Dr. Anjlee Agarwal

Universal Accessibility & Sustainable Mobility Specialist

Bio

Dr. Anjlee Agarwal is Universal Accessibility & Sustainable Mobility Specialist. She co-founded Samarthyam, National Centre for Accessible Environments (www.samarthyam.com) in 1993.
2003, National Awardee and more than +25 other exemplary awards, she is role model for strategic intervention on making India accessible.
She is Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), CSO-Standing Committee, Government of India. She is co-ordinator working group- Disability & Accessibility and women empowerment with focus on girls and women with disabilities. She is brand ambassador of Sustainable Development Goals covering 16 states and 372 Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in India.
Promoting sustainable and livable societies is her mission and she is passionate about socio-cultural inclusion with people-friendly spaces where accessibility and mobility is without barriers. She works on capacity building of the community to bring about inclusion across differences and diversities. She is regularly nominated by the Indian and UN agencies as a subject expert to advice on gender friendly & inclusive designs, programs and policies.
For her action oriented approach and work with UN agencies, INGOs and Government of India, she has been awarded the Role Model: National Award presented by President of India in 2003. She has row of other awards to her credit, including ‘Best Innovative Policy Award, Zero Project, United Nations, Vienna, Austria, 2016.

Experience

Team Lead | Universal Accessibility Auditor

26 states, Accessible India Campaign

Team Lead | Socio-cultural Inclusion for All

2006 to Till Date | New Delhi

Dilli Haat, Museums for All, Garden of Five Senses and Sahitya Kala Academy, NGMA, National Museum and National Archives, etc.

Co-founder and Executive Director | Samarthyam

1992 to Till Date | New Delhi

Education

PhD, University of Utrecht

2017-2020 | Netherlands

MPhil, University of Utrecht

2013-2016 | Netherlands

Masters, University of Delhi

1990-1993 | New Delhi, India

Bachelor of Social Science & Economics, University of Delhi

1986-1989 | New Delhi, India

Accomplishments : Enabling Environment

• Team Lead, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities”, UNESCAP, 2019-2023.

• Team Lead, “Making schools and anganwadis accessible”, UNICEF India, 2019-2023. Authored Global Monitoring Report on Education “Schools Accessibility for Children with Disabilities”, 2019 for UNESCO.

• Team Lead, “Leave No One Behind”, Project on empowering people with disabilities and organisations on Sustainable Development Goals, 2016- ongoing.

• Authored first Guidebook on Making Schools Accessible for Children with Disabilities, UNICEF India, 2018 and Accessibility and Inclusive Education, GAATES for UNICEF HQ, New York, 2014.

• Team Lead and Advisor on Strategic planning and launch of Flagship “Accessible India Campaign” by Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India, 2014- ongoing.

• Champion of “Right to Education (R2E) project” on inclusive education for children with disabilities in schools, 2012- ongoing.

Graduated from UNESCAP

Graduated from UNESCAP:
Accessible Tourism

2000 | Bali, Indonesia

Graduated from UNESCAP:
Non-Handicapping Environment, Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility

2002 and 2004 | Bangkok, Thailand

Awards

Connect Karo Awards
WRI Ross for Sustainable Cities, 2018

Best Innovative Policy Award
Zero Project, United Nations, Vienna, Austria, 2016

Exemplary Women Award
Delhi State, Achievers, India, 2015

India Sustainable Leadership Award
Most Influential Sustainability Leaders, 2015

Super Idols Awards
Achiever with special abilities who have soared beyond physical challenges and conventional barriers to realize their chosen dreams, 2012

Noble Laureates- Karamveer Purskaar
National Awards for Social Justice and Citizen Action, 2009

Social Act of Courage
13th Red & White Bravery Gold Award, Delhi State, 2005

Cavinkare Ability Mastery Award
2005

National Award: Role Model
presented by President of India, 2003

Current Activity

• Working group on framing of guidelines for UGC, Government of India, 2024

• NITI Aayog CSO Standing Committee, 2016- till date

• Co-ordinator, Working Group on Disability & Accessibility with focus on girls and women with disabilities

• Committee on Functional Requirements in Buildings of Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India, 2010- till date

