Nilesh Singit

Holding a Master’s in English, a Diploma in Human Rights, and a Certified Internet Professional credential, Nilesh combines research insight with field implementation. His approach is rooted in practical problem-solving and the effective realisation of rights for persons with disabilities.

As a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, he has played a pivotal role in advancing evidence-based accessibility policies. He was part of the core team that authored the Finding Sizes for All (FSA) report—commissioned by the Supreme Court of India as part of its ongoing oversight on accessibility and inclusion. The FSA report, submitted in 2024, documents the national status of accessibility compliance and has informed subsequent judicial and policy directives.

Advocacy and Legal Work

Nilesh is the lead petitioner in Nilesh Singit vs. Union of India, Writ Petition (Civil) No. 228 of 2006, Diary No. 11224/2006, a landmark Public Interest Litigation pending before the Supreme Court of India addressing accessibility and inclusion under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016).

He has also contributed to the reforms pursued under the related matter Rajive Raturi vs. Union of India (W.P. Civil No. 243 of 2005), where the Finding Sizes for All report was placed on record and became a cornerstone for the Court’s observations on accessibility. While the formal listing appears under the Raturi title, Nilesh’s involvement as both petitioner and researcher illustrates his continuous engagement with legal policy and the architecture of accessibility reform.​

Areas of Expertise

• Accessibility Audits and Design: Technical evaluation, policy integration, and universal design implementation.

• Policy and Law Reform: Supporting institutions in policy drafting and compliance under RPwD 2016 and UNCRPD.

• Research and Documentation: Leading evidence-based research influencing court orders and governance reforms.

• Training and Speaking: Conducting workshops, policy dialogues, and academic sessions on accessibility and inclusion.

Leadership and Collaborations

• State Icon, Maharashtra Election Commission – promoting accessible voting systems.

• Member, Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility – contributing to judicial infrastructure and digital standards.

• Founder, Nilesh Singit Consultancy Services (NSCS) – offering strategic, legal, and design consultancy.

• Distinguished Research Fellow, CDS NALSAR – collaborating on national and international disability law projects.

Commitment to Open and Inclusive Technology

A vocal open-source advocate, Nilesh promotes the development and use of accessible technologies that reduce digital barriers. His initiatives support free and inclusive tools that strengthen access, participation, and empowerment for persons with disabilities.

Beyond Work

Beyond advocacy, Nilesh values creative reflection through cinema and storytelling. Films and series that explore empathy and transformation continue to inspire his lifelong mission: building a society where accessibility is a shared civic value, not an exception.