Welcome to the third edition of the IDPD Blog hop (3rd – 20th December 2024) hosted by me – aka TripleAmommy! As you may already know, this initiative started as a small idea born out of my passion for fostering dialogue on disability inclusion. It has since grown into a vibrant platform where voices from all over converge to share insights, experiences, and reflections on what inclusion truly means. This year I am proud to have more than 30 bloggers and advocates come together to share their voices through this Blog Hop. Each with their own experience and perspective. We have a mix of bloggers, influencers, People with Disabilities (PwD), Caregivers (such as myself), people who work with PwD, disability advocates and those who support the cause. Through their words, they will explore the nuances of disability inclusion: the triumphs, the setbacks, and the ongoing efforts to create a more equitable future.

December 3rd marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. For me, this day holds deep personal significance—it’s not just a day of awareness but a call to action, a moment to pause, reflect, and push forward toward a more inclusive world.

Anvay’s diagnosis changed my life, our lives in many ways. This blog was born out of my desire to share his story and now I want to share others too. So this initiative is incredibly close to my heart. It stems from a place of love, advocacy, and a desire to amplify voices that often go unheard. Disability inclusion isn’t just a concept—it’s a daily commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully.

I invite you to join us on this incredible journey. Over the next few days, just like the last two years, this platform will come alive with stories that inspire, provoke thought, and challenge the status quo. Whether you are deeply involved in disability advocacy or simply curious about what inclusion looks like, there is something here for you.

Stay tuned as we celebrate the power of words and the strength of community. I will share each day the writings of our participants. Together, let’s continue the conversation on disability inclusion—not just today, but every day. Let’s commit to being part of the change we wish to see.

Here’s to a successful third edition of the Disability Inclusion Blog Hop—and to the voices that will lead the way.

Day 1. December 3, 2024. Two bloggers share their perspectives on caregiving and caregivers – the tough challenges they go through and their resilience. Read their posts here.

Blogger Sakshi Varma, a caregiver herself, delves deep into the challenges that caregivers face on a daily basis and offers suggestions on how we can care for them and show support. Read her post here.

Dr. Aparna’s post highlights the struggles of caregivers of special needs children as shared in the book Not Before You by Lata Gwalani. It explores the emotional and societal challenges faced by parents like Jaya, urging compassion, support, and better care systems. The narrative calls for empathy and inclusion, emphasizing the hidden burdens caregivers bear. Read her post here.

Day 2. December 4, 2024. Today’s posts explore the impact of words and attitudes on shaping perceptions—one about mental health and the other about disability. Together, they challenge stereotypes and highlight how thoughtful language and actions can foster empathy and inclusivity.

Monidipa emphasizes the power of words in shaping mental health conversations, urging us to avoid harmful labels and use respectful, people-first language. This approach breaks stigma, fosters understanding, and supports those on their mental health journey. Read her post here.

Through her own journey, Leha challenges misconceptions about disability, showing how love, travel, work, and joy are all part of her rich and fulfilling life. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the boundless possibilities that come from embracing life fully, no matter the challenges. Read her story here.

Day 3. December 5, 2024. Today’s posts reveal society’s lack of empathy toward disabilities—Shanno’s struggles with polio and Smita’s challenges as a mother of an autistic child. They highlight the pressing need for compassion, understanding, and an inclusive society.

Preeti shares how meeting Shanno, a girl with polio, deeply shaped her views on disability and inequality. Shanno’s vibrant spirit, despite societal barriers, highlighted the need for inclusion and equal opportunity, inspiring the Preeti’s commitment to advocating for dignity and respect for all. Read her post here.

Shabana shares Smita’s story, a mother navigating life with her autistic son, Sanchay. A mall incident highlights the lack of societal empathy, sparking a call for inclusivity, understanding, and kindness toward neurodiverse children and their families. Read her post here.

Day 4. December 6, 2024. Today’s posts emphasize the struggles of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, highlighting societal exclusion and the need for support. Whether addressing bullying in childhood or accessibility challenges for elders, both advocate for empathy, safe spaces, and inclusive environments to improve quality of life.

