAMALA DALVI
Consultant, UNICEF
MR B.S. SANTOSH KANNA
Head of Department (Physiotherapy), NIEPMD, Govt. of India
DR SEEMA GUPTA
Director, Taraben Master School
DR SUSHMA NAGARKAR
Rehabilitation Psychologist & Founder, Café ArpanF
MS VEENA NAREN
Manager & Coordinator, Vanun’s Creations
DR VARSHA GATHOO
Head, Department of Education, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) (AYJNISHD(D)))
MRS VATHSALA SHARMA
Head, Institute of Special Education, Arya Vidya Mandir School (AVM)
PROF. SMRITI SWARUP
Former Director, Centre of Special Education, SNDT WU
DR RADHIKA MISQUITTA
Director, Research and Outreach, Gateway School of Mumbai
PROF. MYTHILI RAMCHAND
Centre for Education Innovation and Action Research Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
DR MITHU ALUR
Founder Chairperson, ADAPT (Formerly Spastic Society of India)
PROF. PREETI VERMA
Department of Special Education (DSE), SNDT WU
MS APOORVA PANSHIKAR
Assistant Professor, DSE, SNDT WU
MR JAI PATNI
Arts Based Therapist
MS SACHU RAMALINGAM
Head, Inclusive Education & Quality Assurance Billabong Schools
DR J. VIJAYALAKSHMY
Former HOD Medical Sciences, NIEPMD
MS RITIKA SAHNI
Founder Trinayani
PROF. PRADNYA WAKPAINJAN
Associate Professor in Education, Department of Education, SNDT Women’s University
SMT MANISHA VERMA
Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Govt. of Maharashtra
PROF. SUJATA BHAN
Professor and Head, Department of Special Education, SNDT WU
PROF. JAYANTHI NARAYAN
FORMER DY. DIRECTOR, NIEPID
Dr Jayanthi Narayan is currently a visiting Professor at the University of Northampton (UoN), UK. She retired as the Deputy Director of the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH, currently, NIEPID). She completed her post-graduation specializing in Education (Learning disabilities and Mental retardation). She completed another post-graduation – M.A. in Distance Education and Ph.D. With Fulbright senior research fellowship, she carried out a Post-Doctoral programme at Boston College. Massachusetts, USA. In 2018, she is conferred upon with honorary doctorate by the UoN, UK. As a consultant in special and inclusive education, Dr. Narayan has trained teachers in special and inclusive education and has also carried out situation analysis of education of children with disabilities, in various International locales, hired by UNICEF, UNDP, WHO and International agencies such as Perkins International and Helen Keller International.
DR ALOKA GUHA
FORMER CHAIRPERSON, NATIONAL TRUST
Dr Aloka Guha, former Founder-Chairperson of the National Trust, is a Special educator trained in Intellectual Disability. She has 45 years of experience in the Disability sector working with leading NGOs, and with the Government of India on legal and policy matters, including the development of GOI’s for the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Five Year Plans. She has worked with SEARO-WHO in the Disability Unit and in the Mental Health Unit, Department of NCD. She was a Consultant with ‘Autism Speaks’ which supported the Government of Bangladesh in the development of its national-level multi-sectorial initiative on Autism and NDDS. She is now a Consultant on Legal Mandates relating to disability, human rights, Situation Analyses, mentoring and monitoring of internationally-funded projects and training of teachers in Inclusive Education. She is currently also a Consultant for many National and International Projects in Disability Area.
PROF. ASMITA HUDDAR
Principal, CCYM’s HASHU ADVANI COLLEGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (aided
college affiliated to University of Mumbai)
Prof. Asmita Huddar is active in the field of disability management and special education for more than three decades. Collaboration and empathy are her core values. She is the first Indian post doc Fulbright scholar in education of the children with D/deafness. She was the chairperson of Board of Studies in special Education at University of Mumbai. She is instrumental in establishing center for disability studies and evolving disability policy for UoM. Three students have completed Ph D under her guidance. She has contributed in development of several text books for many universities for diploma, Bachelors and Masters level. Research, inclusion, language assessment, curriculum development and Indian Sign Language are her areas of professional interest.
DR DINAZ WADIA
Director, DISHA- Comprehensive Rehab Centre
Dr Dinaz Wadia is an Audiologist, a Speech language Pathologist. A qualified trainer in Core theory & Basic Skills in Play Therapy, she is a qualified Counselling and Health Psychologist. A former faculty of TNMC Audiology Speech Therapy School, Dr Wadia has specialized in Pediatric early intervention. She has presented many papers and publications. She is also trained in Core theory & Basic Skills in Play Therapy and Personal Counselling. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Institute and a Makaton Regional Tutor and co Ordinator, trained under Margaret Walker, UK. Dr Wadia is a well-known, lecturer, speaker and resource person and has been an invited speaker at international and national conferences. She has been awarded the Mr. R. K. Oration Award for excellence in Entrepreneurship in Aud. and Speech Language Pathology. She has many community projects to her credit, a few among them are, Conducting workshops and camps to assess/guide parents of children with intellectual deficits, Camp for Children with Mental Retardation. She has written and published many papers and books.
