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EMPOWER 2024
17, 18 & 19 October 2024

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17, 18 & 19 October 2024

40

Days

18

Hours

46

Minutes

32

Seconds

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EMPOWER 2024

EMPOWER conference is an annual technical event designed to unite stakeholders in the assistive technology industry. This includes researchers, user organizations, businesses, and policymakers. The EMPOWER Programme Committee features members from leading NGOs, technology incubators, and academic institutions within the assistive technology field. The conference focuses on the challenges associated with developing, manufacturing, and distributing assistive technology solutions.

EMPOWER features a variety of formats to foster discussions and innovation, including keynote lectures, invited papers, posters, user forums, panel discussions, and a product expo. These sessions aim to debate current solutions and inspire future research. For more information about past EMPOWER conferences, visit EMPOWER 2023

Who’s speaking

These are our communicators, you can see each person's information

Prof. Anita Ghai
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Charudatta Jadhav
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Ravi Poovaiah
Keynote Speaker
DR. Saji Gopinath
Keynote Speaker
DR. Arun Panayappan
Keynote Speaker
DR.Sunil TT
Invited Speaker
DR.KG Satheesh Kumar
Panelist
Mr Arman Ali
Invited Speaker
Mr Vineet Saraiwala
Invited Speaker
Ms. Leena Singh
Invited Speaker
Ms. Vaishali Pai
Invited Speaker
Mr Sayomedeb Mukherjee
Invited Speaker
Dr. Ravinder Singh
Panelist
Mr Mohan Sundaram
Panelist
Mr Dipendra Manocha
Panelist
Dr. N.S.Senthil Kumar
Panelist
Dr. Sapna Poti
Panelist
Dr B Mohammed Asheel
Panelist
Ms Kalpana Rao Botta
Invited Speaker
Ms Aditi Sowmyanarayan
Invited Speaker
Mr. Pulkit Sapra:
Invited Speaker
Prof M.Balakrishnan
Invited Speaker
Ms Sabriye tenberken
Invited Speaker
Prof Gaurav Raheja
Invited Speaker
Ms Vidhya Y
Panelist
Mr Rahul Jain
Invited Speaker
Ms Nidhi Jain
Invited Speaker
Ms Madhu Bala
Invited Speaker
Ms Reena Gupta
Invited Speaker

Here’s A Breakup Of The Event

Student Design Challenge

Student Design Challenge

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Conduct Or Join Workshops

Conduct Or Join Workshops

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Exhibit Ideas And Products

Exhibit Ideas And Products

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Empower 2024 Pitch Day - Startups

Empower 2024 Pitch Day - Startups

Are you seeking funding to advance your innovative solutions and enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities? This is your opportunity!

GDI Hub’s Attvaran, an innovative Assistive Technology (AT) startup accelerator, and the influential NCPEDP are thrilled to announce Empower 2024 Pitch Day, which will take place on October 17, 2024, at the National Institute for Speech and Hearing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Event Details:

  • Date: October 17, 2024
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Location: National Institute for Speech and Hearing, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Our Schedule

Click here to register for attending the sessions

8:00 AM -9:30 AM

Registration

Theme 1: AT in ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION

9:30 to 3:30 : Daksha
Hall 3
Sarala Ramkamal

Session 1A: Accessible Content Development (including STEM content)

By Sarala Ramkamal Chakshumathi NGO

9:30 AM -12:30 PM
Hall 5
Dr.John Gardner

Session1B : Accessible Graphics, past, present, and future

By John Gardner

2:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Hall 7
ISL

Session 1C :Classroom inclusivity through basic Indian Sign Language (ISL)

By ISL Team Lijo Reji,Mohsin Dosani

Theme 2: AT PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Hall 6 - 304
Kanthari LOGO

Session 2 A: Challenges, changes, and chances

By Sabriye Tenberken NGO Kanthari & Team

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Hall 4
Aravind Suresh

Session 2 B: Patent Search and Provisional Filing for Early-Stage Startups

By Aravind Suresh NCAHT-NISH

2 PM- 5 PM
Hall 5 - 505
 Jaidev

Session 2 C : Designing Adaptive Solutions for Visually Challenged Learners.

