CategoriesStories of ChangeBackground and Challenge Naman Bhattacharjee is a bright and curious young person who enjoys music, food, travel, and technology. He has a strong memory, an ability to observe emotions around him, and a keen interest in sounds, gadgets, and cooking. However, like many young people with developmental disabilities, Naman experienced barriers in communication, social participation, […]
CategoriesAwareness CSR and CompaniesDisability is not a marginal issue—it is a fundamental part of the human experience. Globally, over 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability. In India, official estimates suggest 26.8 million persons with disabilities, though the real number is likely much higher due to underreporting. Within this population are millions of neurodivergent individuals, including […]
CategoriesAwareness CSR and CompaniesAs corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments in disability inclusion continue to grow in India, many companies are making sincere efforts to support persons with disabilities. However, disability is a highly specialised field that intersects with education, health, rehabilitation, employment, and social inclusion. As a result, well-intentioned CSR initiatives sometimes fall into predictable pitfalls when programmes […]
CategoriesAwareness CSR and CompaniesIn CSR committee meetings across India, one number often dominates the discussion: cost per beneficiary. It appears neutral, rational, and financially prudent. Lower cost per head is frequently equated with efficiency, scalability, and good governance. But in disability-focused CSR — particularly in neurodiversity and developmental disabilities — cost per beneficiary is not merely misleading; it […]
CategoriesStories of ChangeIf you walk into a classroom at Ashish Foundation, you might hear a confident voice say,“Don’t touch my hair! You’ll mess it up!” It sounds like typical teenage sass. But for sixteen-year-old Devangi, it is something much deeper — a declaration of boundaries, dignity, and self-worth. Nearly ten years ago, when Devangi first came to […]
CategoriesAwareness CSR and CompaniesEvery year, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments in India channel significant resources into education, therapy, skill development, and employment initiatives for persons with disabilities. These efforts are well-intentioned and often substantial in scale. Yet a critical question continues to sit at the margins of CSR decision-making: Are these investments enabling people to live meaningful, valued […]
CategoriesAwareness Research StudiesRethinking Disability, Dignity, and Human Flourishing through SRV and Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach What does it mean to live a good life? For decades, development, education, and disability systems have tried to answer this question through metrics of productivity, independence, economic output, or charity-based support. However, a growing body of scholarship has shown that such […]
CategoriesStories of ChangeAryan is a 15-year-old boy from Shadipur, Delhi. He joined Ashish Foundation in 2024, marking his first experience of formal learning and structured support. His journey reflects how timely guidance, family support, and the right environment can bring meaningful change. Ashish Foundation first came in contact with Aryan during a community outreach visit in Shadipur. […]
CategoriesStories of ChangeWhen a child’s needs do not fit into conventional systems, families are often left to navigate uncertainty alone. Vatsal’s journey began in such a space—shaped by his mother’s determination to understand, support, and believe in her son. Over time, that belief was strengthened and sustained through structured, role-focused support at Ashish Foundation, where care evolved […]
CategoriesStories of ChangeWhen Krishna Priya walks into the centre today, there is a quiet confidence in the way she carries herself. She listens carefully, responds with words, and takes pride in completing her tasks independently—small actions that reflect a remarkable inner transformation. This was not always her reality. Growing up, Krishna Priya faced significant challenges with communication […]
