Svayam partners with College of Vocational Studies, DU to host a unique ‘Simulation Zone'

2026-07-13 11:47:32 News & Society

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22nd April 2026, New Delhi: Accessibility organisation Svayam, partnered with College of Vocational Studies, DU to host a unique simulation zone on 21 April 2026. Attended by over 300 students and participants, the initiative saw participation from many DU students and NSS volunteers, and was a great exercise in promoting empathy and inclusivity among the students.

Svayam, a leading organisation championing the cause of inclusive accessibility, reiterated its focus on creating inclusive spaces within the education fraternity. The one-day event was organised at the College of Vocational Studies premises in Sheikh Sarai, New Delhi. This was a pre-event activity before the college's annual flagship fest, and was attended by students, educators, disability rights activists, and organisations working in the accessibility space.

The primary objective of the initiative was to create an interactive and experiential awareness space where students could gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by persons with reduced mobility. By engaging participants in real-life simulations, the ‘Simulation Zone’ aimed to foster empathy, inclusivity, and greater social awareness within the student community.

Commenting on the event, Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, remarked, ’The Simulation Zone’ is not just a learning exercise but a way to gain firsthand knowledge about the hurdles encountered by people with reduced mobility. We at Svayam intend to promote empathy, dispel myths, and foster inclusiveness through this activity, and I am very happy that students came forward to participate. The experience I am sure has left them more aware and sensitised.”

Mr. Piyush Kumar Dubey, Convenor of Satrang Society , College of Vocational Studies said, “We sincerely appreciate Svayam for setting up the Simulation Zone at Odyssey 26, an initiative that deeply resonated with our values of inclusivity and social responsibility. The experience went beyond awareness, offering participants a powerful insight into the everyday challenges faced by persons with disabilities and fostering a stronger sense of empathy and accountability. Their contribution has been instrumental in inspiring our students to champion accessibility and work towards a more inclusive society.”.

Priyanshi Karwa, NSS Photography Head said “The Simulation Awareness Stall with Svayam was a unique and eye-opening experience for me. It helped me understand the importance of accessibility and the daily challenges faced by persons with reduced mobility. It taught me empathy and gave me a new perspective on inclusion”.

The event saw a participation of over 300 students, including volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS) as well as students from across the college. The ‘Simulation Zone’ featured a range of thoughtfully curated activities, including blindfold-based navigation exercises to simulate visual impairment, wheelchair accessibility experiences to highlight mobility challenges, and basic sign language interactions to introduce participants to alternative modes of communication. In addition, other simulation-based activities were conducted to further promote awareness, empathy, and inclusive thinking.

With this initiative, Svayam along with the College of Vocational Studies reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a more inclusive, aware, and socially responsible campus environment through meaningful and engaging student-led activities. The initiative encouraged active engagement and reflection, enabling participants to better appreciate the importance of accessibility and inclusion in everyday life.

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.