MR AKHIL PAUL
Founder Director, Sense International, India
Mr Akhil Paul has been leading the organisation since 1997, having its presence in 22 states of the country and have reached out to more than 80000+ persons with Deafblindness. He is the Former Vice President of Deafblind International (DBI) and also the Founder Member of the Board of the National Trust for Welfare of People with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple disabilities. Also responsible for shaping up policies of the country benefiting the PWDs and has been instrumental in framing up recently enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. His approach to social development is based on a deep commitment to the human rights and equality. He believes in sharing and learning partnerships in all aspects of his work and consciously work towards maintaining his role as a facilitator. He strongly believes and practices towards Allen Martin’s golden words which have been an inspiration to him.
DR ANITA JHULKA
Department of Education of Groups with Special Needs (DEGSN), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
Prof. Anita Julka is chairing the National Resource Group for the Nishtha Training Programme, the largest training programme for in- service teachers in the World. She has played a leadership role in the major programs of the Government of India like the Samagara Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), providing consultancy for developing the State Plans for inclusive education. Prof. Julka has been involved in various research, training, development and extension activities both at the National and International Levels. She is a pioneer in the area of curriculum adaptation, developed two handbooks for including children with special needs in regular classrooms at primary and upper primary level and published a number of research and other papers in the area of inclusive education. Recently she has developed an Index for Inclusion after wide consultations with teachers, parents and administrators and based on that I have taken up a major qualitative research study on the inclusiveness of schools at Elementary Stage. I am also a member of Core Group on Children with the National Human Rights Commission and have also drafted a Vision Paper for Niti Aayog on Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
DR SAM TARAPOREVALA
Director, Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC)
Dr. Sam Taraporevala is currently the Executive Director of the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) which he founded in 2003. He is also on various national bodies including Vice President & Chair, Committee on Policy Intervention, DAISY Forum of India. He is a member of the Braille Council of India and has been a member of the expert committee to decide and list out modern assistive devices for all categories of PWDs, Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. Among other positions he is a member, Expert Committee for the Resource Centre for Persons with Different Disabilities, National Library, Kolkata. A member of the Task force for National Centre of Universal Design and Barrier free Environment for Persons with Disabilities, India and National Selection Committee for selecting the awardees for the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
DR HIMANGSHU DAS
Director, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities
Dr Himangshu Das is currently the Director of NIEPMD, Chennai and Former Director Incharge of NIEPID, Secunderabad; under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India).To his credit, he was instrumental in establishing state level composite Regional Centres for PwD in Kerala, Maharashtra, Andaman, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. He brings with him over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of disability rehabilitation, from clinical, administrative, policy-level and academic perspectives. He plays a significant role for various committees of RCI (Govt. of India) and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, in the areas of Curriculum Development, Schemes, Policies etc. He has a comprehensive proficiency for both academic and service delivery aspects of disability rehabilitation at government and non-government, grass-root and higher-level of management. Dr Himangshu is a decorated professional in HRD for the disability sector and is passionately driven for empowerment, inclusion, quality of life and empathetic services for individuals with special needs.
DR VASUDHA PRAKASH
Founder, V-Excel Education Trust
A visionary educator, social entrepreneur and professional academician with more than 30 years of experience in the education sector, Dr. Prakash started an NGO, V-Excel Educational Trust in Chennai, a pioneering initiative to provide life-span all-encompassing services to persons with cognitive and developmental challenges. V-Excel associates with private partners as well with the government to have a wide impact on society the organization has impacted and influenced as many as 45,000 people affected by special needs. The V-Excel journey has facilitated many philosophies and methodologies to emerge and evolve to create newer depths of understanding not only of people with special needs but also neurotypical people. The V Excel Educational Trust now 13 centres in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. He is also a practising professional Psychotherapist, a trained Hypnotherapist and a past life regression therapist. She makes regular appearances on TV and radio where she provides advice and guidance on special education and life skills. Her dedication and involvement in the field of special needs has won her various awards, such as ‘Distinguished Board Member Award’ at the Princess Haya Award for Special Education (PHASE), in the year 2017, the ‘Indian Achiever’s Award’ in the year 2017, to name a few.
