For participants under 13, an adult ally (for example, a teacher, youth worker, parent, or mentor) must complete the submission on your behalf. The story itself should be written in the young person’s own words and perspective. The adult’s role is purely administrative, ensuring safeguarding requirements are met and that you are supported through the process. This is simply to make sure we’re following safeguarding best practice and that you’re supported throughout the process by someone who knows your journey.
I am 13+ submitting my own changemaker story
Name
Role / Relationship to the young person
Email address
Preferred Contact number
Organisation or school name (if applicable)
Name of young person or team
Maya
Date of Birth
2010-09-28
If you are between 13 and 18 years old, please download this form, have your legal guardian fill it and then upload here.
Location (city or town)
Noida
School or community group name
Shiv Nadar School
Category of story
Youth Voice & Inclusion
Title
Vision Beyond Sight
Tell us your changemaking story.
For me, one of the most difficult realities is the silent normalisation of inequality. When inequality is all-pervasive, one tends to stop noticing it . I realised that I too had begun to overlook it. The change came when I chanced upon a visually impaired child, about my age, begging at a traffic light. Barefoot and dressed in tattered clothes, she was reaching out to people she could not see looking back at her, judging her. I could not get this image out of my head. What struck me was how arbitrary that divide felt - how easily our positions could have been reversed. I began volunteering with visually impaired students. I quickly realised that learning does not have to be visual. Reading aloud, breaking words into sounds, and using tactile materials made lessons far more accessible. One of the students I worked with received a distinction in English, which was truly rewarding
How do you hope your story will inspire others?
Through this work, I have already inspired some of my peers to think more carefully about accessibility and inclusion and some have joined me in working to make education more accessible. I sincerely hope that others too see that change does not always require large resources -- sometimes just small adjustments, awareness, and empathy can make spaces more inclusive for everyone.
Who else is collaborating with you on this?
Yes am working with other young people, educators, and communities. I collaborate with educators at the NGO where I volunteer, their founding member Ms Monga also visually impaired and some of my own classmates who have joined me in raising funds for tactile learning materials and assisting with lessons.
I confirm that all information submitted is accurate and that I have obtained all necessary consents for participation and media use.
1
I understand that selected stories may be featured in the UK Changemaker Showcase and that Ashoka UK may contact me regarding next steps.
1
I understand that this is not a competition but a celebration of youth leadership and changemaking.
1
User Email
[webform_submission:original:user:mail]
