Disability inclusion is powerful – because I have seen first-hand what it can be like when there is no regard for the needs of those who are blind. I also know how much the blind community as a whole can so often be painted with such broad brushstrokes and assumptions by the rest of society, which leads to misguided exclusion and pity.
I work hard to prevent those assumptions, or lack of inclusion, from stopping me.
I was not born completely blind (although I am now), and for quite a long time no one knew the full extent of my vision loss or what condition I was dealing with, so I never actually attended a blind school. And even though it was tough being so visually impaired within a sighted school, I got to experience what it was like to be fully included, just like every other child.
I tasted that feeling of belonging, and once I had, I was never going to allow myself to settle for anything less.
Inclusion among sighted peers
I played school cricket and hockey, went on excursions, trekked mountains, swam in lakes, kayaked, and did everything that a young school boy did growing up in New Zealand – and eventually I even travelled the world as a fully blind man.
I didn’t allow myself to not be included in life – I became my own inclusion specialist, and whatever challenge I encountered, I found a way forward.
However, the more that I travelled, the more that I saw that my experience was definitely not the norm – and in many areas of the world, I saw over and over just how much is not made available to people who are blind, and just how much they are actually segregated out from the rest of society.
And in those moments, I quickly came to realize just how lucky I had been, and just how huge the true value of inclusion really was. Because I saw how different my life had become in comparison to theirs.
And whilst it saddened me, there was also a fire that came alive within me that wanted to make a difference with that, because I wanted them to also experience that inclusion for themselves. I wanted to help them feel what it was like to be a valued part of the community and come to realize just how capable they truly are.
Becoming an advocate for inclusion
And so, my organization Diyathaloka was born – to provide an environment that would offer these young people the support and mentorship and skill training that would allow for their natural skills and abilities to come alive.
Because I know first-hand that blind folks and sighted folks can work together side by side, and I intend on helping that to grow by teaching others to become their own “inclusion specialists!”
About the author
Prabath Wickramanayake, from Melbourne, Australia, is a Disability Inclusion Specialist and the Founder of Diyathaloka. He is passionate about helping to uplift and inspire others (especially those less fortunate) by sharing his experiences, knowledge and stories with the world.
You can learn more about Diyathaloka on Facebook and connect with Prabath on LinkedIn.
Prabath has contributed several #MyBlindStory posts, including Yes, Let’s Do It!, Coming Full Circle – the Gift of Mobility, and Capturing Unique Moments: Perspective from a Blind Photographer.
