‘Samaaveshi Pathshaala Foundation’ is a grassroots nonprofit working to build an ecosystem of disability inclusion in Karjat tribal block of Maharashtra (60 km from Mumbai). Founded in 2018 by two alumni of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Samaaveshi works at the intersection of early disability identification, teacher training and inclusive education. Today, our work reaches a growing network of 100+ Anganwadis and schools in Karjat; engaging with teachers, children, families and communities to make education more accessible and inclusive.

OUR JOURNEY:
Samaaveshi’s journey began on 3rd December 2018 (World Disability Day), with an inclusive kindergarten operating from a modest two-room rented space in Kashele village. Gradually, we expanded our operations to establish a community library, using books, storytelling and library-centred workshops to strengthen literacy and life skills among children in Kashele and adjoining tribal hamlets.

Post-COVID19, Samaaveshi adopted a whole-systems approach to inclusion, moving beyond direct classroom intervention to strengthening capacity of local educators and institutions. Today, we work on a ‘hub-and-spoke model’ with 7 Anganwadis and 5 ZP schools under Kashele gram panchayat (the HUB), reaching 500+ students, incl. 16 children with disabilities (CWDs).

Since 2019, our Inclusive Anganwadi Training Programme has complemented this work through a six-month workshop series for Anganwadi teachers, focused on early disability identification, inclusive education and classroom practices. Our aim is to build a cadre of inclusive educators who can identify CWDs early and enable them to learn and participate in their nearest Anganwadis. Today, Samaaveshi’s training extends across 100 villages of Karjat block (the SPOKES), strengthening the early educational experiences of 3,000+ children and laying the foundation for a more inclusive education ecosystem.

Samaaveshi is the recipient of iPRENEUR 2019, Wipro Education Fellowship (2021–23) & Acumen India Fellowship (2025).

Professor,
Centre for Equity & Justice for Children & Families, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
(TISS), Mumbai.

Executive Director,
National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), New Delhi.

Founder,
Ummeed Inclusion Fellowship Programme (UIFP), Mumbai.

Founder,
Xtremely Young Zoroastrians (XYZ) Foundation, Mumbai.

Co-founder & Director

Nivedita brings over a decade of experience in disability inclusion and inclusive education, having worked with grassroots and international organisations, including Shishu Sarothi and Save the Children. She holds an MSW in 'Disability Studies and Action' from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, along with a certificate in Arts-Based Therapy from the World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation (WCCLF), Pune. Before co-founding Samaaveshi, she served as a consultant with the inclusive education division of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), New Delhi.

As Director of Samaaveshi, Nivedita leads the organisation’s curriculum design, teacher training, and resource development verticals.

Email: Nivedita.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

Co-founder & Head of Operations

Ashok has 10+ years of experience in journalism and development communication. He holds a BA in Journalism from Bangalore University, where he founded a student collective called 'Mission 5'. He subsequently completed an MSW in 'Health & Development' from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Between 2012 and 2018, Ashok served as a Field Communication Officer with CBM International, an international charity headquartered in Germany, with assignments based in Nepal and India.

As Head of Operations at Samaaveshi, Ashok leads the organisation’s community engagement, communications, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.

Email: Ashok.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

Education Advisor

Veena holds a B.Sc. and a B.Ed. in Special Education from SNDT University, Mumbai, and brings over a decade of experience as a special educator, working with children with disabilities in Mumbai’s informal settlements. She currently serves as Joint Director at Parveen Industries Pvt. Ltd.

As Education Advisor to Samaaveshi, Veena provides strategic guidance on inclusive curriculum design, Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) for children with disabilities, and the organisation’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Inclusion Advisor

Andriya is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Mumbai. She holds an MA in 'Disability Studies and Action' from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, and brings over a decade of experience in the social development sector.

As Inclusion Advisor to Samaaveshi, Andriya provides strategic guidance to ensure that the organisation’s programmes are grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion across programme design and implementation.

Field/Community Associate

Vaibhav is a resident of Kothimbe village and is currently pursuing 10+2 in Karjat. A people-oriented individual, he has volunteered as a field staff with a local NGO for a few years.

At Samaaveshi, Vaibhav supports travel and logistical arrangements, assists community/Anganwadi training, and STEM sessions conducted in local ZP schools.

Lead, Anganwadi Project

Pooja completed her B.Com. and began her teaching journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she taught local children at a community learning centre.

Her experience sparked a passion for teaching, and she decided to pursue it as a career. After working with Samaaveshi’s kindergarten for two years, she was entrusted with leading the AARAMBH project in June 2023. She also facilitates workshops on Aakar curriculum and inclusive pedagogy for Anganwadi teachers.

Lead, ZP School Project

Ashwini completed her Diploma in Teacher Education (D. T. Ed.) in 2011, and worked over eight years as a teacher and life-skills educator with local NGOs in Karjat.

She joined Samaaveshi in July 2025 and currently leads the NIPUN - ZP School Inclusive Transformation project. Her role focuses on strengthening inclusive classroom practices across ZP schools in Kashele area, with a focus on children from low-income and tribal communities

Lead, NIOS Project

Suvarna completed her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and taught at a primary school in Kashele for five years.

After taking a career break due to motherhood, she joined Samaaveshi as an outreach tutor, supporting students from tribal communities during COVID. She subsequently became a formal teacher and has been leading the NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) project.