Women Changing the Disability Arena in India

Mar 5, 2022
7 min read

Updated: Jul 2

Women Changing the Disability Arena in India

Women have shaped some of the most important leadership roles across every sector, and disability advocacy in India is no exception. This International Women's Day, 1SpecialPlace celebrates the extraordinary women driving progress in the disability space — as founders, mothers, therapists, educators, and advocates working to build a more inclusive future for all.

Meet the Women Reshaping India's Disability Sector

Mrs. Pratiksha Gupta — Founder & CEO, 1SpecialPlace

Pratiksha Gupta is the Founder and CEO of 1SpecialPlace, India's pioneering, award-winning speech therapy organization. She's been a practicing speech-language therapist and audiologist since 2007, a Gold Medalist from the University of Mysore, and a course topper from University College London. Her clinical career spans hospitals, early intervention centers, and clinics worldwide.

Pratiksha has delivered workshops and training programs for schools, universities, and corporates across India and internationally, and 1SpecialPlace has earned recognition from organizations including Amazon and AssisTech for its innovation in the field.

Mrs. Kamini Lakhani — Founder, SAI Connections

Mrs. Kamini Lakhani, founder of SAI Connections and mother to an autistic son, shares: "When Mohit, my son was little, I promised him I would speak up for him and others like him, till they spoke up for themselves. I'm just keeping up my end of the promise. Respectful and dignified treatment of autistic individuals is crucial."

Mrs. Anshul Batra — Autism Mother, 1Special Woman Awardee

Mrs. Anshul Batra, an autism mother and 1Special Woman Awardee, offers this encouragement: "Just keep moving, don't stop, don't give up… believe in your son and yourself. 'Apna time aayega'!"

Mrs. Bharati Kapoor — Psychologist & Senior Special Educator

Mrs. Bharati Kapoor shares a moment that captures why her work matters: "A child who had been referred to us when he was in the 6th grade for intellectual disability came back to tell us that he was an engineer and working in renewable energy."

Dr. Sonali Kataria — Doctor and Mother of Two

Dr. Sonali Kataria speaks to both the workplace and human side of inclusion: "If you are an entrepreneur who wishes to have a great workforce of employees, and you have work that can perhaps interest a person with autism, then an autistic person is the best employee for you."

She adds a message worth sitting with: "When you meet a person with autism, look beyond the lost, disconnected child. See the beauty of the human being in there, who is waiting to be accepted for who he is, and included with all of you, in this very world."

Mrs. Gopika Kapoor — Author and Autism Mother

Mrs. Gopika Kapoor challenges assumptions directly: "Never underestimate the potential of an individual with a difference — any difference. We all are capable of contributing meaningfully to society, including people on the spectrum. By underestimating them, we do not allow them to fulfil their potential, and that is doing a disservice to them."

Ms. Gouri Ganta — Founder, "Maasi"

Ms. Gouri Ganta, founder of Maasi, an organization supporting sensory needs, reflects: "I think everyone has their own journey, and one should trust that. However, it is always advisable to ask for help and explore various possible ways to help and heal individuals, as none of us are alone in this."

Mrs. Sulekha — Founder, "Thumbi by Ruwi"

Mrs. Sulekha, mother of Ms. Ruwi and founder of home décor brand Thumbi by Ruwi, offers practical advice: "Parenting a child with autism can be stressful. Reach out for help from professionals, talk to other parents who have walked the path before you."

Dr. Sushma Nagarkar — Founder, Café Arpan

Dr. Sushma Nagarkar is the founder of Mumbai’s popular café “Café Arpan”. She quotes “A country like India has the second largest population in the world, a country with such diversity will flourish with acceptance, empowerment, and inclusion. These three words form the pillars of what I believe should be the future of the disability sector.”

Mrs. Mini Dwivedi Gopinathan — Founder, "PlayStreet" Bangalore

Mrs. Mini Dwivedi Gopinathan leaves parents with a simple but powerful takeaway: "Slow down yourself to speed up the development of your child."

Ms. Deepa Garwa — Reading Consultant for Special Needs

Ms. Deepa Garwa reflects on what years in the field have taught her: "I believe life teaches us a new lesson every day; it is only up to us to see those as life-changing experiences. The one thing that I have learned over all these years is the fact that your attitude can change the course of your life. Everything can be dealt with a positive attitude."

