Azim Premji Foundation (The Philanthropy) supports new 'NCPEDP-Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability'

The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a cross-disability advocacy organisation, in collaboration with Azim Premji Foundation (The Philanthropy) is proud to announce the NCPEDP-Javed Abidi Fellowship on Disability. This is a three-year immersive grassroots fellowship programme for youth with disabilities having a keen interest in disability issues and looking to build a career in the development sector particularly Disability Rights and Inclusion.

This year, NCPEDP observes its silver jubilee – 25 years of struggle for disability rights, inclusion and participation – by launching the fellowship programme for selected 25 youth with disabilities on 11th June, also marking the birth anniversary of one of the pioneers of the disability rights movement in India and NCPEDP’s former Director, Late Javed Abidi, whose vision was the inclusion of youth into the disability discourse.

On the occasion, Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, said, “Taking the legacy of Javed Bhai forward, who has inspired countless people like me, we are launching this prestigious fellowship to commemorate him and his contribution to NCPEDP and the disability movement. Also, given that we are in the midst of the pandemic, people living with disabilities have been the worst affected. There is a struggle for food, access to basic healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities. The disability rights movement and inclusion of people with disabilities have been pushed back two decades! The fellows will help document such stories of struggle and good practices from all over the country to help build back better.”

Neelima Karath, Lead for Persons with Disability at The Philanthropy added, “This fellowship will train 25 youth with disability as leaders and will enable them to voice the issues of the community at decision-making platforms. Their research and work will lead to new narratives emerging from the grassroots which would guide the future of policy, advocacy and implementation in the disability ecosystem.”

Who is eligible?

The fellowship programme gives the opportunity to young fellows with disabilities (age 18 to 28) to work on an identified theme or issue during the fellowship period.

What is the course duration?

Its three-year immersive grassroots fellowship programme.

Stipend

The fellows will receive a monthly stipend for up to Rs. 25,000 to meet necessary needs during the fellowship programme.

What will they learn?

As they work with NCPEDP’s National Disability Network partners, fellows will not only gain in-depth grassroots knowledge and hands-on experience on policy-level issues and challenges, but will also get mentorship support to work towards policy change/ impact through various initiatives under the fellowship.

Further, the fellowship programme intends to engineer social entrepreneurship amongst and guide fellows in contributing to an evidence-based collection of advocacy efforts, experience and effects to the cause of disability in a pluralistic manner.

“There is a critical need for disability-related data and research for not only informed and effective advocacy campaigns by the disability sector, but also for policymakers to make informed decisions for implementing rights-based programmes and policies that will empower people with disabilities in India. Therefore, NCPEDP through this fellowship intends to not only create a repository of data-driven and evidence-based research and policy papers on various disability-related issues produced by the fellows themselves but, also envisions to produce a second line of leadership for the disability movement in India,” remarked Som Mittal, Chairperson, NCPEDP.

The fellowship programme will begin from 1st September, 2021. The application is now open and the last date to apply is August 11, 2021. Young women with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.