It was an enlightening experience for Anu (name changed), 28, when she was blindfolded and asked to emulate a visually impaired person. It made her realize the life of a visually impaired person, even if for a few minutes.
Anu identifies herself as a lesbian and has been attending such events to express solidarity with people with disability (PwD).
The Namma Pride accessibility Team along with Giftabled Foundation had organised numerous activities that day that simulated the lives of persons with disability. These activities gave most people, who gathered there, an opportunity to educate themselves and know more about the pains, struggles and joys of being a person with disability .
“I know how it feels to be visually impaired as I have limited visibility. This event gave me an opportunity to meet and interact with people like me. At the same time I enjoyed learning braille and sign language,” said Sonali, an ally, who has limited visibility since birth.
“I have developed much respect for people with disability as they go through a lot of struggle and pain. Through these activities I could literally empathise with people with disabilities,” said Sarah (name changed), 26, who identifies herself as an asexual.
Some believe that people with disabilities are somewhat neglected. They are marginalised in India just like the queer community.
“I realised how hard life is for persons with disability and participating in such activities organised by GiftAbled and Namma Pride brought me real close to them,” Anu added.
During the event, people crafted tactile 3D mazes and puzzles with strings, beads and colourful sponge paper. The goal was to make tactile 3D figures for the visually impaired, which can be sensed only through touch. The team also organised sessions on sign language and braille.
“I have always wanted to learn the sign language, this event gave me an opportunity to learn it. I feel it is necessary to learn such a language as it will help me to communicate with corporates who have persons with disability,” said Alister, 27, who identifies himself as bisexual and works with a social enterprise.
Besides, GiftAbled Foundation has also put in efforts to convert poems and stories into tactile 3D versions. “Visually impaired children will never have an idea about how the real world feels. Tactile library is an initiative that brings stories and rhymes to life. We are happy to be associated with Namma Pride this year,” Deekshitha noted.
With each passing year, Namma Pride Bengaluru has always been inclusive and diverse its events. “This is a great initiative by Namma Pride Bengaluru. I am looking forward to being a part of more such events in the future as I get a chance to voice my concerns and meet diverse people,” Sonali added.
“Apart from making pride and pride events accessible to persons with disabilities, this year, the team wanted to go one step further and have a unique event where members of the queer community can learn and contribute in some way, and vice-versa. This is an attempt at intersectionality. We also have people who are both queer and disabled (or ageing). It was rewarding to see the attendees learn and also have fun. Hopefully, such efforts will help create a more accepting, accessible and inclusive world for everyone” said Ritesh a co-organizer of this event.
In 2016, Namma Pride Bengaluru held its first disability-friendly march. The organisers had arranged for a sign interpreter and had collaborated with KickStart cabs — a cab service specifically for wheel chair users and senior citizens — which made commuting easy for people with disability. The initiative was a great start and indeed successful.
The accessibility team has created videos to educate both the communities about the world of the other. Contiuning last year’s committment, Namma Pride 2017 continues to be accesssible to persons with disabilities.
If you require more information about this endaveor or require assistance to participate in Namma Pride 2017, please reach out to nammapride.accesibility2017@gmail.com.
