Dr. Sangita Thakur
Founder, Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions Private Limited"We want to build a world without barriers"
Dr. Sangita Thakur is the founder of Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions Pvt Ltd, a social enterprise dedicated to advancing inclusion for persons with disabilities. With 30 years of experience in media and communications, she has held leadership positions across advertising, public relations, corporate communications, and content marketing. Her career includes roles at Hindustan Times, Lexicon Public Relations, and the Government of Delhi, with her most recent position as Group Editor & Managing Editor at 9.9 Group, working with clients such as IBEF, Microsoft, and Amway.
Founder's Story
"Wonderful, wonderful am I!" - Sage Ashtavakra
Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions is not just a company; it is a philosophy rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Vedic sage Ashtavakra. Our vision is to create a world where barriers are dismantled and inclusivity reigns supreme. Inspired by Sage Ashtavakra, who despite his eight disabilities realized his inner divinity and perfection, we strive to empower every person with a disability to self-actualize and reach their full potential.
Keynote Speaking on Disability Leadership
Our Story
"Ashtavakra", my brother mirthfully named my friend. She had bowed legs and hands and appeared to be bent at various angles. It raised a lot of laughter and admonitions from my mother. But Ashtavakra stuck as a nickname for my friend.
As a child, I have often been called by my disabilities and not my name. Same with my brother. These are not isolated incidents. Ridicule is the most common experience for persons with disability (PwD). For most, their disability overshadows everything else; the person you are, the talents you may have, your dreams, aspirations, opportunities and achievements. It's your tag. Your identity.
As a person with multiple disabilities, I have felt these acutely. Growing up with a sibling, my brother, who too has SMA, I have witnessed our disabilities impacting the choices we made, whether in career or personal life. I have experienced the lack of empathy and understanding. I have felt isolated and invisible.
But what we didn't allow was our disabilities to impact our spirits, define who we are and our pursuit of excellence. Just like Sage Ashtavakra. Centuries ago, when Ashtavakra was subjected to mirth and ridicule over his eight disabilities/deformities, he stood up to an august gathering of saints to demand his right to be recognised and respected for what he had: his intellectual prowess.
Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions is not a company, it is a philosophy of life expounded by the Vedic sage Ashtavakra. It envisions a world where barriers are dismantled, and inclusivity reigns supreme. Like Sage Ashtavakra who despite eight disabilities/deformities had the realization of his inner divinity and perfection, Ashtavakra envisions a world where every person with disability self-actualizes their potential. As a startup founded by Sangita Thakur, a person with multiple disabilities, Ashtavakra represents the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming obstacles and breaking down barriers. Ashtavakra is not just a startup but a movement towards a more inclusive society.
Yet, Ashtavakra is not a magic wand. It is an endeavour to dismantle systemic barriers that exist in our society: physical and attitudinal. Despite our progress in every field, our perceptions around disability and the disabled are stuck in a time warp. Even centuries after Ashtavakra proved his mettle to become the renowned and revered sage and author of Ashtavakra Gita, a seminal field of philosophy, we are still to give persons with disability their due.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a world where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can live, work, and thrive without barriers. We envision a society where inclusivity is the norm, and every person with a disability has the opportunity to self-actualize their potential. By fostering understanding, empathy, and accessibility, we strive to transform environments, physical, attitudinal and digital, into spaces that are welcoming and empowering for all. Our commitment is to be a beacon of hope and change, leading the way towards a future where true inclusivity is realized, and all individual's unique contributions are celebrated.
Our Mission
Dismantle barriers and champion inclusivity for people of all abilities and drive 360-degree inclusion of the disabled. We are dedicated to enhancing accessibility through comprehensive audits, certifications, awareness and sensitization, capacity building of stakeholders and strategic insights. By educating businesses and communities, advocating for inclusive policies, and providing expert accessibility audit, communications and marketing services, we strive to foster a culture of understanding and empathy. We are committed to creating environments where everyone can thrive, driving the movement towards a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible world.
Impact We Intend to Create
Our impact model adopts a holistic approach to disability inclusion and participation by achieving the following:
How Ashtavakra Works
Your Step-by-Step Journey to Enhanced Accessibility
Step 1: Initial Contact
Reach out to Ashtavakra through our website, email, or phone to begin your journey toward enhanced accessibility and inclusion. Our team is ready to assist you with any questions and to help you understand how our services can be tailored to your specific needs.
Step 2: Consultation
Engage in a detailed consultation with our experts. During this step, we assess your current accessibility status, discuss your organization's goals, and explore how Ashtavakra can support your journey towards inclusivity.
Step 3: Select Service Package
Based on the insights gathered during the consultation, select the service package that best fits your needs. Whether you require an accessibility audit, post-audit solutioning, or training programs, we will help you choose the most effective package.
Step 4: Proposal Development & Contract Signing
After you select the service package, we develop a tailored proposal that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and costs. Once you review and approve the proposal, we proceed with signing the contract to formalize our partnership.
Step 5: Implementation & Support
Our team begins implementing the agreed-upon services. We provide ongoing support throughout the process, ensuring that all recommendations and solutions are effectively integrated into your organization. We view this as a partnership, offering continuous guidance as you work towards full accessibility and inclusion.
Steps to Accessibility Audit
Our Comprehensive Audit Process
Step 1: Data Collection
We start the audit process by sharing an Excel file with you to collect detailed data on your assets. This information is crucial for conducting a thorough audit.
Step 2: Submission of Floor Plans
Provide us with the floor plans of your property. These plans help us understand the layout and identify any potential accessibility challenges or opportunities.
Step 3: Commercial Calculation
The cost of the audit is calculated based on the total area to be audited. This ensures transparency and allows us to provide a clear financial commitment.
Step 4: Comprehensive Audit
We conduct a comprehensive audit of the designated area based on 1,000 parameters aligned with universal design principles. The time required depends on the size and location of the building. For large premises (over 50,000 sqm), the audit typically takes seven working days.
Step 5: Submission of Audit Report
Within three days post-audit completion, we provide you with a comprehensive audit report that highlights any gaps in accessibility and includes solutioning recommendations.
Step 6: Certification
Along with the audit report, we provide certification based on the number of disabled groups your property serves. This certification is delivered within three days of audit completion.
Step 7: Support for Improvement of Accessibility
After the initial audit, we offer comprehensive post-audit solutioning to help you implement the recommended changes. This includes reassessment and recertification once improvements are made, ensuring that your property continuously meets and exceeds accessibility standards.
Advisors
Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you achieve your accessibility goals
Anil Kumar Sinha, IAS (rtd.)
Hony. Chief Editor, Know Disasters
Anil Kumar Sinha, IAS (rtd.) is the Hony. Chief Editor of Know Disasters and a Member of the Governing Board...
K V S Rao
Disability Rights Advocacy & Wellness Trainer
K V S Rao served as a Civil Servant for over 34 years in various capacities in the Central Government...
Smt Stuti Narain Kacker
Expert in Child Rights & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Smt.Stuti Narain Kacker is particularly...
Purvi Patel
Award-Winning Architect & Accessibility Expert
Purvi Patel is an award-winning architect who has led large-scale public space projects, including the...