19.11.2016
Hiring disabled will drive innovation: Deaf-blind leader
Haben Girma, a universally acclaimed deaf-blind accessibility leader, doesn't want to be termed an "inspiration". "I find the word alienating. We are all the same and we can learn from one another," says the White House 'Champion of Change', a Forbes 30 Under 30 leader and BBC Women of Africa Hero.
Brushing aside any mention of the challenges of growing up with a disability, Girma claims that disabled people are never the problem in any situation. "I am fully in control of all of my faculties, my life and my future. We are not the problem. All the barriers that exist are because of the community. When organizations and buildings don't make an effort to make themselves and their services accessible to people with disabilities, they fail to see the value we add to society," she said.
Girma, who is in India for the first time, explains it is important to create communities that value diversity and inclusion. "Unfortunately, most companies don't understand accessibility," she says, adding that accessibility drives revenue, a point she tries to communicate through her work.
She offers accessibility and diversity training as well as professional speaking services. She recently spoke to nearly 4,000 Apple employees about the link between disability and innovation. "Most companies still consider accessibility as charity. They should realize that making inclusion a priority will prevent them from excluding a large part of the consumer base," she said. Hiring people with disabilities will drive innovation, she added. Girma is the first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law School.
Meet the girl whose feet are her hands
For Damini Sen, who grew up in Birgaon, Raipur, life was a struggle right from the start. Born without arms, she had to learn to make optimal use of her legs.
"When my mother wanted to enrol me into school, no one was willing to give me admission. They thought I couldn't fit in with the other children. Even Maana, a special school for the differently abled, did not admit me. Thankfully, a small school near my house accommodated me," she explains.
While the other children were aloof in the beginning, they soon realized Damini wasn't that different. Damini soon had a close circle of friends. Today, she is a first-year student of BSc computer science with a deep fascination for mathematics.
With her parents' support, Damini has overcome every hurdle. Along with three other siblings, they raised Damini believing she was no different from them. Her father, in particular, stressed on the importance of education, while her mother devoted herself to teaching Damini how to use her other limbs.
"I only went to school to sit in my seat. My mother taught me everything," says Damini, who has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for making 38 paintings with her toes in one hour. Having noticed her tendency to copy pictures from newspapers with a pencil, Damini's mother encouraged her to take it more seriously at the age of five.
The girl met Prime Minster Narendra Modi in January last year, who was impressed by her skills. "He told me my handwriting was better than his," said an elated Damini.
Hiring disabled will drive innovation: Deaf-blind leader
Haben Girma, a universally acclaimed deaf-blind accessibility leader, doesn't want to be termed an "inspiration". "I find the word alienating. We are all the same and we can learn from one another," says the White House 'Champion of Change', a Forbes 30 Under 30 leader and BBC Women of Africa Hero.
Brushing aside any mention of the challenges of growing up with a disability, Girma claims that disabled people are never the problem in any situation. "I am fully in control of all of my faculties, my life and my future. We are not the problem. All the barriers that exist are because of the community. When organizations and buildings don't make an effort to make themselves and their services accessible to people with disabilities, they fail to see the value we add to society," she said.
Girma, who is in India for the first time, explains it is important to create communities that value diversity and inclusion. "Unfortunately, most companies don't understand accessibility," she says, adding that accessibility drives revenue, a point she tries to communicate through her work.
She offers accessibility and diversity training as well as professional speaking services. She recently spoke to nearly 4,000 Apple employees about the link between disability and innovation. "Most companies still consider accessibility as charity. They should realize that making inclusion a priority will prevent them from excluding a large part of the consumer base," she said. Hiring people with disabilities will drive innovation, she added. Girma is the first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law School.
Meet the girl whose feet are her hands
For Damini Sen, who grew up in Birgaon, Raipur, life was a struggle right from the start. Born without arms, she had to learn to make optimal use of her legs.
"When my mother wanted to enrol me into school, no one was willing to give me admission. They thought I couldn't fit in with the other children. Even Maana, a special school for the differently abled, did not admit me. Thankfully, a small school near my house accommodated me," she explains.
While the other children were aloof in the beginning, they soon realized Damini wasn't that different. Damini soon had a close circle of friends. Today, she is a first-year student of BSc computer science with a deep fascination for mathematics.
With her parents' support, Damini has overcome every hurdle. Along with three other siblings, they raised Damini believing she was no different from them. Her father, in particular, stressed on the importance of education, while her mother devoted herself to teaching Damini how to use her other limbs.
"I only went to school to sit in my seat. My mother taught me everything," says Damini, who has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for making 38 paintings with her toes in one hour. Having noticed her tendency to copy pictures from newspapers with a pencil, Damini's mother encouraged her to take it more seriously at the age of five.
The girl met Prime Minster Narendra Modi in January last year, who was impressed by her skills. "He told me my handwriting was better than his," said an elated Damini.
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