By Mr. Jaidev G and Assisitive Technology Team ICFOSS

Theme 3: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVING ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING AND HELP ELDERLY POPULATION

9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Hall 4 -401
Dr. Shovan Saha

Session 3 A:Designing of low-tech frugal devices to empower compromised hands using low- temperature thermoplastics

By Dr. Shovan Saha Associate Professor & Guide [for MOT in Hand & Musculoskeletal Condition ]

2 PM- 5 PM
Hall 6
Dr Sindhu

Session 3B:: Assisitve Technology for Elderly

By Dr Sindhu Fire NGO

Theme 4 : STARTUPS AND INVESTORS MEET

Special Registration Required

9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Marigold

Workshop: Managing and Delivering on Funding (plenary)

By Attvaran by GDI Hub. Attvaran, an AT startup accelerator in colaboration with GDI Hub, IIT Delhi and Chennai

10:30 - 11:30 am
Marigold

Panel Discussion: Investing in Assistive Technology Startups

10:30 – 11:30 am
Tulip HALL

Pitching session 1 (for grants)

for Angel and VCs only

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tulip HALL and Marigold HALL

Pitching Session (for both tracks)

for Angel and VCs only

1:30 - 2:30 pm
Tulip HALL and Marigold HALL

Pitching Session (for both tracks)

for Angel and VCs only

1:30 - 2:30 pm
Tulip HALL and Marigold HALL

Pitching Session (for both tracks)

for Angel and VCs only

2:30 - 3:30 pm
Tulip HALL and Marigold HALL

Pitching Session (for both tracks)

for Angel and VCs only

4:00 - 5:00 pm
Tulip HALL and Marigold HALL

Grant Ceremony (plenary)

for Angel and VCs only

5:00 pm onwards
Networking

Grant Ceremony (plenary)

Participants for the Attvaran Event

Venue : Main Hall 1 Marigold Auditorium

09:30 - 10:15
Prof  Saji Gopinath

Key Note : Assistive Technology for Sustainability and Social Innovation.

By Prof Saji Gopinath Vice Chancellor Digital University Kerala and KTU

10:15 - 11:00
Prof Ravi Pooviah

Key Note : Design and Innovation eco-system for the needs of Persons with Disabilities in India

By Prof Ravi Pooviah Professor - IDC, IIT Bombay

11:00 11:15
arman ali

Launching of AT hub connect - NCPEDP

By Mr. Arman Ali

Session 1A: Exploring Next-Generation Mobility Solutions
Convener: Mr. Nekram

Venue : Tulip

11:30 - 11:50
invited talk

Invited Talk : OnBorad devices for Assisitive Technologies

Prof Bala IIT Delhi Mr. Pulkit Sapra Co-Founder, RLF and IWAYPLUS

11:55 - 12:10
invited talk

Invited Talk

Mr. Ashish Jain

12:10 - 12:25
exibitors presentation

Exibitors Presentation

Ostrich Mobility Mr. Binu

12:25 - 12:40
exibitors presentation

(Paper) - Stance Control Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis: From Concept to Product Architecture & Configuration design

Subhash N. N., Sumith S. and Muraleedharan C. V.

12:40 - 12:55
exibitors presentation

(Paper) -A Novel approach for teaching Geo-spatial awareness among visually impaired students: A case study

Jaidev G, Divya C U, Vaisakh V, Sreelekshmi J L, Sooraj S S and Dr. Sunil T

Session 2A Building up of Assisitive Technology Ecosystem
Convener: Dr Akila Surendran ,Co-convener - Ms. Sherin Rahman

Venue : Main Hall 1 Marigold Auditorium

11:30 - 13:00
Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion: The Role of National and International Organizations in Advancing Assistive Technology

Dr Muhammed Asheel National Professional Officer,WHO,Mr Arman Ali (Moderator) Executive Director NCPEDP ,Dr. N.S Senthil Kumar Chief Executive Officer at The Association of People with Disability Dr. Ashoo Grover ICMR

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch Break and Visit to Exhibition

Session 1B: Breaking Communication Barriers through Assistive Technology
Convener: Dr. Vineetha Sara Philip (NISH); Dr Namita Jacob (Chetana Trust)

