What does it take to create classrooms where every child feels seen, supported, and valued?
Dhwani (which means sound or voice) is a thoughtfully crafted teacher resource toolkit led by practitioners and published by Bookosmia, with support from the Bachpan Manao initiative at EkStep Foundation. Developed through the lived experiences of educators, Dhwani brings together strategies, stories, and tools that support inclusive teaching practices. It is available as a digital public good under a Creative Commons License—free and open to all.
Why Dhwani?
India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) and the National Education Policy underscore the importance of inclusion in schools. Yet, for many early childhood educators, implementing inclusive practices remains a daily challenge.
Dhwani was envisioned as a resource that not only equips teachers to work with learners of all kinds but also affirms their journey, offering support and practical guidance grounded in real classroom scenarios.
A Resource Rooted in Practice
At the heart of Dhwani is collaboration. The toolkit was brought to life by Shwetha Srivathsan, a special educator and parent to acclaimed non-speaking autistic author Aditi Srivathsan, alongside a diverse group of educators and inclusion champions.
Contributors came from a range of settings—international private schools, government classrooms, Montessori environments, and non-profit organizations. Their combined wisdom and lived experiences shaped a resource that is relevant, nuanced, and deeply human.
Guiding Principles
-
Support the teacher first. Recognizing that teachers need to feel supported, valued, and emotionally ready for the inclusion journey.
-
Focus on observation, not diagnosis. Teachers are not expected to label students but to notice and respond to their needs with sensitivity.
-
Celebrate growth. Regular documentation of progress can help teachers reflect, adapt, and stay encouraged.
Inside Dhwani
Dhwani is filled with practical examples, real teacher reflections, and photos from classrooms. It presents everyday teaching moments that highlight inclusion in action—making the resource relatable and useful across school systems.
Rather than being instructional or prescriptive, Dhwani is written in a tone that is conversational, encouraging, and empathetic—like a trusted mentor.
Beyond a Toolkit – A Growing Movement
Dhwani is more than a manual—it’s a platform to center the voices of teachers who are creating change in classrooms across India.To build on this momentum, the Dhwani team offers paid workshops (online and offline) for schools looking to deepen their inclusive practices. These sessions are designed and led by the practitioners who shaped the resource, ensuring lived experience is at the forefront—and that their time and expertise is fairly compensated.📧 Workshop queries:
ntd@bookosmia.com
shwetha.srivathsan@gmail.com
📞 +91 76191 27444
Launched with Inclusion at the Core
Dhwani was introduced during the NeuroUnity event, supported by India Autism Center—an event entirely run by neurodiverse individuals. From welcoming guests to catering and performances, the event beautifully embodied the spirit of inclusion that Dhwani strives to promote.
What the Community Is Saying
This manual is an invitation to see beyond the labels, beyond the struggles, and into the incredible hearts and minds of children who experience the world differently. Some children learn through movement, some through music, some through deep focus, and some through a million distractions. You, dear teacher, hold the power to unlock this learning “- Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy & Partnerships, EkStep Foundation
“The caregiver and classroom resource created by Bookosmia is definitely going to be a game changer for creating inclusive classrooms, classrooms which will benefit not just those with disabilities but all children to feel accepted and thrive. We are extremely happy to have contributed to creating this resource and hope teachers across the country can benefit from it.”- Sonali Saini, Founder, Sol’s Arc
“As a mother to an autistic child, I have personally experienced the challenges of finding environments where our children are truly seen, understood, and supported. While I firmly believe that special needs schools are the right choice for my child today, I dream of a future where inclusive classrooms are not the exception but the norm. Supporting this resource book is my small step toward that vision—where every teacher is empowered, and every child, regardless of their neurotype, has a place in the classroom.”- Mugdha Kalra, Award-winning Media Professional, Autism Activist , Special Needs Mom and BBC 100 Women’21, Co-founder Not That Different @Bookosmia
Download the Toolkit
At Bachpan Manao, we’re privileged to have been part of this collective journey alongside Bookosmia and a remarkable group of educators. Dhwani is now freely available for educators, schools, and organizations to adapt and share.
)
