As one of its vital institutions, media has enormous influence on society and societal values. It’s a potent tool to influence behavior and challenge stereotypes. Acknowledging the role of media in transforming societal initiatives, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) in collaboration with O.P. Jindal Global University and EXL launched a Media Toolkit – A Guide to Reporting Disability.

This toolkit would provide journalists with guidelines on respectful language, best practices, and strategies to engage with disability issues thoughtfully, ensuring that this invisibilized topic receives accurate representation in media.

"This toolkit has been developed to equip journalists with the tools to report on disability with accuracy and respect, promote the use of empowering language that highlights rights and capabilities, not just challenges, serves as a resource for understanding the socio-political and legal framework that governs disability rights in India, such as the RPWD Act 2016 and the UNCRPD. I hope this initiative will contribute to building a media landscape where persons with disabilities are portrayed not as victims or heroes but as individuals with equal rights, aspirations, and contributions to make.," remarked Arman Ali,

Executive Director, NCPEDP, during a panel discussion held on the launch of the toolkit on Tuesday.

The launch of the media toolkit was followed up by a panel discussion titled "The Role of Media in Shaping the Discourse on Disability," moderated by Prof. Kishalay Bhattacharjee, Professor & Dean, Jindal School of Journalism and Communication, O.P. Jindal Global University. The panelists included Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP; Dr. Navneet Anand, Founder Director, GreyMatters Communications; Bharat Sharma, Senior Assistant Vice President – Transformation and Solutioning, EXL; and MuskanJain, Assistant Vice President – Global Corporate Social Responsibility Lead, EXL.