10th N. S. Hema Awards 2026 for Disability Inclusion (India)

The 10th N. S. Hema Awards 2026, organised by the Association of People with Disability (APD), recognise non-profit organisations in India that are creating impactful solutions for disability inclusion. The awards celebrate innovative approaches, accessibility initiatives, community empowerment, and sustainable change that improve opportunities and quality of life for persons with disabilities.

About the N. S. Hema Awards 2026

The N. S. Hema Awards are an annual recognition programme launched by the Association of People with Disability (APD) to honour organisations working towards disability inclusion across India.

The 2026 edition marks the 10th N. S. Hema Awards and focuses on recognising non-profit organisations that are removing barriers faced by persons with disabilities through innovative programmes, community-based interventions, and sustainable solutions.

The awards are instituted in memory of Ms. N. S. Hema, the visionary founder of APD, whose work contributed significantly to disability rights, rehabilitation, and inclusive development.

Purpose of the Awards

The awards aim to:

• Recognise organisations advancing disability inclusion.
• Highlight innovative disability-focused solutions.
• Promote accessibility and equal opportunities.
• Celebrate organisations creating measurable social impact.
• Encourage sustainable models of disability empowerment.

The programme provides a platform to showcase organisations that are transforming communities and improving participation of persons with disabilities.

Key Focus Areas

The N. S. Hema Awards 2026 recognise organisations working in areas such as:

Disability Inclusion

Supported organisations should demonstrate efforts to:

• Promote equal participation of persons with disabilities.
• Reduce social and physical barriers.
• Improve access to opportunities.
• Strengthen disability rights.

Innovative Approaches to Inclusion

The awards highlight organisations developing:

• New models of disability support.
• Creative solutions for accessibility.
• Technology-based inclusion approaches.
• Community-driven programmes.

Community Empowerment

Recognised initiatives may include work that:

• Builds confidence among persons with disabilities.
• Strengthens community participation.
• Creates employment and livelihood opportunities.
• Supports independent living.

Accessibility and Equal Opportunities

The awards encourage organisations improving:

• Physical accessibility.
• Digital accessibility.
• Inclusive education.
• Accessible services and environments.

Measurable Social Impact

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Clear outcomes.
• Evidence of community benefit.
• Positive changes created through their programmes.

Sustainable Change

The awards value organisations creating long-term impact through:

• Sustainable programmes.
• Strong community partnerships.
• Scalable approaches.
• Effective leadership.

Benefits of Receiving the Award

Selected organisations will receive:

• Recognition for their disability inclusion work.
• Increased institutional visibility.
• Opportunities for strategic networking.
• Partnership opportunities with development organisations.
• Greater exposure within CSR and philanthropy sectors.

The awards help organisations strengthen their credibility and expand the reach of their social impact.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to:

• Non-profit organisations working on disability inclusion in India.

Eligible organisations should be involved in activities that:

• Support persons with disabilities.
• Promote inclusion and accessibility.
• Create meaningful social change.

Who Can Nominate Organisations?

The award encourages nominations from:

• Individuals.
• Development professionals.
• Organisations.
• Networks and partners.

People are encouraged to nominate deserving non-profit organisations that are creating positive change in the disability sector.

How to Apply or Nominate

Applicants and nominators should follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify an Eligible Organisation

The organisation should:

• Be a non-profit entity.
• Work towards disability inclusion.
• Demonstrate meaningful impact.

Step 2: Prepare Organisation Details

Applications or nominations should highlight:

• Organisation background.
• Disability inclusion programmes.
• Innovative approaches.
• Community impact.
• Sustainability of initiatives.

Step 3: Submit Application or Nomination

Eligible organisations can apply directly, and individuals can nominate organisations that demonstrate outstanding disability inclusion work.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Disability inclusion requires innovative solutions, strong community participation, and organisations committed to removing barriers.

The N. S. Hema Awards help:

• Bring attention to successful disability inclusion models.
• Encourage organisations to expand their impact.
• Connect changemakers with supporters.
• Promote inclusive development across India.

Recognition through these awards can help organisations build stronger partnerships and increase their ability to create lasting change.

Tips for a Strong Application

Organisations should highlight:

• Specific challenges addressed.
• Number of people benefited.
• Innovative elements of their approach.
• Evidence of social impact.
• Community involvement.
• Long-term sustainability.

Applications are stronger when they clearly demonstrate how the organisation has improved inclusion and accessibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Providing only general descriptions of activities.
• Not explaining measurable impact.
• Missing evidence of sustainability.
• Failing to describe innovation.
• Submitting incomplete organisational information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the N. S. Hema Awards?

The N. S. Hema Awards are an annual recognition programme by the Association of People with Disability that honours organisations advancing disability inclusion in India.

Who can apply for the awards?

Non-profit organisations working in disability inclusion across India can apply.

Can individuals apply for the award?

Individuals cannot apply as award recipients, but they can nominate deserving non-profit organisations.

What type of organisations are recognised?

The awards recognise organisations creating innovative, accessible, and sustainable solutions for persons with disabilities.

What benefits do selected organisations receive?

Selected organisations receive recognition, visibility, networking opportunities, and platforms to showcase their work to CSR, development, and philanthropy communities.

What areas of work are encouraged?

The awards support work related to disability inclusion, accessibility, empowerment, innovation, and measurable social impact.

Why was the award established?

The award was created in memory of Ms. N. S. Hema, the founder of APD, to celebrate organisations creating meaningful change for persons with disabilities.

Conclusion

The 10th N. S. Hema Awards 2026 provide an important platform to recognise non-profit organisations leading disability inclusion efforts across India. By celebrating innovation, accessibility, community empowerment, and sustainable impact, the awards encourage stronger collaboration and support the growth of inclusive communities where persons with disabilities can participate equally and independently.