MR FRANK SCARCELLI
Head of School, Dubai Scholars
Mr Frank Scarcelli has been a part of the education sector for 40 years. He was head of technology and teacher for 9 years before moving into administration, has worked in 2 IB schools , and several inner city challenging schools. He was the founding principal of a brand new flag ship school which still to this day is considered outstanding in Ontario. He worked as an academic consultant for the Abu Dhabi Educational Council in Liwa, and Madinat Zyed in the Western Region of the United Arab Emirates for 2 years. Currently he is in his third year as, Head of School, at Dubai Scholars Private School. Dubai Scholars is a British Curriculum school, Foundation stage to Year 13, has approximately 1800 students, 115 teaching staff as well as 43 teaching assistants. The school has been consistently rated as a good, however, the last two years, the trends have been pointing to be very good and outstanding.
MS JASMINA KHANNA
Disability Rights Activist & Software Testing Engineer, Atos Syntel
Jasmina Khanna is a person with cerebral palsy; hence, a wheelchair user. While she can only type with one finger (my left hand’s index finger), she has built a successful career as a software tester, with an expertise in web and database testing. She completed her schooling from ADAPT back then known as Spastic of India. Having passed out from school in the year 1989, she completed her graduation from St. Xavier’s college in 1994, and her M.A. from Mumbai University in 2004. Ms Khanna started working in her current company, Atos Syntel (Formerly Syntel Pvt Ltd) which is an MNC from the year 2010. She has a keen focus on activism for accessibility and equality for the persons with disability in India, where there is very little understanding or will to change. She wishes our society became broadminded about their attitudes towards people with disabilities. She says ‘If given an opportunity we can work and be productive. On the other hand, people with disability should not give up easily. Perseverance and hard work can get you what you want to be. Just prove yourself and opportunities will follow you.’ Ms Khanna strongly believe every accomplishment starts with a decision to try.
MS JYOTI KUMAR
Director of Education, Arya Vidya Mandir (AVM) Group of Institutions
Ms. Jyoti Kumar has had an exemplary career panning 32 years. She has been a Member of the MABEC Board and Head Of The Early Child Care Education program at AVM that focuses on developing and training teachers across the pre-primary section. She has ensured the highest strike through rate of 100% results in ICSE Board Examination in the last 19 years. She was a winner of the Nation Builder award given
by Rotary – India Literacy Mission, 2017. She promotes a child centric approach in the learning pedagogy and has nurtured excellence beyond education through yoga, sports, elocution, creative arts and a variety of Holistic Learning programs. She has been the main architect in bringing all three AVM schools among the top 10 schools in Mumbai. This is apart from several other recognitions that the schools received in 2018-19 on various parameters. With all these achievements she is also a dynamic personality, a leader and motivator with a skill to create an environment of excellence and superior performance and Vocational Excellence.
by Rotary – India Literacy Mission, 2017. She promotes a child centric approach in the learning pedagogy and has nurtured excellence beyond education through yoga, sports, elocution, creative arts and a variety of Holistic Learning programs. She has been the main architect in bringing all three AVM schools among the top 10 schools in Mumbai. This is apart from several other recognitions that the schools received in 2018-19 on various parameters. With all these achievements she is also a dynamic personality, a leader and motivator with a skill to create an environment of excellence and superior performance and Vocational Excellence.
MS SUZANNE RODRICKS
Educationist, Dubai Scholars Private School, Dubai
“After completing over three decades of my professional life, I realize that my pursuit of progressive education energizes me most. For me Inclusive Education is education built on equity and equality; that is centered on meta-learning; that is built on empowerment and that is replete with latent possibilities for innovation.”
Suzanne began her career with teaching children with disabilities. Over the years she discovered that teaching, particularly curriculum design, implementation and educational audits were what drove her. She proceeded to work with aspiring teachers, schools and managements, to construct enriching learning environments, for all learners. Currently she is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Phase Head Foundation Stage and Lower Primary, Dubai Scholars Private School, Dubai UAE. Her role is insuring that the programme offered by the school is based on children’s unique characteristics, building positive relationships and enabling environments making it is equitable for all students.
Suzanne began her career with teaching children with disabilities. Over the years she discovered that teaching, particularly curriculum design, implementation and educational audits were what drove her. She proceeded to work with aspiring teachers, schools and managements, to construct enriching learning environments, for all learners. Currently she is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Phase Head Foundation Stage and Lower Primary, Dubai Scholars Private School, Dubai UAE. Her role is insuring that the programme offered by the school is based on children’s unique characteristics, building positive relationships and enabling environments making it is equitable for all students.
