Praveen Kolluguri MBA’s Post

The Loneliness of Living with a Disability: Breaking Down Barriers, One Conversation at a Time #DisabilityIsLonely. It’s not an easy truth, and it’s certainly not one we often talk about. Living with a disability is an experience that goes beyond physical limitations it impacts friendships, work, and even self-worth. The loneliness that comes with being #DisabledInAnAbleistWorld is all too real, but it’s time we bring this conversation into the open. Growing up, my disability marked me as "different." Opportunities others took for granted PE, school plays, simple #ChildhoodMilestones were closed to me. Instead of encouragement, I faced silence, even avoidance, as if my potential didn’t matter. This message doesn’t fade with age; it becomes a thread through life, shaping #Friendships, #ProfessionalOpportunities, and self-confidence. As adults, those early experiences can make it difficult to feel accepted or valued. #BuildingTrust is a hurdle, especially when #Discrimination persists. Let’s be honest: we’re in 2024, and disabled people still face harmful stereotypes, from dismissive laughter to derogatory comments. Instead of assuming our potential, society often places the burden on us to prove ourselves, to “break down” barriers we didn’t put up in the first place. This reality affects our #Relationships and sense of belonging. Forming friendships is especially challenging. There’s an invisible line a barrier that makes it difficult for people to genuinely see us, beyond the disability, as individuals. For those of us living with disabilities, making friends and finding real acceptance can feel like walking through quicksand. We long for #AuthenticConnections and #RealSupport, not just #TokenInclusion. Let’s talk about #Trust. It’s hard to rely on systems, workplaces, or people when past experiences are marked by dismissal and rejection. How many of us in the disabled community have been ignored simply for existing differently? Real trust comes from consistent action, not just words. So, where do we go from here? Creating a world without this underlying loneliness requires a commitment from companies, #Media, and individuals alike to go beyond “awareness.” It’s about #AuthenticInclusion, making space at the table, and valuing our voices and talents as equals. For those reading this, I encourage you to make a change in your own life, workplace, or community. Open a conversation, challenge your own assumptions, and connect with people on a human level. By doing this, we can create an environment where no one feels isolated because of their #Disability. Let’s start breaking down the walls that lead to #DisabilityIsolation and build up a culture of #Empathy, #Inclusion, and #Belonging for everyone. Every real connection we make is a step toward a world that embraces and values #Diversity and #HumanPotential.

I spent yesterday at PurpleSpace’s Global Disability summit listening and learning from every session. There was so much food for thought that I’m still digesting it. However, below are a few insights I’m taking away from this incredible event. - It’s okay to need help to be brilliant. - When leaders choose to share their story, it amplifies normalising disability in an organisation, but also requires vulnerability from the leader. - Sharing any form of disability self I.D. Is a transaction involving trust and we need to know that this information will be used to help us thrive. - Someone’s background culture plays a big role in how they see disability which can be seen through the direct translation of the word disability. - 70% of an employee’s experience comes through their line manager. Remember to upskill them so they understand how to support people with disabilities. - We need to share our stories with positivity, joy and humanity. It’s not about toxic positivity but about being authentic and moving away from a negative purple wash. We can own our stories and show how this translates for us. - Small incremental improvements can lead to big changes. It’s also helpful to work through changes within a multidisciplinary group. - Lastly, remember to celebrate the unsung heroes and successes! PurpleSpace — thank you for hosting a wonderful event! Image description: Alt text added to image.

As #disabilitypride drew to a close I was really struck by a post Ross H. made yesterday. Ross said that he struggled with the idea of disability pride, in solidarity, so do I to an extent. I just don’t see disability that way. Let me explain why: - Candidly the reality of my life is that my wheelchair comes everywhere and to Marty (the cute one in the photo) he understands it as normal; as are my somewhat jerky movements walking on my knees. - Society also needs to normalise disability. It is not the defining characteristic of my life or identity and never will be. By pride I think what we are saying is that people should not feel stigmatised or like 2nd class citizens. Many people with a disability do. - What has defined my life has been the amazing people, experiences and opportunities. - One thing definitely drove those and that was the education and economic empowerment I had. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) changed my life, and many employers gave me a gateway into employment. - When those of you who meet me and get to know me, I hope that my love of #football, direct engagement/speed of mind, commitment to #oneteam and compassion are what comes to mind. I care not just about disability inclusion, but about inclusion for all of society. Others deserve the opportunity I had. Those which most people without a disability take for granted. We are #allhuman. I hope by the next July focus on disability The Labour Party has set the U.K. on a path to address some of the systemic issues that are holding U.K. disability back. I am happy to help.

