A society with equal opportunities

AKASA is a network of self help groups of persons with disabilities or family members of persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on women with disabilities or female family members of persons with disabilities.

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Empowering Voices

These are few of our brave souls and their stories with AKASA organisation

Portrait of L.A. Champika Nishanthi de Silva

Read Champika's story

Portrait of K.M. Tusharika Kumari

Read Tusharika's story

Portrait of Priyanka Kumarasinghe

Read Priyanka's story

Portrait of Nethmi Piumanti Dissanayake

Read Nethmi's story

Portrait of Umesha Alahakon

Read Umesha's story

Read Nethmi's story

Who we are

A society with equal opportunities for full participation is available to all

AKASA is an organisation dedicated to building an inclusive society in Sri Lanka where everyone enjoys equal rights and opportunities.

More about AKASA
AKASA members and families, including several wheelchair users, in a group photo

What we tackle

The social, economic, political, educational, and cultural challenges and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities.

How we help

Enhancing abilities, skills, and capacities, promoting equal rights and opportunities, and creating an enabling environment to live freely, independently, and with dignity.

What we aim for

Persons with disabilities, especially women, exercising their rights, realising their full potential, and participating equally in all aspects of society.

Awareness sessions

Breaking Barriers: Accessible Sexual & Reproductive Health Education

In Sri Lanka, the disabled community often faces barriers to accessing vital information about sexual health, reproductive well being, and hygiene. To address this, AKASA has developed this video series to deliver accurate and accessible education. This comprehensive resource is designed to protect all children, including those with disabilities from sexual abuse, explain the physical and mental changes of puberty, promote healthy body awareness, and offer necessary insights for young adults prior to marriage.​

Make a difference with AKASA

Join Our Community of Volunteers

AKASA thrives on the support and dedication of volunteers who share our vision of creating an inclusive society for women with disabilities. Your time and skills can make a profound impact.

This is us

Three decades of standing together

30+

Years of working together

AKASA grew out of a federation of six women with disabilities formed in 1989, and was formally founded on 30 December 1995 with 36 members.

2,000+

Members

Our members are organised in village self-help groups that work together at regional, district and national levels.

1st

Shelter of its kind

AKASA runs Sri Lanka’s first shelter for women with disabilities, set up together with the Government and UNFPA.

Showcase

Check out our latest projects

Join a community of more than 2,000 members

Contact us
news hub

Check out our latest News

Participants working in small groups at round tables during a project workshop
A woman in a wheelchair lighting the oil lamp at a project event
A man in a wheelchair lighting the traditional oil lamp at a project event
Women in the garden outside the AKASA Safe Home
Residents of the AKASA Safe Home dressed in white for a religious observance
Residents of the AKASA Safe Home sitting on the floor in prayer
Residents of the AKASA Safe Home sharing a meal at the table
Residents of the AKASA Safe Home, including a wheelchair user, doing morning exercises
A student making cement flower pots at the AKASA Vocational Training School
A student planting in a pot at the AKASA Vocational Training School
Students preparing plant beds outside the AKASA Vocational Training School
Students working in the vegetable field at the AKASA Vocational Training School
A student weaving a handicraft at the AKASA Vocational Training School
Students using sewing machines in the tailoring class at the AKASA Vocational Training School
Women with disabilities tending vegetable beds at the AKASA Vocational Training School
Large group photo of participants at the project event
Group photo of participants, including wheelchair users, outside the venue
Members of the AKASA youth and parents' associations making Vesak lanterns
Young people building Vesak lanterns for the AKASA fundraiser
AKASA youth members working together on Vesak lanterns
A group of women and girls standing along a veranda railing above a garden of yellow flowers, one of them in a wheelchair