Inclusiv'e Voices with Nupur Joshi

Meet Nupur Joshi, an inclusion executive at Tata AIG, hailing from the suburbs of Thane, Maharashtra. She is in her early 20s and a person with blindness. Nupur holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from St. Xavier's College in Mumbai and a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai.

Nupur enjoys singing and cooking as hobbies. Her interests also extend to reading about the diverse experiences of people from various walks of life. On her Instagram platform, Nupur manages a series called "Satrangi Kisse," where she highlights the daily experiences of people with disabilities, raising awareness through their personal stories. She also has a strong passion for working with transgender individuals.

In addition to her professional role, Nupur operates her own podcast titled "Bol Baby Bol." Through her podcast, she aims to shed light on the untold experiences of everyday individuals whom we often encounter but rarely interact with, such as delivery workers, vendors, drivers, maids, and many others. Nupur is actively recording episodes for her podcast to share these stories with a broader audience.

When Nupur ventures out each day, she engages in numerous conversations with people. Some individuals approach her on the road, in shopping malls, or elsewhere, inquiring about her disability. While she understands their curiosity, there are moments when she feels frustrated by these unsolicited interruptions. However, Nupur has recently chosen to initiate conversations with these individuals, taking the opportunity to educate them about her life with a disability. She shares her experiences of going to work, using mobile phones and laptops, and utilizing assistive tools for support. In return, many of these individuals reciprocate by sharing their own experiences or stories of acquaintances with disabilities. Whenever possible, Nupur provides information about local organizations that offer support.

Occasionally, Nupur is disheartened by the prevailing lack of awareness in society regarding disabilities. Nevertheless, when she takes small steps to educate people through these conversations, she recognizes her role in promoting disability awareness. Nupur understands that people, after conversing with her, come to realize that her disability is just one facet of her life, and she is more than her disability. Rather than interpreting expressions like "I am inspired by you" as mere sympathy, she views them as acknowledgment of the positive impact she has made through her dialogues.

Within her workplace, Nupur has encountered situations where some individuals are hesitant to hire candidates with disabilities. To address this issue, she states, "I ensure that through my conversations with them, they become aware of the various assistive tools that people with disabilities use for work and what they can bring to the organization. I have many experiences and can share ten different stories, and I am happy to do so," to raise awareness and promote understanding. She takes pride in this contribution to making the world more inclusive.

Nupur's perspective on Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodation:

Nupur emphasises that accessibility involves creating spaces where individuals can navigate with ease. She defines accessibility as encompassing physical, social, and digital aspects, all contributing to a more welcoming and accommodating environment for individuals with disabilities. While she primarily relies on digital accessibility due to her visual impairment, she uses a white cane for physical navigation and benefits from verbal descriptions of her surroundings. Her accessibility needs revolve around digital accessibility, where screen reader software plays a crucial role in her daily life. This technology empowers Nupur to work, communicate, and access information online, ensuring that digital barriers do not impede her progress or limit her opportunities.

Nupur also provides her understanding of reasonable accommodations, describing them as assistive tools and devices that organisations provide to individuals with disabilities based on their specific needs. She underscores that reasonable accommodations are a fundamental requirement to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in any environment. Currently, Nupur's workplace is in the process of addressing this crucial aspect of inclusivity. Although they have not yet fully implemented the necessary accommodations, they are actively working towards it. Some of the accommodations she envisions include Braille displays and audio assistance in elevators, as well as Braille signage on meeting rooms. These accommodations are not mere luxuries but essential tools that can significantly enhance accessibility and usability for individuals with visual disabilities.

Nupur's personal and professional contributions make a significant impact on promoting understanding and acceptance, ultimately striving for a society where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has equal opportunities.

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