Venue : Main Hall 2 : Tulip

14:00 - 14:20
invited talk

Invited talk: The role of assistive technology in Augmentative and Alternative Communication in India and the way forward

Kalpana Botta

14:25 - 14:45
invited talk

Invited talk: A sojourn with a silent writer

Aditi Sowmyanarayan

14:50 - 15:05
exibitors presentation

Exibitors Presentation

Avaz Inc

15.05 - 15:20
exibitors presentation

Exibitors Presentation

Dextroware Devices

15:20 - 15:35
scientific talk

Paper : Semantic exploration of visual data using indexed key board navigation for the visually impaired

Sanchit Ghule, Volker Sorge and Tiju Thomas

15:35 - 15:50
scientific talk

Paper : Validation of Tele-Based Auditory Training Module in Tamil for Children with Hearing Loss

Praveena J, P Akshya, Rajkumar R and Haamidha Nasreen U

Session 2B: Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence Convener
Convener:Dr Manohar Swaminathan, Co-convener: Raji NR Moderator: Raji NR

Venue : Marigold Auditorium

14:00 - 14:20
Prof.Sunil.S

Invited Talk : The role of FOSS in enhancing the reach of AI for Accessibility

Prof.Sunil.S Director-ICFOSS

14:20 - 14:40
Invited Talk

Invited Talk :AI and Accessibility Tools built into MSFT Products

Nidhi Jain Mircosoft

14:40 - 15:00
Invited Talk

Invited Talk :

Ms.Madhu Bala Sharma Amazon

15:00 - 15:15
scientific talk

Question and Answer Session for Tech Demo

Combined Q&A for Tech Demos

15:20 - 15:35
scientific talk

Paper : AI for Accessibility: An Autoethnographic Exploration of the Use of AI in the life of a Congenitally Blind Person -

O. Aishwarya

15:35 - 15:50
scientific talk

Paper : From Past to Future: A Decadal Exploration of Assistive Technology Policies (1994-2024) - Charting Global Trends, Focused Insights on Developing Nations

Mr Riyas Kolopram Kandy

16:00 - 16:20
Invited talk

Invited talk:Emerging AI tools for people with vision impairment in India

Ms Vidhya Y Vision Empower

16:20 - 17:50
Invited talk

Interactive Exploration : AI And Assistive technology: Lived expereinces and Aspirations Moderated by Dr Manohar Swaminathan

Dr. Anita Ghai , Mr Sayodeb Mukherjee (Enable india) ,Ms Vidhya Y(Vision Empower Trust) Mr Arun Panayappan (Google),Ms Nidhi Jain (Microsoft), Mr Rahul Jain (Yunikee accessibility services for the Deaf)

17:50 - 18:00
Invited talk

Summary of Session (TBD)

Dr Manohar Swaminathan

Session 1C: Assistive Technology and Accessibility
Convener: Prof. Amit Prakash

Venue : Tulip

16:30 - 16:50
Invited talk

Invited talk: Beyond Consumers: Redefining Disability through Co-Invention and Expertise in Assistive Technology

Sabriye and team, Kanthari

16:50-17:10
Dr Mohammed Asheel

Invited talk: Tech for Inclusion: Empowering Live

Dr Mohammed Asheel National Professional Officer WHO, India

17:10 - 17:30
Prof Gaurav Raheja

Invited talk: Assistance by Design and Design by Empathy

Prof Gaurav Raheja Department of Architecture & Planning, IIT Roorkee

17:30 - 17:45
exibitors presentation

Exibitors Presentation

Iwayplus Pvt Ltd

Session 2C: Building Policies and Initiatives for an Inclusive Community

Venue : Daksha

16:30 - 18:00
Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion: Assistive Technology in Facilitating Employment and Career Advancement

Dr Ravinder Singh,Mr Dipendra Manocha ,Dr K G Satheesh Kumar,Mr Arman Ali, NCPEDP,Mr Vineet Saraiwala (Atypical Advantage) ,Ms Vibha Kothari (Zomato)

