Svayam partners with Kirori Mal College to give DU students a firsthand experience of the life of person with reduced mobility

New Delhi: Svayam, a leading organisation championing the cause of inclusive accessibility, reiterated its focus on creating inclusive spaces through its partnership with Kirori Mal College at the Accessible Horizons 2026, offering University of Delhi students a firsthand experience of the everyday realities faced by persons with reduced mobility. The one-day initiative, held recently, was organized by the Centre for Disability Research and Training (CDRT) in association with Saksham, and brought together students, educators, disability rights activists, and organisations working in the accessibility space. Svayam has been actively supporting colleges in the past as well, including Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), to sensitise young minds on accessibility and inclusion through experiential engagement.


Svayam was at the forefront by establishing an experiential Stimulation Zone at the expo, where participants were given a chance to experience the reality of living with reduced mobility. By engaging with simulated experiences that included limited mobility and sensory challenges, Svayam encouraged students, faculty members, and attendees to appreciate the need for accessible infrastructure. The expo provided the right platform for knowledge sharing and an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and work collectively toward a more inclusive community.

Sminu Jindal, Founder -Chairperson of Svayam, said, “Accessibility awareness needs more than just discussions; it needs experiences that help people empathize and understand the need for inclusivity and accessibility. Events such as Accessible Horizons 2026 provide young minds with an opportunity to experience these realities and motivate them to think differently and work towards making spaces accessible to all. We are very happy with the response we got at the expo, where people came forward for the stimulated experiences. I am sure we have made the right impact to set the ball rolling. I would also like to appreciate Kirori Mal College for organizing this event and for taking the important initiative to center accessibility in its vision and conversations.”

Professor Dinesh Khattar, Principal of Kirori Mal College, said, “The simulation zone set up by Svayam is an immersive life changing experience that makes people understand the real life barriers faced by those with restrictive mobility. This fosters in us a deep sense of understanding and empathy towards them. Svayam needs to be lauded for its endeavours to create a barrier free environment.”

Accessible Horizons 2026 offered a variety of activities such as panel discussions, competitions, exhibitions, theatrical performances, and accessible games, all of which were designed to facilitate dialogue and awareness about inclusion. All the activities were aligned for participation for not only people with reduced mobility but others. The event saw great participation throughout the day while the expo emphasized accessibility as an essential part of one’s life, encouraging people to shift from awareness to action.

Komal Arya, Student at Kirori Mal College, said, “Experiencing Svayam’s stimulation zone was truly eye-opening. It helped me understand, even briefly, what daily life can feel like from the perspective of someone with reduced mobility. Simple tasks we take for granted suddenly felt challenging, and that shift in perspective stays with you. I’m grateful to Svayam and Kirori Mal College for creating this opportunity and bringing the conversation around accessibility into the public eye in such a powerful, experiential way.“

Svayam’s initiative was very much in line with this thought process, which emphasized experiential learning and engagement. The Stimulation Zone was a platform that showcased how accessibility is not just a gesture of accommodation but a basic right that leads to independence and equality. The event saw very enthusiastic participation, with Svayam’s Stimulation Zone being one of the major highlights. Svayam, through such initiatives, continues to spread the message of accessibility as a basic right and is committed to creating a more inclusive and equal society.

The success of Accessible Horizons 2026 is a positive reflection of the core mission of the event, which is to create spaces where every voice is heard, every effort counts, and every individual participates with dignity and confidence.


About Svayam

Svayam is a leading accessibility organization that aims to reform infrastructure and transportation to make it accessible for people with reduced mobility. Accessibility aids individuals and gives them the freedom to independently explore the built environment around them, irrespective of their physical capabilities. This was on philanthropist-business visionary Sminu Jindal's mind when she founded Svayam in October 2000. An initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust, Svayam is a not-for-profit accessibility pioneer that focuses on creating a barrier-free world for all.

User :- Aniruddh Chatterjee

Email :-aniruddh@wishboxstudio.com