New Delhi: India Autism Center (IAC), a leading
not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and
related developmental conditions, participated in the first National
Assisted Living Facility Organisations Consortium (ALFOC) Conclave, a day-long
seminar focused on advancing dialogue around assisted living for
individuals with special needs. Currently developing Samaavesh, India’s
largest lifelong residential care ecosystem for neurodiverse individuals, IAC’s
participation reflected its strong commitment to building a more inclusive,
informed, and supportive community framework.
The conclave convened prominent voices from
across the assisted living ecosystem, including Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan
(Director and CEO, India Autism Center), alongside Ms. Neena Wagh
(Founder Director – ALFOC), Ms. Mugdha Kalra (Journalist &
PhD Scholar – Assisted Living), Ms. Seema Chadha (Muskaan
PAEPID), Ms. Sangeeta Jain (Founder & CEO – Ekya Assisted
Living), Col. Updesh (PACT Assisted Living), Ms. Kavita
Beniwal (Samarth Assisted Living), and Mr. Jitendra PS Solanki
(RIA, Estate Planner & Special Needs Planner), among other key stakeholders
shaping the assisted living landscape.
Bringing together experts, practitioners,
and families, the conclave served as a collaborative platform to deliberate on
the future of residential care in India. As part of the discussions, Mr. Jaishankar
Natarajan, Director and CEO – India Autism Center (IAC), led a session
introducing IAC’s upcoming residential initiative, Samaavesh, in Kolkata. In
his address, he shared, “India is at a critical juncture when it comes to
planning lifelong care for individuals with autism and other developmental
conditions. As life expectancy increases, the urgency to build robust,
future-ready residential ecosystems becomes even more pronounced. Assisted
living must be designed to ensure dignity, independence, and continuity of care
across every life stage. Through Samaavesh, we aim to create a holistic
and sustainable model that empowers individuals while providing families with
long-term assurance and support.”
A key highlight was the panel discussion
moderated by Ms. Mugdha Kalra, which brought together sector leaders to
share practical insights into the operational and emotional aspects of assisted
living.
About the 1st National ALFOC
Conclave 2026, Ms Neena Wagh, Founder, Director, ALFOC, shared,
"The conversation around assisted living in India is steadily gaining
momentum, yet for many families, the journey still feels uncertain and
fragmented. What they seek is not just care, but reassurance, spaces where
their loved ones can live with dignity and a true sense of belonging. At the
same time, there is a growing need to shape this ecosystem with intention
through clear standards, shared guidelines, and sustained handholding for those
working to build meaningful solutions for the parent community. Initiatives
like ALFOC play a vital role in this journey, by fostering dialogue and sharing
best practices, as well as by driving a more conscious, collaborative movement
towards care that is both accessible and deeply compassionate."
By actively engaging with sector
leaders and advancing its vision through Samaavesh, IAC seeks to play a
defining role in building a more structured, collaborative, and future-ready
assisted living ecosystem for individuals with special needs.