"Disability Defies Limits: The Indomitable Spirit That Drives Dreams to Destiny" - It's #EternalECHOS "Disability doesn't define determination; dedication drives dreams to destiny." These profound words challenge us to reframe our understanding of disability - not as a limitation, but as a wellspring of unwavering determination, unshakable dedication, and boundless potential. Far too often, society sees disability through the lens of what someone cannot do. But the true power of the human spirit lies in our ability to transcend perceived constraints and redefine the boundaries of what is possible. Today, as we mark World Disability Day, let us celebrate the indomitable will of those who refuse to be defined by their challenges. It is their unyielding dedication that ignites game-changing innovations, shatters glass ceilings, and inspires us all to dream bigger. Disability is not a state of being, but a catalyst for extraordinary growth. It is the driving force that compels us to find new paths, to cultivate remarkable resilience, and to unlock our most transformative capabilities. Let us honor this day by amplifying the voices of the disability community, by dismantling ableist mindsets, and by creating a world where diversity is not just tolerated, but celebrated as the wellspring of our collective progress. Together, we have the power to rewrite the narrative - to transform disability from a perceived limitation into an boundless wellspring of possibility. What will you do to champion this vision? ♻ Repost to spread the word! 🔔 Follow Mayank Patel for more updates and initiatives. 🌐 Learn more: www.mysamvedna.org   Let’s connect and drive change: 📧 Email: samvedna2010@yahoo.in   Together, we can make a difference! Please support our mission to create a more inclusive workforce for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). We believe there should be a generation of EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL, so let’s H.O.P.E. (Host Opportunity Promote Employment) HUMANIZE Persons with Disabilities. #WorldDisabilityDay #abilityOverDisability #DiversityAndInclusion #InspirationalLeadership #BreakingBarriers

We are one week into Disability Pride month and this is my first post about it. Of course, I meant to post earlier, but here’s the thing… Disabilities are unpredictable. Someone with a chronic condition could wake up in a pain flare that throws off their whole week. A crucial doctor’s appointment can get rescheduled last-minute. Mobility devices could fail. But isn’t that true of anyone? Life is unpredictable for all of us. Maybe the 4th of July fireworks outside kept you up all night and by the time the morning came, no amount of caffeine could help you be productive. Or your flight home got cancelled. Or your alarm failed to go off in the morning. My point is, our disabilities should not be held against us. Life happens to all of us, and there’s only so much we can control. If you wouldn’t fire or reprimand someone who had to stay home because their baby was ill (and I really hope you wouldn’t!), then don’t do it if someone gets sick or a disability flares. That’s just basic human understanding. I'll have a lot more to share about disability in the weeks ahead, so stay tuned! -------------------- 💡Like what you read? I’m a People Operations leader, builder, and community connector, and I love sharing my thoughts and experiences on making work more human for everyone! Follow me, Lia Seth, PHR, for more on culture and accessibility.

July is Disability Pride Month! According to WHO, an estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. That's 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us. In today's all-staff meeting, my colleagues Alexa Friedman and Maryn Chmielewski shared a list of media recommendations that will deepen our understanding of disability experiences and perspectives. We'd love to share this list with our friends on LinkedIn. 📚 Books: 1. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong 2. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau 3. Black Disability Politics by Sami Schalk 4. The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention by Simon Baron-Cohen 5. We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia 6. Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann 7. Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions by Temple Grandin 8. What Doesn't Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness—Lessons from a Body in Revolt by Tessa Miller 9. Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden 10. Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco 🎧 Podcasts (inspired by NIEHS library) : 1. ADHD Aha! from Understood 2. Beyond 6 Seconds 3. Noncompliant: A podcast about neurodiversity 4. Playing with Marbles from Vocal Fry Studios 📺 TV & Movies (Full list found at Tilting the Lens): 1. Then Barbara Met Alan (2022) 2. Special (2019-2021) 3. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) 4. Rising Phoenix (2020) #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAwareness #AccessibilityForAll #Neurodiversity