• Indian Roads Congress, developing Codes and Guidelines on Pedestrian Facilities, Urban Roads and Bus Rapid Transit, since 2009- till date

• Task force for Safe Travel of Women & Girls by Public Transport, Government of India, 2019- till date

• Transport Research Board (TRB), UK, 2007- till date

• Clean Air Initiative, Manila, 2015- till date

• Steering Committee, Accessible India Campaign, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2014- till date

• Associate Member- Asia Pacific Development Centre on Disability (APCD), Bangkok (Thailand),2006- 2019

International Representation Experience:

• Working Group on Asia Pacific Decade Review by UNESCAP, Thailand, 2023

• Workshop Organizer “Universal Accessibility”, 4th World Conference on Shelters of Survivors of Violence, Taiwan, 2020

• Co-Chair, Women with Disabilities, United Nations, Conference of State Parties, New York, 2018

• Co-speaker, Accountability, Advancing rights of women with disabilities, AWID Forum, Brazil, 2016

• Lead Speaker, United Nations, Zero Project Conference on Schools for All, Vienna, Austria, 2016

• Workshop Organizer “Universal Accessibility”, 3rd World Conference on Shelters of Survivors of Violence, The Hague, Netherlands, 2015

• South Asian Feminist Regional Forum, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2015

• Country Representative GAATES and Women with Disabilities India Network, Consultation of State Parties 8th Session (COSP8), the United Nations, New York, US, 2015

• Key Note Speaker, Business for All, Association of Women with Disabilities, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2015

• Observer, 2nd Working Group, Make the Right Real, Incheon Strategy, UNESCAP, India , 2015

• Representative Women with Disabilities, India - 58th Session of CEDAW, UN Head Quarters, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014

• Leader, India Delegation on Right to Sanitation Campaign in South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2013

• Chair & Speaker, 13th International Conference on Transport & Mobility for Elderly & the Disabled, New Delhi, India, 2012

• Organizer, Access for All Workshop, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2012

• Chair & Speaker, 12th International Conference on Transport & Mobility for Elderly & the Disabled, Hong Kong, 2010

• Master Resource person and Access Consultant for framing of Universal Design Guidelines for Refugee Camps and villages, Bangladesh, 2009

• Resource Person & Organizer, “Access for All” workshop, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2008

• Chair & Speaker, 11th International Conference on Transport & Mobility for Elderly & the Disabled, June, Montreal, Canada, 2007

• Resource person, International Workshop on Implementing Accessibility Regulations, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007

• Panellist, 2nd International Conference for Universal Design, Kyoto, Japan, 2006

• Guest Lecturer, Municipal Lifelong Learning Centre, Osaka, Japan, 2006

• Speaker, 10th International Conference on Transport & Mobility for Elderly & the Disabled, Hamamatsu, Japan, 2004

• Speaker, high Level Forum for Government Officials, UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004

• Resource Person, Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities, UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, 2002

• Resource Person, Accessible Tourism for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, UNESCAP, Bali, Indonesia, 2000

Publications:

• Authored, Make the Right Real, Flipbook, 2024, Sightsavers

• Co-author, Design Guidelines for Safer Commute to Schools, Indian Roads Congress, 2022

• Authored, Guidelines Home Based Education For Children With Disabilities: Parents, Teachers, Special Educators; UNICEF , 2021(published on Diksha Portal, GoI)

• Authored, Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions, Ministry of Education, Government of India, 2021

• Authored, Accessibility Guidelines for Sports Complex and Residential Facilities for Sports Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of India, 2021

• Authored, Access for All Guidelines, Concise Version of National Building Code 2016 with American Indian Foundation, 2019

• Authored, Guide Book on Making Schools Accessible for Children with Disabilities, UNICEF India, 2018

• Co-authored, IRC: SP:117-2018, Manual on Universal Accessibility for Urban Roads & Streets, Indian Roads Congress, 2018

• Co-authored, Urban Roads Manual, Indian Roads Congress, 2018

• Co-authored, Part 3, National Building Code 2016, Bureau of India Standards, 2016

• Authored, Guidelines on Health Services and Facilities for Women with Disabilities, USAID, 2016

• Co-authored, Harmonized Guidelines And Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, 2016

• Authored, “Training Manual to promote Universal Design- Training of Trainers on Access Audits”, Third Edition, Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), 2015

