Accessibility Tools
By Chetan Kapoor, CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation
Sometimes the most profound realizations come not from grand revelations, but from moments of honest reflection. For me, such a moment came three years ago while visiting some of our projects in the disability space being implemented by our incredible NGO partners.
Since 2006, Tech Mahindra Foundation has been driven by a simple yet powerful mantra: “Empowerment through Education.” From day one, we committed that at least 10% of all who we support would be persons with disabilities. This wasn’t just a number on a dashboard; it was a promise to ensure that our programs truly served those who needed them most.
Over the years, we developed two flagship programs: ARISE+ for education and SMART+ for employability. Both were launched in 2013. Working alongside exceptional NGO partners, we’ve supported over 70,000 persons with disabilities through these two programs.
But success sometimes blinds us to our own limitations. Three years ago – just as we were getting out of the pandemic pandemonium – I observed something that should have been obvious much earlier: our ARISE+ and SMART+ programs were running on parallel tracks. Barring very few exceptions, children who benefited from ARISE+ had no natural pathway to SMART+ as they grew older.
This realization hit hard. Here we were, supporting individuals who often need assistance throughout their lives, yet we were treating their needs in isolation rather than as part of a continuous journey.
As I reflected deeper, other critical gaps became apparent. Organizations in the disability space were operating in silos, with monumental knowledge and resources scattered across hundreds of NGOs, startups, and institutions with minimal collaboration. Families and caregivers – especially from economically disadvantaged backgrounds – struggled with social stigma, lack of awareness, delayed detection, and most critically, not knowing where to turn for help.
Meanwhile, with AI and digital platforms rapidly evolving, I could see unprecedented possibilities to address these systemic challenges at scale – something that wouldn’t have been possible just five years ago.
By September 2023, these thoughts had crystallized into what felt both necessary and audacious: what if we could create a national network connecting solution providers with solution seekers in the disability space?
This wouldn’t be just another directory. The vision was comprehensive:
Universal Coverage: All 21 disabilities under India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
Life-Stage Approach: From early detection through education, healthcare, livelihoods, and beyond
Geographic Reach: Quality support from Mumbai to Meghalaya
Technology-Enabled: Digital core making information discovery intuitive
Human-Centric: Care and service as the “soul” purpose
Transforming this vision into The Ability Network has been the extraordinary collective effort of my colleagues at Tech Mahindra Foundation. I particularly acknowledge Neha Soneji, who has been instrumental in bringing this idea to fruition, ably supported by Pauravi Srivastava.
Early on, we recognized we couldn’t – and shouldn’t – build this alone. We were fortunate to bring on four exceptional organizations as co-creators: Ujwal Impact Advisors, EkStep Foundation, EnAble India and Nayi Disha. Their deep domain expertise, steadfast commitment and innovative approaches have been instrumental in structuring TAN. Subsequently, organizations like Pacta and The Bridgespan Group have pitched in with their support.
We’ve also received crucial backing from the Dept of Empowerment of PwDs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. I particularly want to acknowledge Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary at the DEPwD, whose vision for inclusive development and belief in collaborative approaches have given TAN the institutional foundation it needs to take shape and flourish.
What has emerged is a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem designed to transform how India supports its estimated 60-80 million persons with disabilities.
TAN is profoundly human-centric while leveraging the best of technology. Whether accessed through the web portal, or the work-in-process WhatsApp chatbot, it will connect families to verified government schemes, curated solution providers, local support networks, funding opportunities, and caregiver resources.
What makes TAN different is its collaborative DNA. This isn’t just Tech Mahindra Foundation’s initiative – it’s a living ecosystem where NGOs, startups, government entities, and enterprises unite with shared purpose, ensuring that the voice of persons with disabilities and their caregivers remains central to everything we build.
As we introduce the TAN website to the public, I’m reminded that this genesis story is just the beginning. Our success won’t be measured by the technology we build or partnerships we forge, but by the lives we touch and barriers we help break down.
Every parent who finds timely support for their child’s early intervention needs, every young adult with disability who discovers new employment opportunities, every caregiver who finds a community that understands their journey – these will be the real chapters of TAN’s story.
The vision is ambitious: to create India’s most comprehensive support ecosystem for persons with disabilities. But given TMF’s nearly two-decade journey and the incredible partners who’ve joined us, I believe we’re just getting started.
The Ability Network is available at abilitynetwork.in. Join us in writing the next chapter of this story.
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Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 8-10 years of total experience with 3-4 years in Skill Development (Handling admission, Placements, and overall operation of a Skill Development Institute). Candidates having experience in healthcare institute / academy will be preferred.
Qualification: Post Graduate with exposure to skill training in healthcare sector
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 8-10 years of total experience with 3-4 years in Skill Development (Handling admission, Placements, and overall operation of a Skill Development Institute). Candidates having experience in healthcare institute / academy will be preferred.
Qualification: Post Graduate with exposure to skill training in healthcare sector
Roles and Responsibilities:
Accounts:
HR and Admin Compliances: –
Asset Management:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-3 years of experience in handling the accounts in an educational institute/college
Qualification: Graduate in commerce and Post-graduation in any stream will be preferred.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-3 years in administration/institute support
Qualification: Any Graduate
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-3 years full-time experience out of which 2 years must be in Vocational Training sector in a reputed organization in similar position. Work Experience in a reputed educational/vocational training institute dealing with Logistics and Supply Chain sector related courses will be added advantage.
