International Conference on Disability and Social Work: INCLUSIVE FUTURES 2031 | March 25 & 26, 2026
The Inter University Centre for Disability Studies (IUCDS), Mahatma Gandhi University, successfully organized the two-day International Conference on Disability and Social Work titled “Inclusive Futures 2031” on March 25–26, 2026, in collaboration with the State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities. The conference, centered on the theme “From Rights to Resilience: Social Work Strategies in Disability Care and Empowerment,” brought together academicians, practitioners, policymakers, and students for meaningful dialogue on inclusive and sustainable disability practices.
The inaugural session began with a prayer by Anugraha Sreekumar (Second Year MSW), followed by the welcome address by Fr. Dr Renny Thomas (Conference Faculty Coordinator). The presidential address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) P. T. Baburaj (Director, IUCDS & State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Kerala), who emphasised the importance of rights-based frameworks and policy integration. The inaugural address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) C. T. Aravindakumar (Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam). The theme presentation was led by Sug Pyo Kim (President of Eurasia Forum & Daegu Council on Social Welfare, South Korea), offering a global perspective on disability inclusion, followed by the keynote address by Prof. (Dr.) Baiju K. R (Dean, School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam).
A major highlight of the session was the declaration of IUCDS as the Nodal Office of the State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities by the Hon. Vice Chancellor. This was followed by the release of several scholarly publications authored and edited by Prof. (Dr.) P. T. Baburaj, Fr. Dr Renny Thomas, Dr Blessy Ann Varughese, Dr Shynu V. C., Dr Anita Elizabeth Mathew, Dr Jebamalar E., and Jasimudeen S., contributing significantly to the field of disability studies and social work.
Felicitations were offered by Prof. (Dr.) Aju K. Narayanan (Professor, School of Letters, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam) and Dr Ipe Varghese (HOD, Department of Social Work, BCM College, Kottayam). The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Shynu V. C. (Assistant Professor, IUCDS, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam).
The post-inaugural session featured a panel discussion on “Challenges and Prospects in Disability Care and Empowerment,” moderated by Dr. Harishkumar V. G. (Asst. Professor, Dept. of Social Work, Sree Sabareesa College, Murikkumvayal). The panel included Dr. Abbas Ali (Executive Director, NIPMR, Thrissur), Dr. Rohith P. (Associate Professor, School of Letters, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam), Shri Rajeev R. (Deputy Secretary, State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities, Kerala), Smt. Rejitha L. (HOD, Dept of Social Work, National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Trivandrum, Kerala, and Shri Sabith Umar (Manager, Peace Valley, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam), who shared insights on policy, service delivery, and grassroots innovations.
The academic segment comprised 48 paper presentations conducted across three offline and two online venues. These sessions were chaired by distinguished academicians, including Dr. Naushad P. P (Director, School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies (SGTDS), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam), Dr. Anita Elizabeth Mathew (Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of Political Science, St. Mary’s College, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad), Smt. Rejitha L (HOD, Dept of Social Work, National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Trivandrum, Kerala), Dr Shynu V. C. (Assistant Professor, IUCDS, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam) , and Dr Neenu Mathews (Assistant Professor, IUCDS, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam). These sessions showcased diverse research contributions across inclusive education, mental health, assistive technologies, tribal social work, and policy development.
Overall, Inclusive Futures 2031 served as a dynamic platform for academic exchange, policy dialogue, and community engagement, reinforcing IUCDS’s commitment to advancing inclusive, rights-based, and resilience-oriented practices in disability care and social work.
Two-Day National Conference on Early Intervention | March 23 & 24, 2018
Dates : 23rd &24th March 2018
Venue : Assembly Hall, M. G. University
Organisers : Inter University Centre for Disability Studies (IUCDS), M.G. University & Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities –Kerala (CRC-Kozhikode)
Total Number of Participants : 115
The Inter University Centre for Disability Studies (IUCDS), Mahatma Gandhi University and Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities –Kerala (CRC-Kozhikode) jointly conducted two days National Conference. The topic of the programme was ‘Early Intervention. The RCI-registered special educators and other rehabilitation professionals attended the programme. The programme started on 23rd March 2018 at 10 am.
Prof. (Dr.) SABU THOMAS, Hon’ble Pro-Vice Chancellor, M.G. University, inaugurated the program.
Dr. P.T. Baburaj, Hon. Director, IUCDS, presided over the function. Ms. Hena N.N, Lecturer, IUCDS, welcomed the gathering and the special address by Prof. (Dr.) M.S. Razeena Padmam, Former Director , School of Behavioural Sciences & IUCDS , Mahatma Gandhi University, Dr. C. S Amika Devi, Former Co-ordinator, IUCDS felicitated the function; and vote of thanks by Dr.Suresh Kumar, Assistant Professor, CRC Kozhikode .
During the valedictory function, Dr. P.T. Baburaj, Hon. Director, IUCDS, distributed the certificates to the participants.
© 2026 Mahatma Gandhi University. Priyadarsini Hills, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
