PEAKLIFE

An initiative introduced by NGO VARIJA LIFE, the National Ability Summit 2nd Edition will be held on the 2nd and 3rd December 2021 on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons. With global experts from over 20 countries, it is the first time that disability conversations will encompass such a widespread horizon.

National Ability Summit is a platform for world leaders from government bodies, educational institutions, health institutions, private and public sectors to share their learning curve and collectively draw a 360-degree approach to address physical and mental health for the global community at large.

A virtual international conference for disability awareness in order to stir up action for an inclusive global society, the 2nd edition of the Summit shall witness 70+ speakers from over 20 countries LIVE on social media, spanning over two days, 2nd and 3rd December, on the occasion of International Day for Disability.

The summit will address various issues pertaining to Employment and Human Resource for People with Disabilities (PWD), Investments in The Disability Sector, Digital Accessibility, Disability Journalism, Media Inclusion, Entertainment, Sports for People with Disability, Accessible Transport, Accessible Tourism, Inclusive Living, After Care Homes and Community Based Rehabilitation, Power of Identity, Disability Policy, Inclusive Education and Mental Health to name a few.

Varija Bajaj, Convenor NAS and Founder Varija Life says, “This year’s theme is inspired by UN’s sustainable development goal ‘Leave no one behind (LNOB)’. Our conversation focus at NAS will be how to eradicate barriers for people to access services, resources and equal opportunities, people with disabilities in particular.”

Dr. Nimesh G Desai, Director, IHBAS resonated on the urgent need of community support and will be moderating sessions addressing Mental Health, After Care Homes and Community Based Rehabilitation at the summit. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder, BarrierBreak and 247 Accessible Documents and Newz Hook (INDIA) will be steering sessions on digital accessibility and its imperative need post covid. Keely Cat-Wells, CEO, C Talent from USA and Nikki Hind, Australian 1st Blind Fashion Designer from AUSTRALIA will be moderating sessions on inclusive entertainment and journalism respectively.

Some other global experts at the summit will be Jennison Asuncion – Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism, LinkedIn and Co-Founder, GAAD Foundation. (USA); Patrick Stolpmann – Head of Technology and Transformation – International Paralympic Committee (GERMANY); Richard Morton – Head of Accessibility for Government – Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) (UK); Athira Menon – Head of Public Policy – South India and Sri Lanka – Uber (INDIA); Dr.Achal Bhagat – Senior Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychologist – Apollo Hospitals Delhi (INDIA); Ramez Maher – Co-founder and Managing Director – Helm Foundation (EGYPT) and many more.

As Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Global Accessibility, Twitter (USA) had emphasized, “Accessibility is everybody’s job!”