Sumana Dutta
Qualifications
- Masters in Inclusion and Special Education Needs from University of Northampton, UK
- Completed Women Entrepreneur program through Goldman Sacs 10K program at NSRCL, IIM, Bangalore
- RCI certified Special Educator specialized in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders from Manipal University Registration No. B57924
- Arts-Based Therapy Practitioner from WCCLF Pune
- Masters in Food and Nutrition Science, Kolkata University
- ED Degree from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata
- Diploma in Computer Networking Technology
Operations
- As Founder, Executive Director of Akshadhaa Foundation Sumana oversees therapeutic intervention, comprehensive education program and vocational skill training.
- She is also responsible for Blessings Social Enterprise, the marketing wing of Akshadhaa Foundation, which brands and sells products made by trainees to provide a stipend to trainee candidates.
- Sumana is the architect of “Equip the Special Million”, a pan-India project designed to train and empower trainers, educators, parents and caregivers through training courses and workshops.
- She is frequently invited by prominent corporate houses and educational institutions to deliver guest lectures and develop events designed to drive sensitivity towards people with autism and intellectual disability.
- The Inclusive Carnival is Sumana’s brainchild of hers. The Carnival has been conceptualised and designed to create a platform for neurodiverse individuals to share space with larger society, allowing them to showcase their skills, and ability to contribute meaningfully in a non-threatening environment. By the same token, there is an opportunity to foster greater diversity and inclusion among individuals and organisations. Dell, Shell, Goldman Sachs, Accenture, 24×7, ANZ Bank, Allegis, Christ University, Heritage school, Foundation school, CMR school are some eminent organisations where Sumana has been able to sensitise almost 10,000 employees and students.
- Sumana has led Akshadhaa’s collaboration with prominent educational institutions like Kristu Jayanti college, CMR college, Monfort college, St Anns college, St. Josephs college, Garden City College of Physiotherapy, Sri Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech, and Hearing to provide internship opportunities for students from the fields of psychology, social work, physiotherapy, speech therapy to contribute and secure hands-on experience in the domain of neuro-developmental disabilities.
Awards and acknowledgements
- Topper of the batch of Diploma in Special Education- Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2010
- Recipient of Dr. Amarnath Annual Award for Inclusion for 10 years of service in this field
- Recipient of Goldman Sacs 10K women entrepreneur program scholarship at IIM Bangalore
- Recipient of N S Hema Memorial Award for being the “Outstanding NGO in the disability sector South India”.