DR RADHIKE KHANNA
Founder Trustee OM Creations Trust & Shraddha Charitable Trust
For over 33years Dr Radhike Khanna has dedicated herself to the upliftment and betterment of the individuals from the disability sector. Through her work in the education field as a trustee of Om Creations Trust and Shraddha Charitable Trust, along with her dedicated contribution to make quality education accessible through various schools like SPJ Sadhana School and other institutes in and around Maharashtra and the country. Her commendable work is now part of an international book – Universal Access Through Inclusive Instructional Design: International Perspectives on UDL. With the first-and-only five-year polytechnic course in the world that guarantees employment for the intellectually disabled, she has constructed a more wholesome approach that nurtures and empowers these individuals into be gainfully employed. An extremely approachable, warm and a loving personality, Dr Khanna has received numerous awards for contribution in the field of special education.
PROF. REETA SONAWAT
Former Dean & Head, Department of Human Development SNDT WU
Prof. Reeta Sonawat was selected as global leader, Early Care and Education by World Forum Foundation, Montreal. As an International leader in Early Childhood Education she was invited by State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affair, U.S. where she discussed the overview U.S. education system and federal leadership in Early Childhood Education. She underwent training in Early Childhood Education (Reading Difficulties), at Golda Meir Mount Carmel institute and Training center, Haifa, Israel. For post doctoral research, she worked on project “Integrated Education in Kinder Gardens and Primary Schools” in Bremen University, Germany.She is also a recipient of National Award for Teacher Trainer in innovative training for the project “IMPROVING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS QUALITY IN EDUCATION” AND Faculty Research Fellowship by Shastri Indo Canadian Institute for project titled “Adolescent of Minority Groups, Sense of Belongingness to Society”. Prof. Sonawat is an International Speaker and Trainer with many publications to her credit.
DR SHYAMALA DALVI
Consultant, UNICEF
Dr Shyamal Dalvi is a Psychologist and a special educator for the past 25 years. She holds a Masters in Psychology and in Special Education followed by a Doctorate in Inclusive Education.
She has worked in schools for over 10 years leading the process of bringing the marginalized to the mainstream. Her work included training and guiding in service teachers, parents and students, setting up NIOS for children as an alternative system of examination, conducting assessments and developing short term courses for teachers in inclusive education. She is an advisor and a master trainer for inclusive education at the National council for education research and training (NCERT). She has authored course modules on inclusive education for Mauritius government, and YCMOU. She is currently a State consultant at UNICEF and looking at understanding the ways to provide effective intervention to the CWSN in the State. Her passion remains building Inclusive school environments and teacher empowerment.
She has worked in schools for over 10 years leading the process of bringing the marginalized to the mainstream. Her work included training and guiding in service teachers, parents and students, setting up NIOS for children as an alternative system of examination, conducting assessments and developing short term courses for teachers in inclusive education. She is an advisor and a master trainer for inclusive education at the National council for education research and training (NCERT). She has authored course modules on inclusive education for Mauritius government, and YCMOU. She is currently a State consultant at UNICEF and looking at understanding the ways to provide effective intervention to the CWSN in the State. Her passion remains building Inclusive school environments and teacher empowerment.
MR B.S. SANTOSH KANNA
Head of Department (Physiotherapy), NIEPMD, Govt. of India
Mr Santosh Kanna has Completed his Master of Physiotherapy and has professional experience of around 18 years in various capacities from Tutor to Vice Principal, and serving exclusively in Disability sector for more than a decade. Served as Principal investigator in Disability related projects approved by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, served as expert committee member in Disability rehabilitation to Rehabilitation council of India. Authored research papers in national journals and presented in several National and International conferences. Serving as President of Faculty of Physiotherapy, Tamilnadu in Dr. MGR Medical University. Trained in Singapore as part of global training program in Motor activity training program (MATP) from Special Olympics International. Represented Govt. of India in Evaluation of Implementation of DDRS- Disability Rehabilitation scheme and served a Nodal officer for various states. Serving as Academic coordinator for Govt. Disability Research Projects and coordinator in Setting up of Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for persons with Disabilities
DR SEEMA GUPTA
Director, Taraben Master School
Dr Seema Gupta has over 25 years of experience in managing hospitals, she was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited . As the founder and Managing Director of Arya Hospital Management Solutions she has undertaken various assignments. Key projects included the customization and implementation of Hewlett Packard’s new HIS at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital; 7 years as a domain consultant & implementation specialist at Wipro HCIT. She was responsible for setting up Global hospitals, 400+ bedded tertiary care hospital in Parel. She has also consulted for projects with Sir H.N hospital (USA), Pulse Infoframe (Canada) and Axes EMS(Ewave) Tata trusts, State governments of Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc. She is currently consulting for ICT healthcare Hinai-UAE, Breach Candy Mumbai and Inlaks Hospital. She has been the trustee of Santacruz West Education Society that runs a school for about 1150 children, mainly from the slums, since 2016. She has also been a lecturer at the teaching hospital in Juhu , examiner paper setter and convenor with Mumbai University, Maharashtra Medical Council and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS).
