Profile

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Access Consultant, AccessAbility, New Delhi, India (Nov 2006 – present)

• Access Consultant, Svayam (CSR programme of Jindal SAW Ltd), New Delhi, India (Nov – Dec 2006)

• Advisor, REMAP (south-east division), a UK based charity which makes customised engineering solutions for people with disabilities (July 2006 – present)

• Member, ‘Disability Equality Scheme’ Implementation Working Group at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, UK (July – December 2006)

• Co-auditing for the editing of a book titled “Access in London” written by Mr. Gordon Couch, published by Quiller Press, London, UK (July and August 2002)

• Guest Lecturer on “Accessibility” and “Assistive Technology” for M.Sc. Occupational Therapy (Neurology & Orthopedics), College of Occupational Therapy, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, India (February 2002 to September 2002)

• Master Trainer, “Access for all – A New Initiative” (a series of six workshops) organised by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (July 2001 to March 2002)

• Lecturer on “Home Modifications” and “ADL Adaptations” for Rehabilitation Council of India’s “Carer Training Program” at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India (April 2001 to July 2002)

• Member, National Core Access Committee, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (May 2001 to September 2002)

• Technical Advisor and Board Member of ‘ACCESS’, a NGO/ Voluntary organisation promoting architectural access and independent living for people with disabilities (October 2000 - present)

• Clinical Occupational Therapist, India & UK (August 1998 - present)

EDUCATION

• University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK

        - M.Sc. Inclusive Environments: Design and Management, 2004-2006 (Distinction)

• Association Italiana per la Solidarieta tra I Popoli, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy

        - Refresher Course in Advanced Rehabilitation Management, November 2001

• United Nations (ESCAP), Bangkok, Thailand

       - Training of Trainers on Promotion of Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons

         with Disabilities, March 2000

• National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Calcutta, India

        - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, 1994-1998

PRESENTATIONS

• “Inclusive Environments”, presented at in-service training programme for occupational therapists, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK (August 31, 2006)

• “Barrier Free Environment”, co-presented at conference on “Inclusive Education”, Gwalior, India (April 2006)

• “Role of Therapists in Accident and Emergency”, presented at the A&E doctors induction programme at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK (Since September 2004)

• “Referrals on Medical Wards – A Statistical Analysis”, presented at the Emergency Services Collaborative Forum (East Berkshire), Slough, UK (April 26, 2004)

• “Antropometrics and Principles of Inclusive Design for Occupational Therapists”, presented at in-service training programme, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK (August 26, 2004 and May 01, 2003)

• “Accessible Toilet Design” and “Hospital Accessibility”, presented at a series of six workshops titled “Access for all – a new initiative” organized by the Government of India in Guwahati, Hyderabad and New Delhi, India (July 2001- March 2002)

• “Design for all”, presented at conference on “Occupational Therapy and Architectural Barriers”, Amar Jyoti Rehabilitation and Research Centre, New Delhi, India (March 2002)

• Paper (co-authored) on “Economic Access Solutions for the Developing Countries- Experience from India”, presented by organisers (in the absence of the authors, due to lack of sponsorship to support authors’ travel to Montréal) at the “International Congress on Inclusion by Design” in Montréal, Canada (June 1- 5, 2001)

• “Conceptualizing Accessibility and Universal Design”, presented at TVB School of Habitat Studies and Architecture, New Delhi, India (March 2001)

PUBLICATIONS

• “Planning a Barrier Free Environment” (co-authored), Office of Chief Commissioner for Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India (June 2001)

• “Low Cost Access Solutions for Developing Countries” (co-authored), paper published in VOICE- an Indian magazine on disability issues (February 2001)