NATIONAL ABILITY SUMMIT -2nd Edition - International Conference -2nd/3rd December 2021

Initiative by VARIJA LIFE

VARIJA LIFE a Not-for-Profit Organisation is conducting the 2^nd edition of NATIONAL ABILITYSUMMIT-2021, a virtual international conference for disability awareness in order to stir up action for an Inclusive Global Society.70+ speakers from over 20 countries will be LIVE on social media spanning over two days, 2^nd and 3^rd December on occasion of International Day for Disability.

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. 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. It is first time in the world that disability conversations encompass such a wide horizon with global experts from over 20 countries.

Varija Bajaj, Convenor NAS & Founder Varija Life says “This year’s theme is inspired by UN’ssustainable 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.”

“Disability inclusion is not a philosophy, or a theoretical exercise- it’s a means to ensuring participation, voice, accountability, access to services and equity for persons with disabilities.” adds Charlotte McClain -Nhlapo, Global Disability Advisor -World Bank Group (USA)

“It is critical for every organization on the planet to focus on accessibility and disability inclusion. Every school, every business, every government institution, every hospital, every non-profit organization. We must do better in making the world more accessible and inclusive for the 1.3 billion people who live with disability. The time is now.”emphasised Lori Samuels – Accessibility Director – NBC Universal Media (USA)

Dr. Grishma Shah – Co-Convener National Ability Summit, Co-Director – Chicago ReelAbilities Film Festival (USA) proudly stated“National Ability Summit has grown to become a disability think tank where people from around the world share their challenges and learning curves on disability inclusion with leaders in the disability movement. Some talks have grown into collaborations while others have taken what they learned at NAS and implemented it in their side of the world.” Emphasising on collective responsibility Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Global Accessibility -Twitter (USA) stated that“Accessibility is everybody’s job!”.

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& 247 Accessible Documents & 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.

“I’m thrilled to be a participant in this important conversation at the National Ability Summit. It’s my belief that we work better when we work together which is why I am privileged to listen to and learn from other leaders in their field so that we can all be better allies and advocates for each other and our wider disability community.”says Lisa Cox – Disability Affairs Officer – Media Diversity Australia (AUSTRALIA)

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)
Paul Deemer – Head of Diversity and Inclusion – NHS Employers (UK)
Dr.Achal Bhagat – Senior Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychologist – Apollo Hospitals Delhi (INDIA)
Tony Bennett – Head of Disability and Inclusion- The International Golf Federation &President – The European Disabled Golf Association (PORTUGAL)
Hardeep Rai – Group Chief Executive Officer – The Kaleidoscope Group of Companies (UK)
Meryl K. Evans – Accessibility Marketing Consultant –MERYL.NET(USA)
Neil Milliken – Vice President & Global Head of Accessibility – Atos (UK)
Alejandro Moledo del Río – Head of Policy European Disability Forum (BELGIUM)
Kudakwashe Dube – CEO – Africa Disability Alliance (SOUTH AFRICA)
Keely Cat- Wells – CEO – C Talent (USA)
NicNovicki – Founder& Director – Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (USA)
Neha Arora – Founder & Managing Director – Planet Abled (INDIA)
Nikki Hind – Founder – Blind Grit & Australian 1st Blind Fashion Designer (AUSTRALIA)
Debra Ruh – CEO – Ruh Global IMPACT & Executive Chair – Billion Strong (USA)
Nabil Eid – CSO – Billion Strong Organization (SYRIA)
Arman Ali – Executive Director – National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (INDIA)
Marilena Di Coste – Founder/ Disability Advocate – The Butterfly (UAE)
Manuel Di Filippo – Founder – Outreach Holidays Ltd. (ITALY)
Juan Pablo Pinto – Head of Accessibility – Wheel The World (CHILE)
Yuval Wagner – Founder & Chairman – Access Israel Org – (ISREAL)
Lalith Dedigama– Chief Operating Office / Consultant – Ceylon Expeditions Travels (Sri Lanka)
Stephane Leblois – Director of Partnerships – The Valuable 500 (USA)
Ramez Maher – Co-founder and Managing Director – Helm Foundation (EGYPT)