DR SUSHMA NAGARKAR
Rehabilitation Psychologist & Founder, Café Arpan
A doctorate in Special Education and retired nationally certified school psychologist in the US, Dr Sushama Nagarkar is the founder of Café Arpan and Managing Trustee for Yash Charitable trust. Six years ago, Sushama and Aarti, her daughter returned to India after spending 15 years in the US where she worked as a psychologist in the public schools. In 2013, Sushama began working at Morris Foundation in Pune where she helps the organization conduct research and stay up to date in their practice of helping struggling learners succeed in schools. In 2014, she set up Yash Charitable Trust, an NGO with the vision that persons with developmental disabilities will live and work in the community of their choice with dignity and self-respect. She works in an honorary capacity as the Managing Trustee. Sushama has also worked with the Gateway School, Mumbai; and the Bubbles Center for Autism in Bangalore. Sushama is a resource person for the Forum for Autism and travels to conduct workshops and training activities. She also consults with and does counseling for families of persons with disabilities. Being that she is a parent of an adult with autism, Sushama brings to her work a rather unique perspective of walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
MS VEENA NAREN
Manager & Coordinator, Vanun’s Creations
Completing her Masters (Electronics) and moving to Chennai post marriage Ms Veena Naren did her diploma in Special Education after which she worked at Vidyasagar in Chennai. She moved back to Mumbai post the birth of her son Varun. After Varun was diagnosed with fragile X Syndrome at age 11, both her husband and her along with another family who started a fragile X society India set up the the first fragile X clinic in India. Veena helps giving parents hope and coping techniques based on her parental experience to help cope with the diagnosis and treatment of Fragile X. Besides that, she also volunteers with an NGO working for underprivileged children . She coordinates and creates utility products using the brand name ‘Varun’s Creations’ and helps with the orders and packaging of his bakery products under the name ‘Varun’s Delights’.
DR VARSHA GATHOO
Head, Department of Education, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) (AYJNISHD(D)))
Dr Varsha Gathoo has been working for over two and a half decades in the field of Special & Inclusive education. She is a Fulbright Senior Research Fellow, LEND fellow of University of Connecticut USA and also a recipient of Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship for pursuing Master’s Degree at the Washington University USA. Since 1997, Dr. Varsha Gathoo is the Head of the Department of Education at the National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped Mumbai under the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India. Dr Varsha has undertaken various long-term research projects and has successfully guided Master’s degree and Phd students. She has various National and International presentations to her credit & has also published articles and contributed as writer and editor for national & international journals. She has also contributed to professional development manuals of Open Universities such as IGNOU, YCMOU, Tamil Nadu Open University and other national organizations such as NCERT and international organizations such as World Bank and Mauritius Institute of Education. Dr. Varsha Gathoo has been awarded the Best Teacher Award amongst all the affiliated colleges of the University of Mumbai for her valuable contributions in Knowledge, teaching, research and dedication.
DR RADHIKA MISQUITTA
Director, Research and Outreach, Gateway School of Mumbai
A Ph.D (Learning Disabilities) and currently the co-principal at The Gateway School of Mumbai. She has been involved in generating evidence-based practices that support students with disabilities, partnering with schools and organisations to support learning for students with disabilities and sharing evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities. She is a part of a Core Group dedicated to supporting students with disabilities in Mumbai and India at GATI : Ayma’s Consortium on Education for PwD. Involved in increasing academic achievement for students with disabilities: Insights from a study in India on optimising learning time. She has been a part of multiple conferences and a few of her presentations are Universal Design for Learning in the Indian Classroom : Supporting Struggling Learners and A mobile Appplication for Building foundational Literacy Skills. A practical and effective programme to build foundational reading skills for primary grade struggling learners in India and Increasing academic achievement for students with disabilities: Insights from a study in India on optimising learning time, are a few among her many works as a publisher.
DR MITHU ALUR
Founder Chairperson, ADAPT (Formerly Spastic Society of India)
Dr Mithu Alur, Founder Chairperson of the Spastics Society of India, now called ADAPT, began a new model combining education and treatment with socio emotional development, for children with cerebral palsy. Knowledge and technical know-how were shared freely, leading to similar services in 29 of the Indian States. The organisation has got the Award of the Best Voluntary Society and the Government of India honoured her with a Padmashri. Her Ph.D. research analysed policy for disabled people in India and her findings lead the organisation to change its policy from segregated education to inclusive education. In 2009 the Government passed the RTE Act in Parliament which for the first time through her intervention, included children with disability. She has been on several Government Committees; written extensively and produced many publications. She has been a social entrepreneur, built institutions, raised funds for the cause of the underprivileged and disabled. Dr. Alur has worked to serve India in true Gandhian spirit, using humanism, federalism and on a spiritual level, beyond prestige, power and money.
