Puneet Singh Singhal

Puneet Singh Singhal (born August 28, 1996) is a prominent advocate for disability inclusion, an expert in accessibility, and a climate activist recognized for his significant efforts in advancing disability rights, promoting accessibility, and fostering inclusive practices on a global scale.

Puneet Singh Singhal
Puneet Singh Singhal
Born	August 28, 1996
Birthplace	Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Disability Inclusion Advocate, Accessibility Professional, Climate Activist
Organization	Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (GNYPWD)
Known for	Promoting disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive practices globally
Awards	Awesome Foundation's Disability Chapter grant recipient
Website	Puneet Singh Singhal on GNYPWD

Early Life and Education

Puneet Singh Singhal, born on August 28, 1996, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, is the son of Balbir Singh Singhal and Renu Singhal. He completed his schooling at Air Force Senior Secondary School on Race Course Road (now Lok Kalyan Marg). From 2014 to 2017, he pursued a Bachelor's degree in English Literature at the University of Delhi (Aryabhatta University). He continued his academic journey by earning a Master's degree in International Relations from Annamalai University between 2017 and 2019.

Career

Puneet Singh Singhal's career is characterized by his unwavering commitment to disability inclusion and accessibility advocacy. During the 2020 lockdown, he launched "Project Cyber Hygiene," an initiative designed to raise awareness about the spread of fake news in India. His activism earned him a place on the Delhi Minority Commission's Peace Committee in 2019, where he focused on addressing injustices faced by minorities in Delhi.

From 2015 to 2020, Singh devoted his expertise to several prominent organizations, including Amnesty International, Vision India Foundation, ActionAid India, and the Association for Democratic Reforms. He is the founder of 'ssstart,' an organization dedicated to normalizing speech and communication disabilities while promoting a more inclusive and accessible society. His work in conservation and sustainable development was recognized when he was selected as one of the 96 members of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). Furthermore, he became the first Indian to be awarded a USD 1,000 grant from the Awesome Foundation's Disability Chapter.

Current Endeavors

Puneet Singh Singhal currently leads the community for the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (GNYPWD), fostering a diverse network of over 600 young members with disabilities worldwide. He is responsible for organizing skill-building workshops, facilitating networking opportunities, and developing 'Accessible Connect,' a digital platform aimed at closing accessibility gaps and empowering young people with disabilities globally.

Under his guidance, GNYPWD introduced the Micro-Funding Seed Grants Initiative, which supports young people's initiatives in promoting disability rights and inclusion. He also played a key role in launching the AccessAbility Innovation Challenge, which empowers young innovators with disabilities to develop technological solutions addressing barriers in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

As the Chief Discovery Officer for Billion Strong, Singh is committed to increasing the "Discoverability" of persons with disabilities, particularly from the Global South, with a focus on enhancing visibility, embracing intersectionality, and promoting equity.

Education Details

• B.A. English Literature, University of Delhi (Aryabhatta University), 2014-2017
• M.A. International Relations, Annamalai University, 2017-2019

Career Achievements

Puneet's notable works have been recognized through various awards, grants, and media features. He is also a DEI practitioner with NASA. He is an Ambassador and a changemaker coach. He serves as an advisory board member at Wails of a Tale Productions and is a Goodwill Impact partner at Lady Rebel Club. Additionally, he works as an assistive technology consultant at the International Disability Alliance (IDA).

External Links

• Puneet Singh Singhal on Twitter
• Puneet Singh Singhal on LinkedIn