VOSAP’s Project HITARTH Shortlisted for Zero Project Awards 2027 at the United Nations in Vienna
Selected from 615 nominations across 94 countries, VOSAP’s community-based healthcare initiative is gaining global recognition for advancing disability inclusion in India.
Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP) is proud to announce that Project HITARTH has been shortlisted for the prestigious Zero Project Awards 2027, an international recognition of innovative solutions that advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Developed by VOSAP in partnership with PARIVAAR – National Confederation of Parents’ Organizations (NCPO), Project HITARTH has successfully cleared the first stage of the global expert review, securing a place on the shortlist from among 615 nominations representing 94 countries. The recognition highlights the potential of India’s community-based healthcare inclusion model to create meaningful and lasting change.
The shortlisted initiatives will be presented at the Zero Project Conference, scheduled for February 10–12, 2027, at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.
A Global Milestone for India’s Disability Sector
Pranav Desai, Founder of VOSAP, expressed his pride in this international recognition and acknowledged PARIVAAR’s exemplary execution of the online platform developed for Project HITARTH.
He emphasized that the achievement represents an important milestone for India’s disability sector, bringing international attention to locally developed solutions that can inspire and support similar initiatives worldwide.
“This nomination reflects something bigger than any single program — it shows that solutions built in India, for India, can set a global benchmark for disability. HITARTH exists because of our tireless Sahayaks and the trust of thousands of families, and this recognition belongs to them.”
— Pranav Desai, Founder, Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP)
The Zero Project is a globally recognized initiative dedicated to identifying and sharing innovative solutions that advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Being shortlisted reflects the international relevance of the HITARTH model and its potential to address persistent barriers to healthcare access.
Project HITARTH: Bringing Healthcare Within Reach
Conceived and fully funded by VOSAP and implemented by PARIVAAR in alignment with VOSAP’s vision, Project HITARTH is India’s first Community Navigator Model designed to help persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) access essential healthcare benefits.
At the heart of the initiative are trained HITARTH Sahayaks, or Community Navigators, who work directly with families to facilitate enrollment, renewals, and access to the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, implemented by the National Trust, Government of India.
For many families, navigating enrollment procedures and maintaining access to healthcare benefits can be challenging. HITARTH addresses these barriers through a community-based, last-mile approach that brings assistance directly to beneficiaries.
By connecting families with the resources and guidance they need, the initiative helps make healthcare more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The program has directly impacted more than 75,000 beneficiaries with intellectual disabilities, demonstrating the potential of a coordinated community-led approach to expand access to essential health insurance benefits.
A Powerful Partnership for Last-Mile Inclusion
Project HITARTH reflects the strength of collaboration between VOSAP and PARIVAAR in addressing the healthcare needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities across India.
Dr. Pankaj Maru, National President of PARIVAAR and Founder of SNEH, expressed pride in the recognition and highlighted the collaborative model’s potential to expand access to healthcare for millions of Indians with intellectual disabilities and other eligible beneficiaries under the National Trust’s Niramaya scheme.
The partnership brings together VOSAP’s commitment to innovation, technology, and disability inclusion with PARIVAAR’s implementation efforts and community connections. Together, the organizations are working to strengthen healthcare access for families who might otherwise face significant barriers in accessing available government benefits.
The international recognition further reinforces the importance of empowering community-based organizations and navigators to bridge the gap between government welfare schemes and the people they are intended to serve.
Advancing VOSAP’s Vision for Disability Inclusion
VOSAP works to advance disability rights and inclusion in India and the United States through community-based programs, assistive technology, advocacy, and volunteer engagement.
Project HITARTH embodies this mission by combining community participation, technology-enabled coordination, and on-the-ground support to create a scalable model for healthcare inclusion.
Its shortlisting for the Zero Project Awards 2027 is an encouraging step toward greater global recognition of Indian-led innovations in the disability sector. It also highlights the vital role of partnerships, dedicated community navigators, and family engagement in building more inclusive systems.
As Project HITARTH moves forward, VOSAP and PARIVAAR remain committed to strengthening the model and expanding its reach, helping more families access healthcare benefits and enabling persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with greater dignity, security, and inclusion.
From India to the world, Project HITARTH demonstrates how locally developed solutions, driven by compassion and collaboration, can contribute to a more inclusive future
Learn more, become a donor, or join the movement at www.vocieofsap.org
