These are the practitioners, activists, self-advocates, and community workers who have shared their stories on this platform. Each name represents someone doing real work on the ground. Your name could be next.
South Asia — India
Deepak Kumar — DPO Leader, Viklang Adhikar Manch, Bihar
Leads one of India’s most active grassroots DPOs. Organises mass marriages for disabled couples, voter awareness campaigns, food distribution during lockdown, accessible tourism audits, and protests against police violence. Writes in Hindi. 20+ stories published.
Stories: DPO Protests Police Violence · Vaishnavi Making Masks · Accessible Tourism Campaign · and 15+ more posts in Hindi
Varadan Bhoopathy — Disability Rights Activist, December 3 Movement, Tamil Nadu
Left his corporate job at Wipro to become a full-time disability activist. State Treasurer of December 3 Movement, a federated DPO with over 3 lakh members across 21 districts. Writes in Tamil and English. 6+ stories published.
Stories: Statewide Siege Protest · D3M Protest Success Nilakottai · Kallakurichi DPO Office Opening · White Canes Distribution Karur · and more
Aishwarya Pillai — Rehabilitation Counselor, Blind Filmmaker, Artist
Accessibility advocate with over 13 years of experience. Works at LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. Travels solo across India and internationally, documenting accessibility barriers and infrastructure.
Stories: The Power of Inclusive Infrastructure
Preethi Srinivasan — Disability Rights Activist
Paralysed below the neck. Writes using speech-activated software. May be the first woman with a 90% disability to gain admission to IIT. Fought for accessible examinations in higher education.
Stories: Accessible Examinations in Higher Education
Suman Gayen — Disability Rights Activist
Totally blind. Documented his 40-hour solo train journey from Bangalore to West Bengal — a practical guide for visually impaired travellers and a statement about independence.
Stories: Train Journey of a Visually Impaired Person
Chandan Kumar Singh — PwD Community Journalist, Jharkhand
Community journalist focused on disability rights in Jharkhand.
Pragati Khadse — Contributor (India)
Contributor to the Disability Rights Repository from India.
Central Africa
Jacques Balolage — Deaf Community Leader, Democratic Republic of Congo
Deaf leader and advocate from Goma, North Kivu. Executive Director of Equal Access Innovators, reaching 1,500+ Deaf and disabled people. National Coordinator of Rise for Impact DRC, supporting 500+ young leaders across Central and East Africa. First Deaf student to graduate from his secondary school class. Advocates for sign language rights, inclusive education, and disability inclusion in conflict-affected settings.
Stories: I Wrote My Thesis Defense on the Blackboard — My Voice Is in Sign Language
East Africa
Sharon Aluoch — Disability Advocate (Kenya)
Living with paralysis and epilepsy since childhood. Completed her studies despite bullying and stigma. Now pursues Counseling Psychology and advocates for persons with disabilities.
Stories: Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior
Vallent Rachel — Founder, Geno Epilepsy Center (Kenya)
Diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager. Founded a CBO in Migori County and established the county’s first monthly epilepsy clinic.
Stories: My Journey With Epilepsy
Ojijo Mbai Odhiambo — Epilepsy Advocate (Kenya)
Diagnosed with epilepsy at 6 months old. Now 25, pursuing higher education despite frequent seizures.
Stories: Ojijo’s Epilepsy Journey
Chantal Kanyabutembo — Co-Founder, GECO Rwanda
Lived with epilepsy for 16 years. Founded GECO Rwanda, influencing the Ministry of Health to provide free anti-epileptic drugs nationally.
Stories: My Courage Brought Me to a Point Where I Founded GECO Rwanda
Julius Geofrey Okongo — NAPADEC (Uganda)
Ambassador at World Literacy Foundation and Project Manager at National Association of Parents of Deaf Children.
Stories: Interview about the Disability Rights Repository
Southern Africa
Samuel Chigamba — Epilepsy Warriors Foundation (Malawi)
Founder and Executive Director, Blantyre, Malawi. Has lived with epilepsy for over 19 years. Collects and publishes stories from epilepsy warriors across Africa. 10+ stories published.
Stories: Stripes Week / Africa Epilepsy Week · Published stories from Sharon Aluoch, Vallent Rachel, Ojijo, Aubrey Chiumia, and Chantal Kanyabutembo
Msenga Mulungu — Program Manager, Sandi Thandiza, Malawi
Program Manager at Sandi Thandiza. Previously field practitioner with Parents of Disabled Children of Malawi (PODCAM). Documents families raising children with disabilities in rural Malawi — the barriers, the costs, and the urgent need for community-based services. 4+ stories published.
Stories: PODCAM Counsels a Family · Interview with Pamela · Parents Travel 200km · Covid Impact on Families
Aubrey Chiumia — Epilepsy Warrior (Malawi)
Started experiencing seizures at age 8. Now runs a successful shop and advocates for the rights of people with epilepsy.
Stories: I Started Experiencing Seizures at 8 Years Old
Pamela Chipeka — Mother of a Child with Disability (Malawi)
A single mother in Lilongwe raising Irenaeus who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Stories: Interview with Pamela
Add Your Story to This Page
If you are a disability rights practitioner, DPO leader, self-advocate, parent, or community worker anywhere in the world — we want your story. No login needed. No academic writing expected. Write in any language.
You must be logged in to post a comment.