MR JAI PATNI
Arts Based Therapist
Jai Hopf Patni is an ABT practioneer specializing in helping people with special needs. Jai attended several different schools as a child before he was homeschooled, due to his learning differences making it difficult for him to fit into normal schools. Experiential homeschooling included science labs at Muktangan exploratorium and student centered learning. He also participated in Apni Shala’s 6 month youth program in Mumbai. His experiential education
helped him be selected into the Lighthouse (Nirmala Niketan) ABT course. Partially due to his own ASD diagnosis, he has focussed his ABT practice on helping other people on the spectrum. He is currently participating in the CHILD holistic inclusion of learner’s with diversities course by Aatman Academy.
helped him be selected into the Lighthouse (Nirmala Niketan) ABT course. Partially due to his own ASD diagnosis, he has focussed his ABT practice on helping other people on the spectrum. He is currently participating in the CHILD holistic inclusion of learner’s with diversities course by Aatman Academy.
DR J. VIJAYALAKSHMY
Former HOD Medical Sciences, NIEPMD
JA medical doctor turned rehabilitation worker. She is trained in deaf blind, multi-handicap, trained in Autism, early identification of multiple disabilities. She is also trained in interventional strategies from a multidisciplinary team. Training in assessment of all areas including sensory,(hearing, vision, low vision sensory integration), motor, cognition, speech, social, emotional, psychological, occupational and adult independent living skill, identification ,diagnosis, programme planning, referrals, learning braille, sign language, mobility various equipment. She has worked as Research Associate, ICMR ; worked as a Research Associate, ICMR and is also a lecturer. She has also been a part of Development of Curriculum for teacher training in Deaf Blindness. She has been a part of many National and International presentations, TV shows and is also a recipient of 3 awards.
MS APOORVA PANSHIKAR
Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
Apoorva Panshikar is a special educator, teacher educator, psychologist and a counsellor. She has been teaching students at under and post graduate levels at the Department of Special Education, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai for the past 15 years. Her area of specialization is management of children with Learning Disabilities. As a Special Education Teacher and a counsellor, she has worked with children having Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, and Learning Disabilities, and their parents. Apart from being involved in pre-service teacher education, she also provides in-service teacher education to teachers from general schools and special schools. She conducts assessments for diagnosis of Learning Disability. She is a member of various expert committees for development of curricula in Special Education at regional as well as national level. As a member of the Rehabilitation Council of India, she conducts inspections and evaluates the institutions providing teacher education. She has undertaken numerous researches and has presented her researches at regional, national and international conferences and seminars. She has developed study material in the area of special education for SNDT Women’s University, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Netaji Subhash Open University (NSOU).
PROF. PREETI VERMA
Professor and Former Head in the Department of Special Education
Preeti Verma is Professor and former Head in the department of Special Education. She is Associate Dean Interdisciplinary Studies.She is the Internal Quality Assurance coordinator and also the member of Centre for Internal Quality assurance cell. She is the chairperson of Internal Complaint Committee.She is member of Academic Council of the university and Chairperson Board of Studies in special education at SNDT Women’s University and Member Board of Studies at Pune University, Mumbai University and Goa University. She has more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research and psychoeducational assessments. Her area of specialization is Assessment, learning disability, Inclusive education, teacher Education, curriculum development etc. Her works have appeared in leading international and national journals. She has written self-learning modules for national and international universities and organisations like YCMOU, Netaji Subhash Open University, IGNOU and Mauritus Institute of education. Prof. Verma acts as a reviewer for many scientific journals and presents her work at international conferences and other venues. She has been associated with various international agencies like NICO, SAT, Monash University Australia and Sagami Women’s University, Japan.
MS SACHU RAMALINGAM
Head, Inclusive Education & Quality Assurance, Billabong Schools.
A holder of a double Post Graduate Degree and is pursuing Ph.D in Special Education from SNDT Women’s University. A person with visual impairment herself, she is a trained professional with specialization in special education with a focus on low vision, blindness and hearing impairment. Currently, the Head Quality Assurance and Inclusive Education, Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd. and Billabong High International schools in India and abroad. She is the visiting faculty for Medical Psychology and Low Vision Rehabilitation at Lotus College of Optometry and was on the board of All India Confederation of the Blind, India. She was associated with SNDT Women’s University as Asst. Professor, CBM CBR Services & IT Resource Training Centre as Head of the Department of vision rehabilitation at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi, with UPAHAR (NGO) as Regional Director, Coimbatore and so on. She has over 32 National and International paper presentations and 16 publications to her credit; has a National Award from the President of India, Neelam Kanga Award, NCPEDP Helen Keller Award among other various awards. She is also the lead authors of the, “ Guidelines for comprehensive management of persons with low vision in India; A Vision 2020: Right to Sight India Publication”
PROF. SMRITI SWARUP
Former Director of Centre of Special Education and Dean Faculty of Education, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.
