Prayaas- A young voice for inclusion and accessibility

In the modern world where progress is measured by speed and scale, I believe true growth lies in how inclusive we are of those who move differently through life. My journey toward disability inclusion began in 2023, driven by a deep interest in creating spaces and conversations that are accessible, empathetic and empowering for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). What started as simple curiosity soon became a calling and eventually, a movement called Prayaas.

The first spark for this motivation came way back in August 2023, when I had the honour of meeting Dr Uma Tuli, a PadmaShri awardee and founder of Amar Jyoti Charitable School in Delhi. I visited the school during its Independence Day celebrations and was struck by its powerful model. It is a truly inclusive environment where 50% of students have disabilities and 50% do not. There, I also met Mr Gulshan, a Guinness World Record holder and the fastest wheelchair spinner in the world. A proud alumnus of this school, he now teaches dance to other people with disabilities. Hearing his story and watching his energy on stage left an unforgettable impact on me.

Dr Tuli, with her usual warmth and vision, expressed a desire to document the journeys of students like Gulshan, not just to celebrate them, but to educate and inspire others as well. I took on the challenge, interviewed students and created written content for the school. Dr Tuli’s handwritten appreciation letter remains one of my most treasured recognitions.

In December 2023, I got the opportunity to intern with Atypical Advantage, an NGO that empowers PwDs by helping them find dignified employment opportunities. My role involved candidate profiling and building employment profiles for over 40 individuals using provided data and independent research. This experience taught me the importance of dignity through livelihood and showed how data, when humanized, has the power to transform lives.

On 3rd December 2024, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I officially launched Prayaas, a youth-led initiative to advocate for inclusion. In order to mark the occasion, I invited two incredible guests to my school:

· PadmaBhushan Shri D.R. Mehta, Chief Patron of Jaipur Foot, one of the world’s largest organizations supporting limb and mobility solutions, and

· Shri Umashankar Sharma, Rajasthan’s State Disability Commissioner

Their blessings, insights, and encouragement set the tone for what would become a growing movement. With overwhelming student interest, a 6-member core team was formed to lead Prayaas. Prayaas is the Hindi word for “an attempt”. Since its founding, Prayaas has undertaken several impactful activities:

· Industry interaction: We have hosted discussions with Jaipur’s hospitality sector to explore employment opportunities for PwDs in hotels.

· Accessibility audits: I have personally conducted accessibility analyses of several government buildings. Two departments acknowledged our work through official appreciation letters.

· Content creation: I have compiled two e-booklets:

1. Respect and Inclusion – A Young Person’s Guide to Interacting with Persons with Disabilities

2. Building for All – A Guide to Assessing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

· Workshops and outreach: I have conducted awareness workshops with students across 88 schools, introducing them to the importance of inclusion and sharing the e-booklets with every participant.

Through Prayaas, I have learned that real inclusion is about recognizing rights. It is also about asking hard questions:· Can every child enter their school independently? Are we teaching our youth how to interact respectfully with all abilities? Are we listening to the voices of those who have been excluded for too long?

I am only 16, and still learning every day. But if I have learned one thing, it is this that, change does not need age. It just needs action. If you are reading this and wondering what you can do, start where you are. Talk about inclusion. Build awareness. Make your space accessible. Join us at Prayaas. Because together, we can make the world not just better, but fairer.

For collaboration, workshops, or content access, please visit:
-www.teamprayaas.com
-arshchoudhary009@gmail.com

-teamprayaasJPIS@gmail.com
-prayaas.initiative on Instagram