Welcome to Clearing The Haze –Making the invisible visible, a podcast show that discusses topics that are usually invisible or just hazy. Hosted by Shachi Irde. Shachi wears many hats and is passionate about inclusion. She is an industry recognized speaker on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and women in the workplace related topics. She has been recognized by numerous industry forums and has been recipient of “Iconic woman in leadership” award by All Women Economic Forum.

Our topic for today - Acknowledging Ability. More specifically, we will be talking to our guests from The Xavier’s Resource Center for the visually challenged.

Our guests today are Dr. Sam Taraporevala and Mr. Krishna Warrier, here to clear the haze by busting some myths and help us embrace new understanding of how to include blind people in our lives.

Dr. Sam Taraporevala, retired as Associate Professor & Head Department of Sociology and Anthropology of St. Xavier’s College, Autonomous, Mumbai. He is currently the Executive Director of the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) which he founded in 2003. He has been actively involved in advocacy and awareness work in the field of social inclusion using applied research to address key access challenges for persons with blindness and low vision.

Krishna Warrier has over 30 years’ experience in Journalism and Communications Skills. After his career in journalism he started working in the area of disability awareness. He has held senior editorial positions in Reader's Digest, Hindustan Times, Mid-day, and Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE). He has trained students in various facets of communication at institutions like the IITB-Monash Research Academy (IIT Bombay), St Xavier's College, Sophia College, KC College, Wilson College, the Xavier’s Institute of Communications, etc.

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Podcast Summary: Acknowledging Ability

Host: Shachi Irde

00:00: Introduction

01:57: What should one keep in mind while developing products to ensure it is accessible to all?

04:42: Tell us about the program  Antarchakshu.

08:30: How do you sensitize parents on inclusion?

10:50: What are some of the most common challenges people with visual impairment face in their day-to-day life?

14:04: What advice would you give care takers and family members helping their loved ones to this reality?

18:36: What are some of the reasons guide dogs are not used?

21:03: Can you share examples of products which are well designed keeping in mind accessibility needs of all?

25:15: What role do corporates play?

26:50: Your advice to our listeners to being inclusive.

27:51: Conclusion. Outro.

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For this episode, we would like to thank:

- Our 2 guests : Dr. Sam Taraporevala & Krishna Warrier
- The Alliance Française of Mumbai
- Siddharth Bhatt - Cultural Coordinator, Alliance Française Bombay

-  The French Embassy, the French Institute and the Alliance Française Network in India for producing the show and, special thanks to Hemant Soreng and his team for their advice and technical support.

Disclaimer: The views, experiences and opinions expressed in this podcast are personal views of the participating speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the French Embassy or its cooperation network in India.