Medha shares how childhood bullying and a lack of inclusion deeply impacted her as a child with a disability. She stresses the importance of safe spaces and greater school sensitivity to foster empathy, prevent bullying, and support emotional expression. Read her post here.

Jaya shares how her mother’s hip injury opened her eyes to challenges in caregiving and accessibility. She calls for better elder support, inclusive public spaces, and proactive care for India’s aging, often disabled, population.

Day 5. December 7, 2024. Today’s stories emphasize the importance of understanding and empathy for differently-abled individuals. One reflects early exposure to people with disabilities, while the other is a journey of accepting a son’s Tourette Syndrome diagnosis. In both, the message is clear: disabilities don’t define a person—respect, support, and inclusion do.

Through his post, Tomichan shares his childhood influences and argues that disability doesn’t strip a person of their passions or potential. Whether physical or mental, what matters most is patience, understanding, and treating everyone with dignity and respect. Read his post here.

In her post, Janaki shares the story of her son’s Tourette Syndrome diagnosis and her journey from denial to acceptance. In a country with limited awareness, she advocates for empathy and inclusiveness for children with special needs and their families. Read her post here.

Day 6. December 8, 2024. Today’s posts highlight the pain of neglect and exclusion faced by individuals with disabilities. One reflects on a family member lost to ignorance, while the other calls for a shift in mindset and policies for true inclusion. Together, they evoke a deep sense of empathy, urging us to create a world where everyone is seen, valued, and supported.

Reubenna shares the story of Lali Masi, a relative with disabilities who faced neglect and eventually went missing, symbolizing the plight of many marginalized individuals. She emphasizes the need for awareness and inclusion to prevent others from becoming “lost” like her. Read her post here.

In his post, Sreevas highlights that true privilege includes access and dignity, often denied to persons with disabilities. He calls for shifting societal attitudes and policies to ensure inclusion is a way of life, urging collective action to build a more equitable world for all. Read his post here.

Day 7. December 9, 2024 Today, both bloggers emphasize the importance of attentiveness and care towards individuals who may struggle to express their needs. The first highlights the neglect faced by children with special needs due to societal biases, urging society to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. Similarly, the second recounts the personal consequences of her parents overlooking her vision problems, underscoring the need for parents to listen closely and act with care.

Nirmala shares her childhood experience of struggling with undiagnosed vision problems, as her complaints were dismissed by her parents. She emphasizes the importance of listening to children and addressing their concerns promptly. In today’s fast-paced world, she urges parents to stay attentive and engaged in their children’s lives to support their growth and well-being. Read her post here.

In her post, Sindhura highlights how societal attitudes towards children with special needs have evolved, from neglect in ancient times to growing inclusion after the Industrial Revolution. She stresses the importance of integrating special education into mainstream schools, supported by a multidisciplinary approach, to help these children reach their full potential. Read her post here.

Day 8. December 10, 2024 In today’s post, Ajit highlights that India’s disabled population exceeds the entire population of countries like Qatar or Namibia, urging society to show empathy and kindness. He reminds readers that being ‘abled’ is often a matter of luck and emphasizes treating individuals with disabilities as equals, offering support, opportunities, and compassion to create a more inclusive and humane society.

Day 9. December 11, 2024. Today’s posts emphasize the importance of empathy and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. While Suchita highlights her personal journey with her hearing-impaired sister, focusing on redefining “normal” and creating safe spaces, Mayura showcases Kala Sridhar’s resilience in breaking barriers and advocating for accessibility. Both underscore the need to move beyond sympathy and actively foster environments where people with disabilities can thrive as equals.

Suchita shares her experience with her hearing-impaired sister, challenging societal notions of “normal.” She emphasizes creating inclusive spaces where disabilities are just one part of a person’s identity, highlighting the importance of empathy over pity. Read her post here.

