Yi Odisha Ability Summit 2026: A Landmark Convergence for Inclusion, Accessibility & Empowerment

By Tapaswini Sahoo

Bhubaneswar/ Odisha,FEB 21 :  NISWASS Campus (21/02/2026) — Yi Odisha Ability Summit 2026: Advancing Inclusion, Accessibility and Empowerment

The Yi Odisha Ability Summit 2026 is set to emerge as a landmark platform driving inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across Odisha. Designed as a one-day, multi-stakeholder engagement, the Summit will bring together policymakers, administrators, corporates, CSR leaders, disability rights experts, innovators, institutions, and community leaders to co-create a shared roadmap for inclusive development, sustainable livelihoods, and universal access.

The Summit commenced with a moving musical performance by a group of visually impaired artists, symbolizing dignity, ability, and inclusion, followed by a formal registration and networking session that encouraged meaningful collaboration among stakeholders.

The inaugural session featured context-setting addresses by Young Indians (Yi) representatives and prominent disability rights voices, including Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Former Chief Justice of Jharkhand and former Acting Chief Justice of Odisha, currently serving as a Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He highlighted the human rights of persons with disabilities, effective implementation of the RPwD Act, district-level inclusion models, constitutional safeguards, and the critical role institutions play in ensuring dignity, equality, and justice.

The Summit agenda features high-impact thematic discussions on Universal Access; Skilling and Institutions; Industry, Innovation and Inclusive Livelihoods; CSR and Capacity Building; Career Opportunities; and Sports, Aspirations, and Social Capital. The sessions bring together leaders and experts from leading organizations including TPCODL, the Skill Council for Persons with Disability, Tata Steel, Jindal Steel & Power, Vindhya E-Infomedia, AKM Robotics Founder Ashish Mahana, Tech Mahindra Foundation, OPGC, Utkal Alumina, Sunshine Hospital, and Union Bank, CEO & MD Tushi Motors among others. In total, 27 corporates—representing diverse sectors and scales—were recognised for their contributions while sharing insights and best practices to advance inclusive growth.

Jaago Motion and Signexpress were recognised as trailblazers for making inclusivity an easy and accessible choice across sectors. Adding a powerful human dimension to the Summit, interactive engagements and reflection sessions strengthened collaboration, deepened community participation, and reinforced a shared commitment to inclusion. Inspiring personal journeys were shared by a visually impaired coder from Cognizant, Kunalata, who spoke about promoting NeoMotion and advancing assistive innovation, alongside a para-athlete and a model who candidly reflected on resilience, aspiration, and breaking societal barriers through lived experience.

The Yi Odisha Ability Summit 2026 is an initiative of WE4YOU Charitable Trust, in collaboration with Young Indians (Yi) as Strategic Partner, the SSEPD Department, Government of Odisha, the Confederation of Indian Industry, Jindal Foundation, and leading industry, CSR, and institutional partners, with NISWASS serving as the Academic Partner.

More than a dialogue, the Summit seeks to build systems, partnerships, and opportunities that transform the vision of “ability beyond disability” into a lived reality across Odisha.