Mrs. Smrithy Rajesh — Autism Mother and Advocate

Mrs. Smrithy Rajesh, whose own journey with her son Advaith has inspired many parents, shares: "Accept and understand Autism. Acceptance starts from us. The mother is the best therapist, and love is the best method for our kids. Find their strengths, and at the same time, train them to handle their difficulties too."

Ms. Neha Tiwari — Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist

Ms. Neha Tiwari speaks to the realities of practicing in underserved areas: "Working and spreading awareness about the field in remote areas, getting to know the ground-level difficulties of professionals working in remote areas, and how they cope with the limitations has been an enriching experience."

Mrs. Kreeti Mitra Bhatia — Founder, "The Special Mom"

Mrs. Kreeti Mitra Bhatia shares the vision behind her work: "I dream of a future where everyone is co-existing with happiness, understanding, and acceptance. My next goal is inclusion and acceptance of all children, thus helping the future generation of people live in a beautiful world where special needs children are understood and welcomed."

Ms. Khwaish Gupta — Sign Language Community Advocate

Ms. Khwaish Gupta is an advocate for the sign language community. She shares “Do not let disability define you.”

Dr. Prathibha Karanth — Founder & Director, COMDEALL Trust

Dr. Prathibha Karanth shares career advice rooted in genuine curiosity: "Try to identify aspects of it that you find fascinating and challenging; then pursue it as best as you can along with like-minded professionals within our field, as well as other related disciplines."

Ms. Aparna Das — Founder, Project ARUNIMA

Ms. Aparna Das, founder of Project ARUNIMA, a project for autistic adults, reframes what inclusion actually requires: "Our goal is to bring each person to the level of 'happy independence' possible, because that is a human right. They are not the only ones who have to learn the ways of the 'neurotypical' world. The world has to learn their ways too, and both respect and accept them, to achieve true inclusion."

Ms. Prachi Deo — Founder & Executive Director, Nayi Disha

Ms. Prachi Deo shares the mission behind Nayi Disha, an organization for people with developmental disabilities: "Our vision is to enable and equip families affected by developmental disabilities to be the change agents in the development journey of their loved ones, and not leave any family behind."

Mrs. Pooja Joshi Bhadrige — Founder, Angelman Foundation India

Mrs. Pooja Joshi Bhadrige emphasizes the emotional foundation of good parenting: "Staying positive is the key to a better life. I know it is very difficult. But unless the parents are happy, they cannot pass it to their children. Children will achieve a great milestone if he or she is happy inside."

Ms. Seema Lal — TogetherWeCan

Ms. Seema Lal raises an important, more difficult point about the sector itself: "With the alarming increase in diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders, autism in particular, the disability sector becomes a perfect [target] for both business and abuse, thanks to the extreme vulnerability of both children and parents. We glorify disability by calling it a different ability, special need, or divyang, but fail to provide the basic human right to safety and dignity of life. Education and inclusion become a far cry unless families are empowered to voice for the same."

A Shared Thread Across These Stories

What stands out across these twenty stories isn't just individual achievement — it's a shared commitment to dignity, acceptance, and genuine inclusion, often built from deeply personal experience. Whether as mothers, clinicians, founders, or advocates, each of these women is working to make India's disability sector safer, more accessible, and more human.

To all the strong women shaping this space — we admire and salute you. Happy Women's Day, from all of us at 1SpecialPlace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is representation of women in the disability sector important in India? Women make up a significant share of primary caregivers, founders, and clinicians working in disability care and advocacy in India. Their lived experience — often as mothers of children with disabilities themselves — shapes more empathetic, practical, and family-centered approaches to therapy, education, and advocacy.

What organizations are mentioned in this feature?

This piece highlights women behind organizations including 1SpecialPlace, SAI Connections, COMDEALL Trust, Project ARUNIMA, Nayi Disha, Angelman Foundation India, TogetherWeCan, Café Arpan, PlayStreet, Maasi, Thumbi by Ruwi, and The Special Mom, among others working across autism support, special education, sensory needs, and developmental disabilities.

How can I get support if my child has been diagnosed with a developmental disability?

Early, structured intervention makes a meaningful difference. A good starting point is a professional developmental or speech-language screening to understand your child's specific needs before choosing a therapy path.

Is this an annual feature from 1SpecialPlace?

Yes — 1SpecialPlace regularly features inspiring individuals and families in the disability community through features like this one and our Wall of Fame series, especially around occasions like International Women's Day and World Autism Awareness Day.