DEPwD Launches ‘Breaking Barriers Fellowship’ to Boost Disability Inclusion

The MoU establishes an initial one-year term for the fellowship, with the option of extension upon mutual agreement.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nipman Foundation and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) to roll out the Breaking Barriers Fellowship—an innovative programme aimed at strengthening policy support and enhancing the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

The agreement was signed by Shri Ashish Thakare, Director, DEPwD, Shri Nipun Malhotra, Founder, Nipman Foundation, and Shri Rohit Kumar, Co-Founder, YLAC, in the presence of Shri Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, and Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, DEPwD.

A Fellowship to Drive Inclusive Governance

The Breaking Barriers Fellowship will place young professionals in various DEPwD offices across India, providing them with an opportunity to contribute to policy development while simultaneously gaining practical governance experience.

The programme has three primary objectives:

1. Enhancing institutional capacity within DEPwD by supplementing teams with skilled professionals.

2. Providing mentorship and exposure to fellows, enabling them to understand the policymaking process from within government structures.

3. Bringing fresh perspectives to policymaking, thereby enriching the disability inclusion agenda with innovative ideas and youth-driven insights.

Duration and Structure

The MoU establishes an initial one-year term for the fellowship, with the option of extension upon mutual agreement. To ensure accountability and efficiency, the framework emphasises:

• Merit-based selection of fellows through a transparent recruitment process.

• Quarterly reporting mechanisms to track fellowship progress and impact.

• Confidentiality commitments under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, safeguarding sensitive government information.

Strengthening Implementation of the RPwD Act

The fellowship aligns with the broader mandate of the RPwD Act, 2016, which seeks to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities by ensuring equal opportunities, full participation, and barrier-free access.

By embedding young professionals within the department, DEPwD seeks to accelerate the implementation of policies and schemes, strengthen monitoring, and bridge the gap between community needs and government action.

Collaboration for Disability Empowerment

Speaking at the signing, stakeholders from the Nipman Foundation and YLAC highlighted their commitment to supporting disability rights and nurturing young leaders. The partnership reflects a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together government, non-profits, and civil society organisations to advance inclusion.

The initiative builds on the vision of creating a capable, ethical, and inclusive governance ecosystem, where persons with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but active participants in nation-building.

Looking Ahead

The Breaking Barriers Fellowship is expected to set a precedent for youth engagement in social sector governance. By combining government exposure with civic action and mentorship, the fellowship offers a two-way benefit: strengthening DEPwD's capacity while equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills to champion disability inclusion.

Through this initiative, DEPwD and its partners have reaffirmed their shared mission of advancing disability empowerment, inclusive policy frameworks, and a barrier-free India.