• Authored, Handbook Air Travel: Sensitization and Training, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2015

• Co-authored, Practitioner’s Manual on Inclusive WASH: Schools and Public Spaces, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2015

• Co-authored, School Audit Toolkit, UNICEF India, 2014

• Co-authored, Universal Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian, Non-motorised Vehicles and Public Transportation, 2014

• Authored, Guidelines on Barrier free Environment for Children with Disabilities in Schools, DFID and VSO, UK, 2014

• Authored, Guidelines on Universal Design in Hospitals & Residential Facilities, 2014

• Authored, Universal Design Toolkit on Public Transit Systems: Facilities & Services, 2013

• Co-authored Universal Signage & Way Finding Design Guidelines, 2012

• Co-authored IRC: 103 Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities for Indian Roads Congress, 2012

• Co-authored UTTIPEC Street Design Guidelines for Government of NCT Delhi, India, 2012

• Authored, Access Advocacy Toolkit for VSO India, DFID and CBM, 2012

• Co-authored, “Training Manual to promote Universal Design- Training of Trainers on Access Audits”, Second Edition, published by Rehabilitation Council of India, Government of India, 2009

• Authored, “Handbook on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction” for Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Government of Delhi, which was used by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as guidelines for inclusion of persons with disabilities in disasters, 2009

• Authored, first edition of “Training Manual to promote Barrier Free Environment- Guidelines for Training of Trainers”, published by Rehabilitation Council of India, Government of India, 2004

• Co-authored, Technical Brochures on “Right of Way” & “Traffic Police & Hum Tum” for Professionals, Administrators and Planners published by National Trust, MSJE, Government of India and Samarthyam (1998-2019)

• Authored, Access ABCD- Booklet on Barrier Free Environment in Internal Design Considerations for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities published by for National Trust, Government of India, 2007

• Authored chapters in “Work Book for In-service Teachers”, on Barrier Free Environment in Inclusive School published by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2007

• Authored chapter in “Handbook of Inclusive Education for Educators, Administrators and Planners”, published by SAGE Publications; New Delhi/Thousand Oaks/London, 2005

• Technical Brochures on “Access for All” and “Internal & External Design Considerations”, for Professionals, Administrators and Planners, published by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and Samarthyam, 2014-15

Lead Researcher:

• Schools for All, UNICEF India 2018-2023

• Building Partnerships and empowering the Orgnaisations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) women with disabilities leaders on SDGs in India, Sightsavers and European Union, 2018-2021

• Schools for All, UNICEF and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of India, 2017-18

• Urban Roads Manual, Indian Roads Congress, 2016

• A Rapid Desk Based Study on Disability Considerations for Infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, DFID, 2016 [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08954ed915d3cfd0001c4/EoD_HDYr3_21_40_March_2016_Disability_Infrastructure.pdf]

• Accessibility & Safety Audit Report, Bandra Station, Mumbai; UNESCO, 2015 Universal Accessibility in Walkability, Non Motorised Vehicles and Public Transport Infrastructure, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, 2014

• WASH Facilities for Persons with Disabilities in Jharkhand, India, 2013

• Anthropometrics of persons with disabilities: Users of Mobility & Other Aids. New Delhi, DFID, VSO and Government of India, 2012-13

• Accessibility Research and Comparative Analysis of Building Standards & Regulations, DFID, VSO and Government of India, 2011

• Building Bye-Laws in various states of India, Government of India, 2010

• “Research study on Pedestrian Facilities”, Indian Road Congress, 2009-12

• Action Oriented Research Project On Community Accessibility & Inclusion Audit, World Vision, 2010

• “Research on Right of Way in Road & Street Infrastructure for Persons with Severe
  Disabilities”, National Trust, Government of India, 2008

• “Road Safety Aspects and Street Infrastructure for Persons with disabilities and Elderly” with implementation strategies for 1 km area in Central Delhi, Government of NCT Delhi, 2006-07

• “Research & Design for making of Braille Registration plates and Audio Meters in Auto Rickshaws”, Government of NCT Delhi, 2006-07

• “Implementation of user-friendly Public Transport Systems (Bus & bus Shelters) in Delhi”, Action Aid, 2006

