Abha Khetarpal

Abha Khetarpal is a writer, counsellor, teacher, social worker, motivational speaker, and disability rights activist in India. A polio survivor dedicated to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, she serves as Honorary Counsellor for students with disabilities at UCMS & GTB Hospital, New Delhi and a member of the Sexual Harassment Committee at the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

With a firm belief that accessible ICT can advance opportunities for people with disabilities, she launched Cross the Hurdles in 2010 – the first-ever counselling/educational resource website and mobile app designed exclusively for people with disabilities. She also developed a free self-paced course in comprehensive sexuality education for adults and teens with disabilities.

As a woman with a disability, much of her career focuses on empowering other women in the disability community to become more independent and take control of their health needs. She has authored several handbooks, including ‘Keeping You Abreast; A Handbook on Breast Cancer Self-Examination,’ and ‘Going with the Flow; Handbook on Menstrual Management & Hygiene.’

In 2016, Abha was widely recognized for her accomplishments when she named one of ‘100 Women Achievers’ by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India.