A vision for inclusion

Karnataka, in the south of India, and was blind at birth as a result of retinitis pigmentosa. She has faced many challenges – including attempts to exclude her from school – because of her visual disability. In high school, Nandini made contact with the National Association for the Blind (NAB India) and local self-advocacy groups of people who are blind or visually impaired. Once she left school, Nandini was asked to become regional coordinator for the All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB). AICB is a coordinating body made up of 22 grass-roots and state-level associations or organisations working with people who are blind, and is also a member of the World Blind Union. Nandini’s remit was to promote the empowerment of women and girls who are blind or have impaired vision who, like her, faced discrimination, injustice, abuse, and violence. Nandini was later promoted to national coordinator of AICB, and her efforts resulted in policy changes to make voting in elections accessible for people with impaired vision, as well as improvements in their ability to access education and earn a living. She presented papers on related issues to international forums organised by the World Blind Union. Nandini now works with ActionAid, where she is in charge of promoting the rights of women, including those with disabilities. She writes, composes, and sings revolutionary songs to encourage women in their struggle for equity and justice. Nandini’s contact with local self-advocacy groups, NAB India, AICB and other such disabled people’s organisations, have signifi cantly contributed in shaping her attitudes, perspectives and building capacity to deal with the challenges which blind or partially sighted women and girls face in day-to-day life. Nandini says her association with these organisations has boosted her morale, provided her with exposure to a wide range of issues, and prepared her as an activist in order to initiate systematic and organised struggle. This has enabled her to address injustice and exclusion in an organised and systematic manner. DiSabLeD PeRSoNS’ oRGaNiSaTioNS