• “Promotion of user-friendly Public Transport Systems (Bus & bus shelters) in India”, Action Aid, 2005

• “Accessibility of Indian Railways”, NCPEDP and Government of NCT Delhi, 2005

Master Trainer, Training Of Trainers (Tot) Course for Promotion of Universal Accessible Environment
& Creation of Resource Pool of Access Auditors:

• Central Public Works Department , engineers and architects on universal accessibility, 2024
  Airport Authority of India, Airport Managers on universal accessibility, 2024

• Organizations People with Disabilities (OPDs) in 5 states of India – training on Gender Inclusion, and Advocacy Tools and Planning Strategies, SightSavers India, 2019-2024

• OPDs and government Officers of Madhya Pradesh, 2021-2023

• Engineers, architects, and planners- Raipur Development Authority, Naya Raipur Development Authority, Public Works Department, Delhi, Odisha, Kerala and Chhattisgarh, 2018

• UNICEF India, Training of Architects, Engineers and Planners for Inclusive and Accessible Schools in India, 2016-18

• Accessible India Campaign, CPWD Training Academy, Ghaziabad, 2016, 2017 and 2023

• Accessible India, Sight Savers, 2016

• Universal Design Training Workshops in 10 states of India for civil engineers and architects, 2016-ongoing

• Formation & strengthening of Access Co-ordination Cells in 9 states of India and in Sri Lanka, 2011-13

• State Commissioners for persons with disabilities, Odisha and Jharkhand, 2011-13

• Accessible Gujarat, Unnati NGO, 2010

• Creation of Access Co-ordination Cell in 16 states of India, Voluntary Services Overseas, UK, 2011-13

• National Trust and BITS Mesra, Government of India, 2009

• Department of Social Welfare and O/o Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities NCT Government of Delhi, 2009

• Creation of Access Co-ordination Cell in 5 states of India, CBM, 2009

• Accessible India and strengthening DPOs Action Aid International, 2008

• Accessible Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, 2008

• 2005-07 Post-Tsunami reconstruction work in Port Blair & Rangat, Andaman Island, 2005-07

• 3 states- engineers and architects trained under O/o the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, 2005-07

• Post-Earthquake reconstruction work in Ahmadabad, Baroda and Bhuj, Gujarat, 2004-07

• Department of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, 2006, 2009 and 2012

• Rehabilitation Council of India Statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2003-2004

• O/o the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities: Hyderabad, Guwahati, Delhi, Government of India, 2002-2004

• National Seminar on Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, Kolkata, 2004

National Resource Person/Organizer of Disability Awareness & Sensitization Training Workshops:

• Airport Authority of India, 2017- ongoing

• Making schools and anganwadis accessible, UNICEF, 2019-2022

• Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Police, Delhi Cantonment Board Engineers and Architects, 2018

• School of Planning & Architecture, IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, 2017

• Government of Delhi, Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, 2014-18

• Government of Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, among others, 2011-13

• Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, 2011

• Central Public Works Department, Architects and Engineers, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India Centre for Science & Environment- Government officers, Urban Planners and Engineers, 2010

• CPWD, Architects and Engineers, Ghaziabad IGNOU, Delhi Non-teaching Staff and Security Guards Voluntary Services Overseas, New Delhi, 2009

• Christopher Blind Mission (CBM), Bangalore, 2009

• Deepshikha NGO, BIT Mesra & Service providers, Ranchi, 2009

• School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi, 2008

• New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC): Architects and Engineers, Delhi, 2008

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi: Transport Planners, Professors and Researchers
  Engineering Department, University of Delhi, 2008

• CPWD, Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee, Government of India, 2009-2010

• Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Delhi, Scientists, Researchers, Academicians, Transport, Town & Urban Planners, 2006-07

• School of Planning and Architecture (SPA)- Delhi, 2 workshops for faculty and Students of Transport Planning, Architecture and Industrial Design, 2005-06

• National Institute for Design (NID), School of Interior Designers (CEPT), College of Architecture; Baroda & Ahmadabad; Gujarat, 2004-07

• Roshni NGO, Gwalior, 2003

• Five workshops for Auto rickshaw/three wheeler drivers (Badge Training) - with State Transport Authority, Burari, Delhi and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers, 2003