"Future Life How?": Destigmatization of Disability Webinar

On Monday, February 24, from 10:30-11:30 am ET and 9:00-10:00pm IST, the Canada India Research Centre for Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) will be hosting a webinar on Zoom featuring Dilshan Fernando, PhD Candidate in Sociology and International Development.  

Dilshan’s research focuses on political economic analysis of disability and its impact on development. He has field-work experience in Myanmar, India, and Sri Lanka conducting research about how emerging technologies change the lives of marginalized people. Additionally, Dilshan has worked with the LWWRC as a graduate student, mobilizing knowledge for the Disability and Livelihoods in Canada partnership.   

This webinar will explore how Titan, a leading Indian organization, navigates the destigmatization of disability in employment within the context of rural South India. Dilshan’s research uses interviews and participant observation to explore systemic barriers, recognition gaps, and the two-tier workforce that upholds disability-based inequalities.  

Over the course of this webinar, Dilshan will also go over Titan’s key strategies for navigating destigmatization, such as symbolic actions, inclusion-focused policies, and anti-stigma accessibility practices. Dilshan will also expand on the challenges of employment precarity and re-stigmatization.  

The presentation will conclude with actionable insights on leveraging public-private partnerships and accessible education to foster disability inclusion in evolving knowledge economies, contributing to global debates on destigmatization and equity.  

To find out more and register for this webinar, visit the CIRCLE events page.