09:00 - 10:00
Arun Panyappan

Key Note

By Arun Panyappan Senior Engineering Manager - Google

09:30 - 10:15
Prof Anita Ghai

Key Note :There's no limit to what we can do!!! From a Critical Disability Studies Perspective

By Prof Anita Ghai Professor - Ambedkar university Delhi

10:15 - 11:00
Dr Charudatta Jadav

Key Note : Inclusive gaming- Chess as case study

By Dr Charudatta Jadav Head - Accessibility Center of Excellence at Tata Consultancy Services

Session 3A: Assistive Technology Solutions and employability
Convener: George (Enable India), Co-conveners: Sreebha Sreedhar

Venue : Tulip

11:45 - 12:05
Invited talk

Invited talk:

Ms Leena Singh Zomato

12:05 - 12:25
Invited talk

Invited talk: Accessibility in Manufaturing and Industrial settings: Accommodating disability in physical workspaces

Mr Vineeth (Atypical Advantage)

12:30 - 12:45
Invited talk

(Paper) -IRIS: Encouraging self-learning of tactiles among blind and visually impaired students

Rajagopal Nagarajan, Devidatta Ghosh and Ramita Paul

12:45 - 13:00
Invited talk

Paper) - Understanding Technology Usage and Challenges of Teachers with Visual Impairments in India

Tarini Naik, Roshni Poddar, Venkatesh Deshpande and Manohar Swaminathan

Session 4A : Assitive Technology and unseen challenges/invisible disabilities
Convener: Dr Amit Prakash, Co -convener: Arya Manoharan

Venue : Marigold Auditorium

11:45 - 12:05
Invited talk

Invited Talk: Intellectual disability: Its nature and role of technology

Dr Vaishali Pai (Founder-Director Tamahar Trust)

12:05 - 12:25
Invited talk

Invited Talk: Becoming an Independent Learner: Role of Assistive Technology

Ms Reena Gupta

12:30 - 12:50
Invited talk

Invited Talk:

Mr Sayomdeb Mukerjee Enable India

12:50 - 13:05
Invited talk

Invited Talk: Samarthanam’ Experience on Introducing various technologies for children and adult with intellectual disabilities, challenges faced and the need for more advanced technologies to enhance functional abilities

Mr Shivram Deshpande Enable India

Main Hall

Venue : Marigold Auditorium

14:30 - 15:30
Panel Discussion

Voice of Consumers : Opporunities and Challenges in using AT
Convener: Dipendra Manocha

Dr Shovan Saha ,Dr Manoj 3. Dr Sujesh Sreedharan , SCTIMST (Brain computer Interface ) ,Vidhya ramkumar (prithvi hi) Pranav Saiwal ,Rohith , Bhavana Bhotta , Deepak ,. Smrithi Rajesh ,Suraj Senjam (AIIMS, Delhi)

15:30 - 16:30
Panel Discussion

Panel discussion : Empowering AT startups-From Concept to Market Sucess

Dr Prathheek Madhav ,Mr Praveen ( Dextroware) ,Mr Sidharth Daha (Neomotion)

16:30 - 17:00

Closing ceremony

Closing ceremony - Coordinator & MC - Ms. Arya Manoharan

Conlcuding remarks of EMPOWER 2024 - Dr Suja K Kunnath, Executive Director, NISH

Particiapant feedback
SDC winners announcement
Introduction to EMPOWER 2025

Ticket Pricing

Grab your Tickets

Student,Persons with Disabilities
Pass

2000

  • Conference Ticket
  • Coffee-break
  • Lunch and Networking
  • Gala Dinner on Day 1
  • Keynote talk
  • Workshops
Register Now

Professional Pass

5000

  • Conference Ticket
  • Coffee-break
  • Lunch and Networking
  • Gala Dinner on Day 1
  • Keynote talk
  • Workshops
Register Now

Sponsors

Logo Google
Logo Mircosoft
Logo GDI HUB
Logo Mircosoft

Organisers

Logo NISH
Logo Social Justice Department
Logo IIIT Bangalore

Partners

Logo WHO

Technical Partner

Logo KMTC

Strategic Partner

ksum

Ecosystem Partner

Empower 2024

Our mission is to be the unified voice of the assistive technology industry, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the highest quality products and services.

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