We create tech-enabled solutions that help people with disabilities find relevant information and opportunities at scale
Trusted By:
About Us
For and By Persons with Disabilities
I-Stem is a nonprofit founded by individuals with lived experience, committed to making the benefits of digital technology accessible to everyone, including the over 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
Working towards an independent, dignified life
At the core of our work is meaningful livelihood for everyone, including accessible upskilling and career support.
Ripple Effect
Our mission is to help persons with disabilities lead the way. Through mentorship, connections, and community support, we aim to empower the next generation of role models, creating a ripple effect of inclusion and opportunity.
Our Impact
25000+ PwDs Impacted
70+ Non Profit Partners
Programs in 15 States
1.5 million accessible pages made available
10,000 jobs accessed
The Problem
~$112 billion lost every year in India
Two-thirds (~20Million) of people with disabilities unemployed in India with many more under-employed
PwDs are 3 times more likely to be multidimensional poor in India as compared to any other individual
Why?
Supply
- People with disabilities don’t have employable skills due to lack of accessible resources and opportunities (96% of the internet is inaccessible for Persons with Disabilities)
- There is self-doubt around working in high-growth positions
Demand
- Academic institutes and corporates have low expectations from students and employees with disabilities due to few success stories
- Belief that there is negative or no ROI to hire PWDs due to lack of awareness
Our solution
NClude
Accessibility conversion services and personalized career discovery, information, resources and opportunities available through a web platform, WhatsApp and IVR Works without internet and on feature phones, thereby enhancing access to all Collaboration with Govt. of India to scale to 20 Million+ people with disabilities across the country through tech integration in the Sugamya Bharat app
Features
- Accessible news
- Inclusive Jobs
- Accessibility conversion
- Information access
- Accessible library
Accessibility conversion services and personalized career discovery, information, resources and opportunities available through a web platform, WhatsApp and IVR
Works without internet and on feature phones, thereby enhancing access to all
Collaboration with Govt. of India to scale to 20 Million+ people with disabilities across the country through tech integration in the Sugamya Bharat app
Tech Onboarding
Confluence
Events focused on demystifying myths and biases around disability with a particular emphasis on employers and PWDs.
Employment Readiness Fellowship
Dedicated support for high-potential PWDs, helping to create a movement that changes the disability narrative from charity to achievement and success
Our Model
Through collaboration with our partners, we provide support throughout a PWD's lifecycle
Early Years
Information on disability benefits, schemes, assistive technologies, resources and parenting strategies in local languages
School Education
Accessible Textbooks and Career discovery
College Education
- Accessible textbook and information, Career discovery, Inclusive hiring
- Employment readiness
Workplaces
Accessibility support and Career mobility
School Education
Accessible Textbooks and Career discovery
Independent Living
- Information about disability strategies, government schemes and policies and other information in local language
- Accessible disability and mainstream news
- Accessibility complaint registration and tracking
- (Coming soon) Accessible web navigation
Scaling Impact
- Technology integrated with Sugamya Bharat app, the go-to app for accessibility by the Govt. of India
- Provides information, resources and opportunities in local languages
Blogs
The Team
Kartik Sawhney
Co-Founder
Technologist and Accessibility Innovator
Shakul Sonker
Co-Founder
Disability Advocate
Nikhil Priyadarsh
Head of Artificial Intelligence
Sahil Garg
Programs and Operations
Recognitions
