Every parent dream of seeing their child shine and that dream doesn’t come with conditions. For parents of children with disabilities, pride isn’t just in achievements, but in watching their children redefine what society once thought was “different.” We spoke to the parents of our artists about the moments that made their hearts swell with pride and their answers will give you goosebumps. | Kabir has autism, but I’ve never let that define him, even when the world wanted to put a label on him. There are countless moments when Kabir makes me proud through his empathy, his thoughtfulness, his brilliant mind. But one memory will always stand above the rest; his first solo art exhibition in Delhi, 2023. Watching people walk through his world that he painted with emotion, depth, and imagination was nothing short of magical. His way of seeing life is different. He notices the things I miss, feels the moments I rush past, and teaches me every day what it truly means to live in the present. I thought I was teaching him about the world, but in reality, he’s the one teaching me. | Living with autism, Sayan was often underestimated by relatives, friends, and society itself. There was a time when people doubted my son, but I always knew he had a quiet fire in him that only a mother could see. Then came that day: The day he was recognised as an AFI Fellow 2024 at the India Inclusion Summit. I still remember the pride that swelled in our hearts as he stood there, one of the youngest to be honoured on such a grand stage. For the world, it was just another accolade. But for us, it was a victory over every doubt, every rejection, and every underestimation. | Just like any proud parent, Rashmi’s mother couldn’t choose only one moment because her daughter had given her far too many. The first was a call from Google, inviting Rashmi for a fireside chat as one of the few hearing-impaired achievers they wanted to celebrate. I still remember holding back tears that day. Then came the moment when the school that once turned Rashmi away, saying she couldn’t fit in, invited her back as their Guest of Honour. ‘Life really is a full circle,’ she says. But the one that truly took my breath away came in March 2025, when the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities invited Rashmi to perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The same girl who was once told that Bharatanatyam wasn’t meant for “children like her” now takes the centre stage as the World’s Best Hearing-Impaired Bharatanatyam Dancer. | Behind every milestone, there’s a parent who believed when the world hesitated. These stories remind us that pride isn’t measured by trophies or titles, but by the courage to rise above doubt and rewrite what’s possible. | What are you doing this International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD)? | As we approach IDPwD, it’s the perfect opportunity to honour and empower individuals with disabilities. From engaging sessions to tailored campaigns, we can help you spark conversations, that’ll truly matter. Let’s make this IDPwD memorable, not just for your organization, but for every teammate. Explore what leading companies have done in previous years on our dedicated IDPwD page, or write to us to co-create something fresh and meaningful. | Chandigarh UT asks schools for support to make education disability-inclusive | The Chandigarh administration has rolled out a detailed policy for children with disabilities across neighbourhood schools, both government and private. It mandates free education till age 18 for children with benchmark disabilities, inclusive admission, curriculum adaptations, special educator appointments, barrier‐free facilities, and regular monitoring through dedicated committees and grievance panels. (Source: TOI) | Schools cannot refuse admission to children with disabilities | The Haryana education department has issued updated inclusive‐education guidelines mandating that both government and private schools cannot deny admission to children with disabilities. The move follows a longstanding legal case and clarifies obligations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Schools must now provide resource rooms, assistive devices, barrier‐free access, and follow Individualised Education Plans (IEPs). (Source: TOI) | Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 40,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 450+ corporates within a short span of 4 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here. | |