Reflecting on UK Disability History Month 2024 Disability has long been seen as synonymous with non-employment or unemployment (I have also found this on the official website), it is a misconception that sadly continues to affect many lives. As someone with a physical disability, I know the challenges of navigating the world designed for fully able bodies. In research/academia, these challenges extend beyond the physical. A disability doesn’t just impact your body; it can profoundly affect your self-esteem and mental health, particularly in environments where "excellence" is expected as the norm. I have often felt the pressure to keep up, even when that meant hiding my condition. When I began disclosing my disability in job applications, I limited this to HR, fearing stigma or judgment. Sadly, I was discouraged from speaking openly about my condition (not by the HR!), and so, like many others, I stayed silent. This silence came at a cost. Even today, when I hear people laughing about how clumsy I seem to be, it stings because it overlooks the effort I put into ensuring that tiredness or discomfort doesn’t compromise my work (tripping while carrying important samples just as an example). But this post isn’t just about my experiences. I wanted to use the fact that I managed to gather a decent number of followers 😊 This post is about what we, as community, can do to change things. This UK Disability History Month, I want to reaffirm my commitment to being an ally/supporter/friend for others with disabilities. I want to contribute to a culture in academia and research that doesn’t just tolerate disability but actively supports and includes those of us who face challenges every day 😊 I will be seeking ways to improve opportunities for people with disabilities in our field, and I hope others will join me. If you have any ideas, please, let me know 😊 And also, this is to my colleagues and peers here, I hope we can all work to make sure that academic research allows everyone to thrive. #UKDisabilityHistoryMonth #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAwareness #AcademicSupport

Celebrating Disability Pride: Shining a Light on Inclusion ✨ Although we celebrate Disability Pride all year round, July is a special month to amplify the importance of inclusion and accessibility. Did you know that each color of the disability pride flag has a specific meaning? As we recognize the diversity of disabilities, let's break down the colors: Red: Physical disabilities - representing individuals with mobility, sensory, or other physical impairments Gold: Neurodiversity - acknowledging individuals with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities White: Invisible disabilities - honoring individuals with chronic illnesses, chronic pain, and other conditions that may not be immediately visible Blue: Emotional & Psychiatric disabilities - recognizing individuals with mental health conditions, anxiety, and depression Green: Sensory disabilities - celebrating individuals with visual, hearing, or other sensory impairments At Networks, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month by spreading awareness, breaking stigmas, and shining bright with pride! #DisabilityPride #InclusionMatters #AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityAwareness [Image Description: White background with black text and a graphic representing the disability pride flag, showing the colors red, gold, white, blue, and green. Text: "July 2024 Disability Pride Month."]

"A 2022 national research report by the Vancouver-based Disability Foundation’s Youth Leadership Initiative, found that 51% of Canadian youth (17–29) who have a disability are unemployed. That’s compared to 10.1% of young people (15–24 without disabilities. [...] For young people who have autism and or developmental disabilities the barriers are greater. They have even lower rates of both educational attainment and employment." Some important information from our friends at the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) about barriers to employment for young people with disabilities and how we can all be part of supporting #InclusiveEmployment: https://buff.ly/3wBkhFp

Disability understanding includes medical, social, and cultural dimensions. The medical model focuses on diagnosis and treatment, seeking to "cure" the individual. The social model, however, sees disability as the result of societal barriers that need to be removed. From a cultural perspective, disability views vary across communities, highlighting the role of language and representation. The concept of intersectionality recognizes that disability intersects with other identities. Disability experiences vary widely and include physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental conditions. Understanding disability involves recognizing and advocating for the rights of disabled people, promoting accessibility and equal opportunities. Lastly, it's crucial to empower disabled individuals to dictate their identities and experiences, underlining their personal agency in decision-making processes. Understanding disability requires a nuanced approach that champions inclusivity and equity. 💯