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For International Women's Day, in line with the UN Women’s theme for 2019 we highlight a few women innovators and social entrepreneurs who have contributed to "Think equal, Build smart & Innovate for a change." We asked these three women entrepreneurs and innovators what drove the innovation and how it benefits the community.  Aditi Gupta, Founder - Menstrupedia Making it cool for young girls to talk about menstruation We created Menstrupedia to fight the widespread unawareness…

Alive is an initiative to engage undertrials in prisons in creative projects through colours and craft sessions, a therapeutic experience which has immensely helped the inmates relieve stress and find joy and happiness. Editor's Note: While this may not seem at first like an article on health, we felt that this project demonstrates effectively the therapeutic effect of art and colouring and it is easy to adopt. So we spoke with Renelle Snelleksz, the force behind Project Alive. Tell us about…

Google launches new Android apps for the deaf and hearing impaired community. R. Radha who lost her hearing a couple of years back and her family tried out the app and shared their feedback.  According to WHO, over 5% of the world's population (466 million people) has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children).  In light of this, Google recently launched two mobile apps on Android - Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier. These are aimed at the millions of people…

The theme for Rare Disease Day 2019 is 'Bridging health and social care'. We asked people from the rare disease community (patients and family members) in India what services they would like to see improvement in? And their biggest wish for 2019. Here is what they had to say. Prasanna Shirol, Co-founder ORDI and father of child with Pompe disease would like the following policy changes from the government Compulsory New born screening in the country The supportive care is also included in all…

Often times our health issues affects our moods and sense of well-being. Some of our popular posters that will help you. Bookmark this for future use.      

A Valentine's Day Special This Valentine's Day we asked the spouses of a few of our contributors how they supported their partners during difficult times and what they would advise other spouses. They shared tips that work for their partners - practical tips, care tips, emotional tips. We look forward to hearing from each of you what works for your relationship. Santanu Syam on his support for Piali who had Choledocal Cyst I ensured that I was always with her at the doctor’s chamber and the…

Retail giant Big Bazaar has opened its stores to persons with disabilities by introducing inclusion initiatives and infrastructural changes that are disabled-friendly. An interview with Vineet Saraiwalla, Inclusion Lead, Future Retail Limited, who has helmed the movement and himself has 90% visual impairment on what needs to be done behind the scenes to make this feasible. It is for the first time that Big Bazaar’s Republic Day sale had an exclusive 2 day preview in all its stores for…

Travel is extremely important for the growth and development of the visually impaired, stresses Preeti Monga, a veteran traveller and the blind expert of Enable Travel, an accessible holiday specialist. You are a veteran traveller, having toured over a dozen countries and visited almost every state in India. What has been your experience as a blind traveller? I love travelling; it is my passion. I think a huge chunk of my knowledge bank has come to me because of my travels. You learn so much…

Can you imagine a child who has never been to a playground or a park, never been able to swing or slide! For whom open play spaces are forbidding and unfriendly. Today, in India nearly all existing outdoor play spaces are built without keeping in mind the needs of a child with disability. Children with disabilities and developmental differences are forced to stay away from playgrounds because they are inaccessible, do not have appropriate facilities and play infrastructure for them. When…

We asked some of our contributors on their wish for 2019. They tell us what they gained by sharing their experience and how they are motivated to continue to spread awareness and break stigma.  #YourExperienceMatters Preeyam Budhia - On sharing the Café ICanFlyy Story  One of the main reasons we run this cafe is because we want to break the stigma that hangs like a cloud over anyone labelled special needs. Cafe ICanFlyy works as a 24x7 awareness tool to share possibilities that become…