The 23rd CavinKare Ability Awards honored six individuals with disabilities for their remarkable achievements and contributions to breaking societal norms and driving change. The awardees were selected by a panel of esteemed jurors, including Madhan Karky, Soumya Swaminathan, Justice Prabha Sridevan, Kapil Viswanathan, and S Sethuraman.
The CavinKare Ability Special Recognition Award was given to Sarah Sunny, a lawyer with a hearing impairment, who has argued cases in the Supreme Court, challenging the lack of legal sign language interpreters and advocating for judicial accessibility. Poonam Shroti, a disability rights advocate from Madhya Pradesh, received the CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that causes fragile bones, she has defied societal expectations by thriving in the corporate world and founding Uddip Social Welfare Society, which empowers individuals with disabilities through education and employment.
The CavinKare Ability Mastery Awards were given to Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, a para swimmer and disability rights advocate from Gujarat, who holds 31 national medals and a world record for the longest open-sea swim by a paraplegic; Miranda Tomkinson, India’s first individual with visual and hearing impairment to major in Special Education, who is a lecturer at NIEPMD and has cleared UGC NET in Sociology and Education; Jilumol Mariet Thomas, from Kerala; and Arshad Pandit, a paraplegic researcher from Srinagar who has secured Rs 12 crore in research funding and developed a hand-controlled driving system.
These individuals have overcome numerous challenges, including accessibility barriers, societal stigma, and personal adversity, to achieve remarkable success. Their stories serve as inspiration to others, showcasing the potential for individuals with disabilities to excel and make a positive impact. The CavinKare Ability Awards provide a platform to recognize and celebrate their achievements, promoting a more inclusive society that values and supports individuals with disabilities.