Event Report: Accessible Horizons – A Purple Expo Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity
Organised by: Centre for Disability Research and Training (CDRT), KMC in collaboration with Saksham and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
Date: 24th April 2024
Time: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Venue: Seminar Hall, KMC and Parking Lot
On the 24th of April 2024, the Centre for Disability Research and Training at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, in collaboration with Saksham and ONGC, organised a disability awareness and sensitisation campaign, ‘Accessible Horizons 2024’ – A Purple Expo Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity. This event underscored the significance of inclusion and diversity of individuals with disabilities. Over 20 non-governmental organisations working in the area of disability participated in this event. The expo was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr. Sujit Kumar Mishra, IRPS, Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Northern Railways; the Guest of Honour, Dr. Sushanta Chatterjee, Chief, Regulatory Affairs, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission; and Prof. Dinesh Khatter, Principal of KMC.
The programme commenced with the release of the book, Retrieving the Crip Outsider: Representation of Disability in Literature and Cinema. Following the book release, the event featured three compelling panel discussions led by distinguished political and social activists who have made significant contributions to the field of disability. These discussions aimed to address critical issues and inspire action towards greater inclusion and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
The first panel, moderated by Mr. George Abraham, CEO of Score Foundation, discussed the experiences of various NGOs and their efforts in creating an inclusive educational environment in schools and colleges across the country. The speakers in this panel were Mr. Dipendra Manocha, Managing Director of Saksham; Mr. Prateek Agarwal, Executive Director of ASTHA; Ms. Sheetal Batra, Project Manager of AADI; and Ms. Anuja Rani, Disability Inclusion Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross. The second panel, moderated by Dr. Shanti Auluck, Chairperson and Founder, Muskan – PAEPID, delved into ‘Inclusion and Employment’ and accessibility in finance and electoral processes. The speakers in this panel were Ms. Neera Chawla, Director of Muskaan – PAEPID; Ms. Swati Dokania, Director and COO of Mitti Social Initiatives; Mr. Rahul Bajaj, Chief Manager at Union Bank of India; and Mr. Jayant Singh Raghav, President of Bhumika Trust. The day concluded with a lively discussion on the role of political activism and disability studies in empowering persons with disabilities. The chair of the session, Prof. Anil Aneja, Head of the Department of English at the University of Delhi, along with the two panellists, Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, and Prof. Renu Addlakha, Professor at the Centre for Women’s Development Studies, stressed the need for disabled people to come forward as active political agents in promoting disability inclusion in society. They also underscored the urgency of introducing a disability component in every course at all levels of education.
In addition to the panel discussions, attendees of Accessible Horizons were treated to three thought provoking and mindset-transforming street play performances: “Rukawat Ke Liye Khed Hai” by AADI, “Wings of Possibilities” by Manovikas, and “Shiksha Mera Sapna” by AASTHA. These plays delved upon the daily struggles of persons with disabilities. The first highlighted the everyday ordeals of persons with disabilities in accessing public spaces. While the second provided a glimpse into the world of neurodiverse individuals, and the third highlighted the challenges faced by children with disabilities and their parents in accessing educational facilities. However, the highlight of Accessible Horizons was the 22 stalls set up across the college campus, profiling different categories of disability: blindness and low vision, orthopaedic disability, speech and hearing impairment, and neurodiversity. These stalls identified and outlined the various challenges faced by each group and showcased available customised solutions—human, technological, and vocational.
The day culminated with a grand musical performance by the Zuhaib Khan Collective, a band comprising visually impaired singers and musicians. At the completion of the event, Prof. Someshwar Sati, the Coordinator of Accessible Horizons 2024, expressed deep satisfaction with the successful hosting of the event. He hoped that in the future, similar expos would be organised by educational institutions across the country and that non-governmental organisations would come forward to support such endeavours. This, he felt, would go a long way in spreading awareness about disability and sensitising society at large. Exhibitions of this kind are undoubtedly a significant step towards establishing a truly inclusive, accessible, and disabled-friendly world.
