Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane Profile

Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane, Head Department, Education and Extension, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. He is renowned researcher in the area of Inclusive Education and practices. Professor Sonawane Center for Inclusive Education and Accessibility in 2008 The Center is support service unit for students with disabilities of over 700 affiliated Colleges and over 52 academic departments of the University. Enrolment of persons with disabilities in the colleges has increased significantly due to support of this center. He emphasized to provide the cutting age assistive technologies and job oriented skill development programme for students with visual impairment. He introduced a “Certificate Course in Basic Computing and Assistive Technology Learning in the University with the objective to impart knowledge of computer with advanced assistive technologies to the students with disabilities. Over 300 students with disabilities trained for computer aided assistive technologies which resulted in to their success in academics and profession. Over 40 students with disabilities are placed in government and corporate organization, Ten of them are at officer level and two are entrepreneurs providing employment to others. He supervised several projects related to training and research in Inclusive Education, Academic and Web Accessibility. He developed university education model for students with disabilities for main streaming by creating barrier free environment in academics and accessible works culture so that more students with disabilities be employable through technological capability building . He also provided support and consultancy to establish similar service facilities to enhance employment of disabilities in other academic institutions in India.