Alliance for Inclusion and Accessibility

Mr. Swapnil Wankhade (IAS), Municipal Commissioner -Jabalpur, delivered a heartfelt and thought-provoking address at the Universal Design and Inclusion training workshop in Indian Cities.

He emphasized the urgent need for accessible public infrastructure, drawing from real-life experiences to highlight how even small design gaps can create significant barriers for persons with disabilities, women, and the elderly.

Key takeaways from his address:
- Accessibility is not just a feature, it’s a necessity
- Inclusive design should be the foundation of urban planning
- Public toilets and buildings must be gender-sensitive and universally accessible
- Empathy and awareness must guide infrastructure development

He commended the ‘Alliance for Inclusion and Accessibility’ for initiating this movement and reiterated the importance of empowering marginalized communities by creating environments that support their abilities and dignity.






Juuhi Rajput | UN-HABITAT | Smart City Jabalpur | NICMAR University | Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu | PMO India | UNICEF India | UNICEF | United Nations Development Programme - UNDP | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJE

Ms. Juuhi Rajput, Founder of the ‘Alliance for Inclusion and Accessibility’, delivered the introductory address at the training workshop on Universal Design and Inclusion in Indian Cities.

She shared the initiative’s bold vision to create an inclusive platform that brings together Policy-makers, State & City Administrators, Think Tanks & Researchers, Corporations & PSUs, Academic Institutions, Innovators & NGOs, Financial Organizations, & Subject Experts to collaborate, commit, and act towards building inclusive and accessible urban environments.

She also introduced the three-pronged approach of the Alliance for Inclusion and Accessibility:
- Raising Ambition by creating awareness and encouraging leaders to make a commitment.
- Catalyzing Change by motivating partners to turn commitment into action.
- Empowering Action by providing a platform to different stakeholders for scaling action and solutions.

Lastly, she urged all the dignitaries and participants to incorporate universal design guidelines in all the upcoming infrastructural projects in the city.





Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu | Smart City Jabalpur | UNDP in India | NICMAR University | UN-HABITAT | PMO India | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India | National Institute of Urban Affairs | UNICEF India | UN SDG Action Campaign