Prof. Smriti Swarup is an eminent psycho-educationist, clinical psychologist, and a teacher educator having more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research, educational planning and administration in the area of education and special education. She has developed various psychometric tests for schools and industry and a series of diagnostic tests in the area of learning disabilities. Dr. Smriti Swarup is an expert member of various committees of the Govt. of India, Universities, National Institutes of various Disabilities, UGC, RCI, NCTE, NCERT, and NAAC. Widely travelled, she had academic experience in UK, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Japan. She is a recipient of many awards and scholarships at the local, state and national levels including Best Teachers Award, Govt. of Maharashtra. Presently an educational consultant with the Govt. of Mauritius Prof. Smriti Swarup is known for her academic insight and professional excellence.
MRS VATHSALA SHARMA
Head, Institute of Special Education, Arya Vidya Mandir School (AVM)
Ms Vathsala Sharma holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and a Post Master’s Diploma in Counselling Psychology. She has over three decades of experience in special education. In the 1990s, she worked in a special school for children with learning disabilities. Subsequently, as remedial teacher in a mainstream SSC school, she was responsible for establishing the process of identification, assessment and remediation of students with special needs. Currently, Ms Sharma oversees the Resource Rooms in the three schools of the Arya Vidya Mandir Group of Institutions. As coordinator for the AVM Institute of Special Education, she runs a certificate course on Learning Disabilities for general education teachers, parents and others in the field of education. Developed the Life Skill Curriculum along with WHO guidelines and was instrumental in introducing the programme for all children in Arya Vidya Mandir. Ms Sharma has introduced the DMT programme and facilitated the development of DMT curriculum for school children. She introduced the ‘Do and Discover’ approach to teach math in AVM. Prepared the teacher manual for Grades 1 to 4.
PROF. PRADNYA WAKPAINJAN
Associate Professor in Education, Department of Education, SNDT Women’s University
Working as Associate Professor in Education at Department of Education. SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai. She has experience of 24 years of teaching and 25 years in research. Seven students have completed their Ph.D. and has guided more than 120 M.Ed. students. The areas of research include Educational Sociology, Teacher education, Educational Psychology, Educational Technology Education Management. Currently she is supervising six Ph.D. studies.
PROF. MYTHILI RAMCHAND
Centre for Education Innovation and Action Research, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
Before joining TISS Prof. Mythili Ramchand was the Director of RV Educational Consortium, Bangalore from 2005 to 2018. She worked as science teacher educator and a high school physics teacher prior to 2005. Prof. Mythili has led a number of collaborative projects and research studies in Karnataka. She has worked on initial teacher education
curriculum and developed reading and related materials and been involved in capacity enhancement programmes for faculty of education. Currently she anchors a Post Graduation Certification programme for faculty of education offered by TISS. Prof. Mythili has offered her consultancy to a number of organisations and been in the panel of committees on teacher education curriculum renewal and reforms. She is currently a member of the Institutional Advisory Board of Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Mysore. Prof. Mythili Ramchand’s research interests are in the areas of philosophy of education, initial teacher preparation, inclusive education from a social justice perspective and mediation of resources in teaching learning process. Over the dozen research studies that Prof. Mythili has led, she has extensively used Participatory Action Research, Multimethod surveys and case study approach. Four of the studies were Evaluation/Impact assessment of large-scale Government/NGO driven projects in elementary schools. She has many publications and projects to her credit.
curriculum and developed reading and related materials and been involved in capacity enhancement programmes for faculty of education. Currently she anchors a Post Graduation Certification programme for faculty of education offered by TISS. Prof. Mythili has offered her consultancy to a number of organisations and been in the panel of committees on teacher education curriculum renewal and reforms. She is currently a member of the Institutional Advisory Board of Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Mysore. Prof. Mythili Ramchand’s research interests are in the areas of philosophy of education, initial teacher preparation, inclusive education from a social justice perspective and mediation of resources in teaching learning process. Over the dozen research studies that Prof. Mythili has led, she has extensively used Participatory Action Research, Multimethod surveys and case study approach. Four of the studies were Evaluation/Impact assessment of large-scale Government/NGO driven projects in elementary schools. She has many publications and projects to her credit.
