Event: National Workshop: Understanding Disability – Towards a Praxis of Inclusion
Organised by: Centre for Disability Research and Training at Kirori Mal College in collaboration with Sophia College for Women, and Dr. Bhunabhen Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science
Date: 1st & 2nd February, 2024
Venue: Sophia College for Women, Mumbai
The two-day national workshop, “Understanding Disability – Towards a Praxis of Inclusion,” held at Sophia College for Women in Mumbai, was a collaborative effort between the Centre for Disability Research and Training at Kirori Mal College, Sophia College for Women, and Dr. Bhunabhen Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science. The workshop aimed to explore disability from various perspectives and promote inclusion in academia and society.
Day 1:
The workshop commenced with an inaugural session on 1st February 2024 at 9:00 AM in the Convention Centre of Sophia College by Mr. Someshwar Sati, along with Prof. Dr. Mala Pandurang, Principal of Dr. BMN College, Dr. Anagha Tendulkar, Principal of Sophia College for Women, and Ms. Nandini Ghosh. The session focused on the collaborative nature of the workshop and its intersectionality with English Literature and Sociology. Dr. Sati outlined the workshop’s goals and challenges, emphasising the importance of disability studies in academia. His talk on disability as a socio-cultural phenomenon, accompanied by an insightful analysis of H.G Wells’ short story “The Country of The Blind.”
The subsequent sessions delved into various aspects of disability, including a sensitization workshop on disability hosted by Krishna Warrier from Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC). The workshop included a stimulating activity where participants experienced blindness for twenty minutes, gaining practical knowledge and empathy for individuals with disabilities.
Through the discussion on “Stereotypes and the Simplification of Disability” by Dr. Someshwar Sati and Dr. Nandini Ghosh, participants analysed movies to discuss the representation of disabilities in media, highlighting the need to address stereotypes and their impact on societal perceptions. They also discussed the representation of disability in literature, emphasising the need to challenge societal narratives through the voices of individuals with lived experiences.
Day 2:
The workshop continued with sessions that explored the representation of disability in literature, gendering disability, inclusive education, capacity building, skill development, and employment for people with disabilities. Dr. Sati and Dr. Ghosh conducted a group activity where participants discussed disability-free solutions for various situations, promoting a deeper understanding of disability from a social perspective.
Engaging lectures and discussions by Dr. Ghosh and Dr. Bhan delved into the intersectionality of gender and disability, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by disabled women, and inclusive education, advocating for integrated classrooms to promote diversity and inclusion.
The workshop concluded with Dr. Sati expressing his satisfaction with the successful completion of the two-day event, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and empathy in understanding disability. The workshop not only fostered knowledge but also ignited a passion for inclusivity among the participants, paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible society.
In conclusion, the ‘Understanding Disability- Towards a Praxis of Inclusion’ workshop was a resounding success, bringing together academia, students, and experts to promote inclusivity and empathy for people with disabilities. The event underscored the role of higher education in fostering a more inclusive society, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.
Disability workshop Schedule
Understanding Disability – Towards a Praxis of Inclusion A two-day Multidisciplinary National Workshop on Disability Studies 1st-2nd February 2024
Day 1 – Convention Centre & MPH (Sophia College for Women) Campus
| Time Sessions Speaker/Resource Person | ||
| SESSION 1 | ||
| 9.00-9.45 | Inaugural Welcome Address by the Principals Outlining the workshop by coordinator CDRT | Prof. Dr. Mala Pandurang, Principal, Dr. BMN College of Home Science (Autonomous) & Dr. Anagha Tendulkar, Principal, Sophia College for Women (Autonomous) Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati Faculty of English, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Chairperson, Indian Disability Studies Collective & Coordinator, Centre for Disability and Research Training, Kirori Mal College |
| 9.45-10.45 | Decoding Disability and Disability Studies Breaking the Ableist Barrier: the Unfinished Agenda of Disability Studies | Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati Faculty of English, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Chairperson, Indian Disability Studies Collective & Coordinator, Centre for Disability and Research Training, Kirori Mal College |
| 10.45-11.00 | Tea | |
| SESSION 2 | ||
| 11.00-12.30 | Sensitisation Workshop on Disability Antarchakshu — the Eye Within | Mr. Krishna Warrier Lead Consultant, Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged |
| 12.30-1.30 | Conceptualising Models of Disability Disability as Stigma and Oppression: Theoretical Frames | Dr. Nandini Ghosh Faculty of Sociology Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata |
| 1.30-2.00 | Lunch | |
| SESSION 3 | ||
| 2.00-3.00 | Disability, Literature and Culture Reclaiming Rejected Bodies: the Objectification of Disability in Literature and Culture | Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati Faculty of English, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Chairperson, Indian Disability Studies Collective & Coordinator, Centre for Disability and Research Training, Kirori Mal College |
| 3.00-4.00 | Group Activity Ableism Unmasked: Exploring and Exploding Disability Stereotypes | Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati Dr. Nandini Ghosh |
| 4.00-4.15 | Tea | |
| 4.15-5.00 | Disability and Human Development: Disability and Development in India | Dr. Nandini Ghosh Faculty of Sociology Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata |
Day 2 – AV Hall and MPH (Sophia College for Women) Campus
| Time Sessions Speaker/Resource Person | ||
| SESSION 1 | ||
| 9.00-10.00 | Intersectionality Gendering Disability | Dr. Nandini Ghosh Faculty of Sociology Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata |
| 10.00-11.15 | Education and Disability – Panel Inclusive Education: Concept, Challenges and the Way Forward Inclusive Higher Education: Possibilities that Need Realization | Prof. Dr. Sujata Bhan Head of the Department of Special Education SNDT Women’s University Ms. Neha Trivedi Inclusion and Accessibility Consultant/Founder, Spandan |
| 11.15 – 11.30 | Tea | |
| SESSION 2 | ||
| 11.30 – 12.45 | Capacity Building, Skill Development and Employment – Panel Revitalizing Skill Development and a Disability Inclusive Environment: the Way Forward Customizing Employment: Crafting Careers for Persons with Disability | Ms. Chitra Laxman Honorary Director Vidya Vardhini Foundation Trust Ms. Ketki Sanghavi Yash Charitable Trust |
| 1.00-1.30 | Lunch | |
| SESSION 3 | ||
| 1.30-2.30 | Group Activity A Little Inclusion is Dangerous: Shaping Conversations around Disability | Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati Dr. Nandini Ghosh |
| 2.30 – 3.30 | Disability, Accessibility and Design Breaking Barriers: Exploring Accessibility. Rights, Law and the Geography of Space | Mr. Nilesh Singit Member of Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility |
| 3.30 – 4.30 | Including People with Disability in Everyday Life Creating a “Better World” for a “Better Me”: My Role in Inclusion | Ms. Ritika Sahni Disability Advocate and Founder Trustee of NGO Trinayani |
| 4.30-4.45 | Tea | |
| 4.45 – 5.15 | Valedictory Session Rethinking Disability: Looking Back and Planning Ahead Vote of Thanks | Prof. Dr. Someshwar Sati |
