ABOUT US

Innovation by Youth with Disabilities (I-YwD) is a novel Government of Kerala project conceived by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and implemented by the National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH). Launched in March 2019, I-YwD aims to identify persons with disabilities who are passionate and self-motivated to innovate and offer them an inclusive platform to be able to make a difference. For the participant innovator to achieve their goal, I-YwD provides resources in the forms of training, experiential learning and mentoring for a period of 3 years or till their ideas have materialised and stabilized, whichever happens earlier. The goal is to innovatively solve an existing problem and to have a positive impact on society. Their solutions could take the shape of a product, a service or applied research and it could be either for profit or non-profit. I-YwD thus is a one of a kind programme customised for persons with disabilities to bring out the innovators and entrepreneurs within them.

The first cycle of I-YwD kicked off in March 2019 with a week-long camp in Kanthari, Trivandrum where 19 participants from across Kerala came together under the supervision of expert facilitators in an inclusive environment where they explored their own inner potential and their co-participants through the lens of the innovation process. This was followed by another week-long camp in September 2019 in the inclusive environment of  Maria Rani Centre, Trivandrum where expert facilitators took the participants through an experiential journey to understand the innovation process. A third camp was held in NISH in December 2019, where for 3 days the participants entered the entrepreneurship phase of the programme under the facilitation of experts. The participants were regularly in touch with internal and external mentors during and between the camps so that they could seamlessly move forward with their projects.  The participants of the first cycle are currently at various stages of prototyping and will soon launch their products and ventures into the markets across the globe.  

As we get ready to launch cycle 2, we are entering a revolutionary phase in creating a universal design in terms of learning and knowledge dissemination.

CURRICULUM

I-YwD - A BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM

Innovation is a skill, a perspective, a practice. I-YwD's Blended Learning Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a rigorous ecosystem that fosters creativity, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. In the post-Covid scenario, I-YwD offers a blended Course that allows participants to learn from the safety of their homes while having the experiences of team and mentor support through periodic face to face interactions. The program is uniquely designed to understand, develop and showcase the innovation potential and resourcefulness of Youth with Disabilities, staying true to the vision to build a world where diversity, creativity and passion for positive social change are celebrated.

The Curriculum

Designed as a passage through 5 modules, the curriculum of the Blended Learning Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the first of it's kind to introduce Innovation and Entrepreneurship in content, methods and modes that are Universally Accessible.

Cutting Edge

The 2021-2022 cycle of I-YwD offers a Blended Learning Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship that introduces participants to a range of skills including research, problem solving, innovation leadership, public speaking and enterprise development . Designed in collaboration with leading institutions and experts in Innovation, Management and Disability fields, the curriculum gives a crisp and deep engagement with innovation and entrepreneurship in an inclusive format.

Universal Design

Taking into consideration the unique needs of youth with different disabilities, the curriculum has been designed to be delivered in a way that is equitably accessible to everyone. To ensure accessibility, sign language support, subtitles and audio descriptors in videos, customized learning paths and support systems are built into the program.

Dynamic Modes

The program includes online learning modes and platforms with direct interactions with a support team. Video lectures, online and offline tasks, mentor guided interactions, camps and field trips are packed into a dynamic mix in the program.

Mentor Facilitated

Regular individualized interactions with experts in the field of innovation and management provides real time support and guidance to the participants.

Practice Oriented

The program focuses on experiential learning. Each milestone in the Learning Program is based on achieving substantial hands-on goals along with theoretical insights.

APPLY

I-YwD IS SEEKING APPLICANTS

HOW TO APPLY

Are you interested in being an Innovator?
If you

• • • hold a disability certificate
    • are between the age of 16 and 40
    • are a Keralite

and want to be a part of the I-YwD program, send an SMS to +91 6238848716

 

CONTACT US

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Contact Us: +91 6238848716