MS RITIKA SAHNI
Founder Trinayani
Ms Ritika Sahni is passionate about disability rights as human rights and advocates for positive change in the lives of persons with and without disabilities through her NGO Trinayani which she founded in 2006. She has worked in the disability sector for almost 25 years in various capacities, in premier organizations. Ms Ritika spearheads all advocacy driven initiatives of Trinayani. She owns a Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Education (B.ed) in 90′, enabled her to teach and lecture at various institutions dealing with disability as a Consultant in Disability Inclusion. Ms Ritika is also a professional singer performer with solo albums to her credit besides producing music for children. She combines her passion for performing arts with the effort towards achieving a more tolerant and thus an Inclusive society.
SMT MANISHA VERMA
Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Govt. of Maharashtra
Smt Manisha Sharma has been is a serving Indian Administrative Service officer with 20 years of experience in public policy and management with focus on education, social inclusion and empowerment. After years of honing her skills in negotiations, mediation and leadership, in posts like State Project Director, Rashtriya Uchhtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 2015 – 16, Joint Secretary/Director, National Advisory Council (NAC), Prime Minister’s Office, Govt. of India, 2010 –2014, Director, UNESCO and International Cooperation, Ministry of Human Resorce Development (HRD), Government of India, 2008 – 2010, she joined the Tribal Development
Department as Principal Secretary in 2017. Her expertise is in leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments to implement large scale projects and development programs. She has advanced training in law, human rights, development & public administration in India, UK and US. She has gained deep insights and knowledge from study and travel in Western Europe, US and Asia including Japan, China and Sri Lanka and remote areas of India. She is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2014- 15, she was awarded as Fellow, Edward S. Mason Program in Public Policy and Management Harvard Kennedy School. She is also an Awardee of the A Leon Higginbotham Public Leadership Fellowship, Harvard Kennedy School (2014), as well as the Hubert H. Humphrey (Fulbright) Fellowship (2013-14). Smt Manisha has many publications to her credit. ‘Forest Rights Act – A radical reform’ in Ecology Economy- quest for a Socially Informed Connection. Initiatives for promoting Urban Housing Rights to name a couple from the extensive list.
Department as Principal Secretary in 2017. Her expertise is in leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments to implement large scale projects and development programs. She has advanced training in law, human rights, development & public administration in India, UK and US. She has gained deep insights and knowledge from study and travel in Western Europe, US and Asia including Japan, China and Sri Lanka and remote areas of India. She is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2014- 15, she was awarded as Fellow, Edward S. Mason Program in Public Policy and Management Harvard Kennedy School. She is also an Awardee of the A Leon Higginbotham Public Leadership Fellowship, Harvard Kennedy School (2014), as well as the Hubert H. Humphrey (Fulbright) Fellowship (2013-14). Smt Manisha has many publications to her credit. ‘Forest Rights Act – A radical reform’ in Ecology Economy- quest for a Socially Informed Connection. Initiatives for promoting Urban Housing Rights to name a couple from the extensive list.
PROF. SUJATA BHAN
Professor and Head, Department of Special Education, SNDT WU
Dr. Sujata Bhan is Professor and Heading the department of Special Education. She has Masters and M.Phil. degree in Psychology from Panjab University and Ph.D. in Special Education from SNDT WU. She has 26 years of experience in teaching, research and extension work in the department. She is a member of many academic bodies like Board of Studies in Special Education at SNDT Women’s University and University of Mumbai. She is a board member of Council of International Fellowship. Dr. Sujata Bhan is an expert member of various committees of the Govt. of Maharashtra, National Institutes like, NAAC, RCI, NCTE, NCERT. She has been
invited by international organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, CBM and British
Council etc. for various research activities. She has availed UGC educational Exchange scholarship to visit Mauritius for her doctoral work. She has visited Sweden on a fellowship. She was invited by University of Macerata, Italy for an academic programme. Dr Bhan has published many books and chapters in books and articles in journals of national and international repute. She has written self-learning modules for national
and international universities and organisations like YCMOU, Bhoj University, IGNOU and Mauritius Institute of education. Dr Bhan is also a reviewer for many scientific journals and part of editorial board and is invited at international, national conferences often as plenary and keynote speaker. Dr Sujata Bhan is constantly striving for creating a difference in the field of disability sector by initiating and being a part of the change.
invited by international organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, CBM and British
Council etc. for various research activities. She has availed UGC educational Exchange scholarship to visit Mauritius for her doctoral work. She has visited Sweden on a fellowship. She was invited by University of Macerata, Italy for an academic programme. Dr Bhan has published many books and chapters in books and articles in journals of national and international repute. She has written self-learning modules for national
and international universities and organisations like YCMOU, Bhoj University, IGNOU and Mauritius Institute of education. Dr Bhan is also a reviewer for many scientific journals and part of editorial board and is invited at international, national conferences often as plenary and keynote speaker. Dr Sujata Bhan is constantly striving for creating a difference in the field of disability sector by initiating and being a part of the change.