Mayura shares an inspiring interview with Kala Sridhar, a dynamic entrepreneur and cricketer who defies stereotypes and advocates for inclusivity. She discusses overcoming challenges in leadership, accessibility, and societal perceptions, emphasizing the need for empathy, not sympathy, and creating spaces where individuals with disabilities can thrive as equal contributors to society.

Day 10. December 12, 2024 In today’s post, Sindhu highlights the need for inclusivity to empower people with disabilities and create a fairer society. By breaking barriers, fostering understanding, and providing support, inclusivity ensures dignity, stronger communities, and equal opportunities for all. Read her post here.

Day 11. December 13, 2024 In her post Tina shows how ADHD affects children and their families, sharing Anusha’s journey of raising her son with ADHD. Despite early delays and challenges like bullying and misdiagnosis, Anusha focused on therapies, a structured routine, and her son’s strengths. Her story emphasizes the need for awareness, acceptance, and ADHD-friendly educational systems. Read it here.

Day 12. December 14, 2024 Today’s posts highlight how the problem isn’t the disability itself – it is the barriers that society builds around them, as captured succinctly by Jaideep. And this is illustrated beautifully in Neerja’s story of Apurva.

Neerja beautifully captures the emotions of those who are unable to voice their thoughts. Through Apurva’s story, she shows us how we can widen the horizons of the world for those who are not able to do so themselves. Read her post here.

Jaideep reflects on the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, sharing personal insights as a caregiver and advocate. He emphasizes breaking societal barriers, amplifying authentic stories, and fostering collective responsibility to build a truly inclusive world. Read his post here.

Day 13. December 15, 2024 Today’s posts emphasize empathy, inclusion, and celebrating the strengths of persons with disabilities, but approach the topic differently. Ambika focuses on tangible accessibility challenges and systemic gaps, while Jeannine reflects on purposeful living, parenting, and fostering values like gratitude and empathy to embrace diversity. Together, they highlight the importance of both practical action and mindset shifts.

In her post, Ambika reflects on the importance of accessibility in public spaces through a thoughtful conversation with wheelchair user Leha Divakar – also a participant of this blog hop. Living with paraplegia for 14 years, Leha shares her journey of adapting to a wheelchair, the struggles with limited accessible facilities in India, and the inclusive experiences she encountered abroad in places like Dubai and Japan. Read her post here.

Jeannine reflects on how living with purpose has transformed her perspective, teaching her to appreciate diversity and celebrate the unique strengths of others, including persons with disabilities. Drawing inspiration from her children and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, she emphasizes empathy, inclusion, and the beauty of meaningful connections. Read her post here.

Day 14. December 16, 2024 Today’s posts highlight the importance of challenging societal perceptions and embracing inclusivity. While one focuses on the need to celebrate disability-focused events for raising awareness and advocating for equality, the other emphasizes the mindset shift required to see persons with disabilities as equals, not defined by their impairments.

In her post, Charu states that celebrating special days dedicated to the disability sector is more than just raising awareness—it’s about fostering inclusivity, challenging stereotypes, and recognizing the talents and achievements of individuals with disabilities. These observances encourage us to reflect on how we can create a more supportive and inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Read her post here.

Abhimanyu shares his eye opening experience of providing commentary for a blind cricket match, which helped him see beyond disabilities and understand the importance of acceptance. He reflects on how society often views persons with disabilities as “different” and stresses the need for a shift towards inclusivity and equality. Read his post here.

Day 15. December 17, 2024 Today’s post is by Shruti Pushkarna. She highlights how films like Campeones and Next Goal Wins showcase the power of inclusive storytelling to challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity. Drawing from her experience documenting the Indian Blind Cricket Team, she emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in shifting perceptions of ability. She urges Indian media to move beyond stereotypes and embrace more empowering narratives of diversity. Read her post here.

Day 16. December 18, 2024 Today’s post is by Ujjwal who emphasizes the importance of inclusive leadership on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Despite their unique perspectives and strengths, individuals with disabilities remain underrepresented in leadership roles due to systemic barriers. She highlights the role of executive search professionals in redefining leadership, fostering equitable hiring, and advocating for accessibility to create truly transformational and diverse leadership. Read her post here.

