India's premier design institute, the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad has reported a rise in the number of applications under Persons with Disability (PWD) category. This year, NID received a total of 114 applications as against 78 last year. While the institute has roped in BM Institute of Mental Health to scrutinize the applications, they are also in talks to identify discipline-wise disability, to encourage such students.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is clearly committed to the idea of making elections accessible for people with disabilities across India. Apart from voter ID cards in Braille, mobile app to educate and motivate disabled voters, and sign language windows in polling booths, it is looking at several other measures to ensure disabled people are not left out of the voting process.

Some other steps being looked at by the ECI:

Football fans all over the world are currently enjoying the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018. Exciting matches are being played every day and fans are cheering for their favorite teams.

31-year-old Carlos Santana is also one such football fan and his favorite team is from Brazil, is own country.

However, Santana is not able to enjoy the matches like other fans as he is deaf and blind. But this year he was able to experience the FIFA World Cup with the help of an interpreter.

As Lata Sadashiv gently strokes the base of your neck, the phrase ‘healing touch’ starts to make perfect sense.

A blind massage therapist at Sparsh Foot Spa in Mumbai, her fingers seem to know exactly which spot to hit.

It is a skill that speaks volumes not only about Lata’s years of experience, but also the strong desire to help and heal people.

Sparsh is an initiative of NGO Trinayani. Since it was founded in 2006, the NGO has been working towards creating awareness about disabilities and equal opportunities for disabled people.