Qualification: Any Graduate/Undergraduate with relevant experience
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 4 years of Clinical experience and 1-2 years of experience in lab management or 5-6 years of Clinical experience with teaching exposure.
Qualification: BSc MLT/ BSc. Microbiology
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 3 years of Clinical experience or 2-4 years of experience in Hospital Management
Qualification: B.Sc. (Nursing) or GNM
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 8-12 years in hospital as Medical Superintendent/ Nursing Superintendent or experience of managerial role in Nursing /Vocational Institute/Educational Institute is preferable. Degree in Healthcare management is preferable.
Qualification: Any medical graduate MBBS / BAMS/ BHMS/ MSc, BSc, Post basic Nursing etc.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 3-4 years of Clinical experience of working in radiology department.
Qualification: Bachelor of Science/Radiology/ Master in Radiology.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Graduate with 4-5 years of experience in the Skill Development sector and 2 years of experience as a center manager. Experience in the Healthcare sector will be an added advantage.
Qualification: Graduate or post-graduate in business administration
Roles and Responsibilities:
Accounts:
Desired Skills:
Experience: 2-3 years of experience in handling the admin and accounts in an educational institute/college.
Qualification: Candidate should be a graduate in commerce.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 2 years of Clinical experience with one year of experience working in Hospital billing department or 2-4 years of experience in Hospital Management.
Qualification: MBA/MHA Hospital and Healthcare management with 1 to 3 years of experience or any graduate with experience in hospital billing department with 3 to 4 years of experience.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-4 years of teaching experience of Computers/ITDegree in Healthcare management is preferable.
Qualification: BSc Computer science/BCA/MCA
Roles and Responsibilities:
Accounting, Statutory Compliance & Reporting
Financial Planning & Grant Management
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in financial management within the NGO/Development sector, with a strong understanding of FCRA, CSR funding, and donor compliance.
Qualification: Master’s degree in commerce, or MBA (Finance).
Roles and Responsibilities:
Accounts:
Desired Skills:
Location: Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare, Mumbai
Experience: 2-3 years of experience in handling the admin and accounts in an educational institute/college
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 2 years of Clinical experience with one year of experience working in Hospital billing department or 2-4 years of experience in Hospital Management.
Qualification: MBA/MHA Hospital and Healthcare management with 1 to 3 years of experience or any graduate with experience in hospital billing department with 3 to 4 years of experience.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-4 years of teaching experience of Computers/ITDegree in Healthcare management is preferable.
Qualification: BSc Computer science/BCA/MCA
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Minimum 2 years in writing content & graphic design
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in mass communication/ Development Communications / Journalism/ Media/ Graphic design or allied field.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skills:
Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant industry experience
Qualification: ITI / Diploma / Degree in Mechanical Engineering
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skills:
Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant industry experience
Qualification: ITI / Diploma / Degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: At least 1-2 years full-time experience as mobiliser in skilling vertical. Experience in
Skilling industry will be preferred.
Qualification: Graduate in any stream
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: At least 1-2 years of relevant experience in placements or mobilization; experience in
the skilling sector is preferred.
Qualification: Graduate in any stream
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2–3 years of teaching experience in computers or IT
Qualification: Graduate in any stream
Roles and Responsibilities:
Teaching
Content Development
Research and Development
School Visits and Direct Intervention in School
Documentation and Reporting
Other Activitie
Experience: 2-3 relevant experience capacity-building programs in Teacher Education and play-based learning.
Qualification: B.Ed/B.El.Ed or an equivalent degree, B.Sc. / M.Sc. (Mathematics/ Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology/
Environmental Science)
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 8-10 years of total experience with 3-4 years in Project Management (managing vocational training institution or educational institute or working exposure in government projects will be desirable).
Qualification: Graduate or Post- Graduate in business administration
Course Delivery:
Curriculum Development:
Objective Setting:
Classroom Preparation:
Assignment and Exam Management:
Educational Requirements:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-4 years of teaching experience in English/Spoken English, workplace readiness and soft skills.
Qualification: Post- Graduation in English Literature
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-4 years of teaching experience in English/Spoken English, workplace readiness and soft skills.
Qualification: Post- Graduation in English Literature
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: 2-3 years full-time experience out of which 2 years must be in Vocational Training sector in a reputed organization in similar position. Work Experience in a reputed educational/vocational training institute dealing with Logistics and Supply Chain sector related courses will be added advantage.
Qualification: Any Graduate/Undergraduate with relevant experience.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: Must have at least 3 to 4 years of work experience as a placement officer dealing with placements in Logistics & Supply Chain / Engineering/ Production/ Manufacturing Sectors in cities like Hyderabad, Vizag, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune etc.
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Desired Skill Sets:
Experience: At least 3 years full-time experience out of which 2 years must be in vocational training centers dealing with short term vocational courses
Qualification: Any Graduate/Undergraduate with relevant experience