Day 17. December 19, 2024 Today’s posts delve into the challenges of navigating life with visible or invisible disabilities, reflecting on societal perceptions and personal struggles. While one focuses on the physical and societal barriers of using a wheelchair, the other explores the complexities of mental health and neurodiversity. Both highlight resilience, the need for inclusion, and the profound impact of understanding and support in overcoming adversity.

Through her post, Ruchira highlights how accessibility often stops at token gestures, like substandard wheelchairs, rather than addressing real challenges faced by people with disabilities. Drawing from personal experiences across Dubai, Paris, and India, she emphasizes the need for thoughtful design, awareness, and compassion to move beyond superficial solutions and create true inclusion. Read her post here.

Nupur reflects on a tumultuous 15-year journey marked by mental health struggles, professional setbacks, and a longing for inclusion. After navigating depression, anxiety, and challenges in relationships and work, she finds clarity and resilience. With her mother’s unwavering support, she holds onto hope, determined to overcome her temporary disability and build a fulfilling life on her terms. Read her post here.

Day 18. December 20, 2024 In today’s post Pranoo reflects on how the architecture of our world—both physical and systemic—is designed for able bodies, reducing (dis)abled individuals to “others” who must be accommodated rather than included by default. She critiques how ableism permeates not just spaces but also language and economic structures, valorizing productivity while dismissing rest and recovery. Imagining a world where systems prioritize well-being over ableist ideals, she envisions a society shaped by its diverse bodies, not just its “strongest.” Read her post here.

Day 19. December 21, 2024 In today’s post, Sachin reflects on his journey with his 15-year-old son, Shlok, who has Down’s syndrome, describing how accepting him became his IKIGAI and transformed his life. He contrasts structured inclusion in the West with the empathy-driven support in India, sharing both challenges and heartwarming stories of NGOs and individuals helping Shlok thrive. With a belief in “doing what you can, where you are,” he remains hopeful for a more inclusive world while embracing life’s challenges. Read his post here.

Day 20. December 22, 2024 In today’s post, Indrani highlights that for individuals with disabilities, the journey towards a brighter future is ongoing, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive world. She shares Tim’s story, a person with cerebral palsy who overcame significant barriers to become a talented musician, illustrating the power of determination and support. Indrani advocates for improved accessibility, positive media representation, and the empowerment of individuals with disabilities to actively participate in decision-making, urging a shift towards a world where inclusion is the norm, not the exception. Read her post here.

Day 21. December 23, 2024 In the last post of the blog hop, Aanchal reflects on her experiences as a caregiver, shaped by her family’s example, particularly her parents’ unwavering love and support for her grandmother and father during their physical challenges. She recounts how these formative years influenced her own caregiving journey, particularly for her wheelchair-bound parents. Despite the personal fulfillment, the writer emphasizes the systemic lack of support for the disabled in society, from inaccessible infrastructure to societal indifference, advocating for true inclusion and compassion towards individuals with disabilities. Read her post here.

With this, we come to the end of a 3 week IDPD 2024 blog hop, a platform that helped 30+ voices raise the flag of disability inclusion. The bloggers came together to share their personal lived experiences and thoughts, hoping to contribute to a more empathetic and inclusive society.

Please read these voices and share them widely, to touch more and more people with our message.

_______________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading this post. Please like, comment and share!

Regards, Sakshi aka tripleamommy
You can find me at:
Blog: https://tripleamommy.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tripleamommmy

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tripleamommmy/ 

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Tripleamommy-2101887313189940
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/tripleamommmy/

Do consider buying my book “Raising Capable Children” that shares hundreds of tips and ideas on bringing up confident children. See below for buying options.

India – Amazon: https://amzn.to/3j3QSrx ; Flipkart: https://www.flipkart.com/raising-capable-children/p/itm2134c13e7108f?pid=9789390267033

For US and UK- https://www.amazon.com/dp/939026703X ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/939026703X