Experts call for transforming mindsets and curriculum at seminar on disability and social inclusion at JMI

The Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in collaboration with the Office of the Dean, Academic Affairs, on 18 February conducted a day-long seminar-cum-workshop on ‘Disability and Social Inclusion in India: A Roadmap for Change’. The event saw enthusiastic participation from academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students.

In her welcome address, Prof. Tanuja, Officiating Director of CSSI and Dean of Academic Affairs, framed inclusion as a matter of fundamental justice and pluralism in alignment, while Dr. Arvind Kumar, convenor of the seminar, highlighted the Centre’s success by recognizing the achievements of Faisal, an alumnus of the Centre who is a Hellen Keller awardee now.

Dr. Ashima Mangla, Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission and Guest of Honour, advocated for a mindset shift treating the differently-abled as equal, creative citizens, which Prof. Nilofer Afzal, Dean of Student Welfare, JMI, added to the discussion by calling for deep-seated sensitization across the physical, academic, and social spheres of university life.

The Chief Guest on the occasion, Prof. Sohrab Ahmad Khan, Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, urged strict adherence to UGC accessibility guidelines to support the high prevalence of disability among the elderly and working population, while Adv. Dr. K. C. George, Secretary, Chief Executive, Deepalaya & Former Joint Director, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India, opined to "include everyone, exclude none," emphasizing sign language literacy and decision-making power.

In her keynote, Prof. Nilika Mehrotra of JNU addressed the intersectionality of disability with gender and caste, calling for a shift in curriculum and attitude, a sentiment echoed by Dr. Rasheed, Assistant Prof., Faculty of Law, JMI, who discussed ‘Blind Ethnography’ as a sensory method to overcome traditional research biases. Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, JMI, concluded by reaffirming the power of education and calling for a rejection of discriminatory attitudes that treat the differently-abled as inferior.

The first technical session, "Discourses on Disability in the Indian Context," chaired by Prof. Rakesh Kumar Sharma from the University of Delhi (DU), examined the structural and legal barriers facing the community. The second technical session, “Narratives of Disability: Agency, Representation, and Frameworks," was chaired by Prof. Sarika Sharma, Professor, Faculty of Education, Jamia Millia Islamia. The distinguished speakers shared critical insights on reimagining disability discourse through rights-based, inclusive, and agency-centered perspectives.

Faisal Ashraf Nomani, alumnus of JMI, highlighted self-advocacy and visibility as key to reshaping disability narratives. Anwesha Baruah, associated with JMI, underscored the role of policy advocacy and leadership platforms in advancing disability rights.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”