Breaking Barriers: Social and Emotional

Nanda Jyothish.K

My Journey at WinVinaya Foundation

By Nanda Jyothish.K

Currently pursuing B.Com integration at Dayanand Sagar University

When I first walked into WinVinaya Foundation for my social internship, I carried what I now realize was a narrow lens , one tinted with sympathy. I used to wonder about how persons with disabilities are able to manage their daily lives? Don’t they always need help?

That was my starting point.

But where I ended up was somewhere completely different.

 Over the course of my internship, I met individuals who shattered every assumption I’d ever made. They weren’t waiting for support. They were learning, leading, and thriving, often in ways many of us take for granted.

Have you ever seen candidates with disability enjoying a moment so fully that you forgot every label placed on them?

Yes, I did.

During a recent showcase at the WinVinaya Foundation, where I witnessed a series of heartwarming videos created by our incredible candidates with hearing and speech impairment, individuals with disabilities who continue to break barriers every single day. These videos were more than just farewell tributes. They were stories of resilience, creativity, and the powerful human connections built throughout their journey.

Two videos stood out in particular. In a light-hearted and humorous way, candidates mimicked their trainers and peers, capturing not only their quirks and gestures but also the deep emotional bonds formed over time.  Just like how many of us once mimicked our teachers and friends during our own schooldays, these candidates embraced the same playful spirit, but in their way, that is using ISL. This shows that fun, friendship and memories are universal. What made these moments truly special for the candidates wasn’t just the laughter they brought, it was the warmth, the familiarity, and the love behind each impression. It was a beautiful role reversal, where trainers got to see themselves through the eyes of their students, and peers saw how much they mattered in these relationships.

Another video captured snippets of everyday life: classroom sessions, training activities, exploring Bengaluru, attending movies, and even a walkathon where they participated to give back to society. These weren’t just fun memories, they were powerful representations of capability, independence, and the joy of learning and living fully. From learning professional skills to participating in social outings, each moment painted a vivid picture of what inclusion truly looks like.

Check out the magic here: Insert the video link here

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Inclusion isn’t charity; it’s opportunity. Given the right tools and environment, individuals with disabilities thrive, they learn, lead, and inspire.
• Disability does not define a person. Their creativity, sense of humour, emotional intelligence, and community spirit shine far brighter.
• Representation matters. When society sees individuals with disabilities as capable, fun-loving, and full of potential, perceptions shift.
• Belonging creates growth. The love and support these candidates gave and received are proof that inclusive communities lead to real transformation, for everyone

These candidates didn’t let their disability hold back, but instead dived deep into the world of banking, finance, Zoho bookkeeping, and Power BI.

Yes, Power BI! The same tool professionals use to interpret complex data and build dashboards. Watching them confidently analyze numbers, organize financial records, and explain workflows, all while using Indian Sign Language or simple gestures, was nothing short of inspiring.

There was no self-pity in the room. No helplessness. Only focus, grit, and an undeniable hunger to learn.

One of the most unforgettable moments? Watching a candidate deliver a mock financial presentation entirely through sign language, with such clarity, command, and professionalism that I forgot, completely, that we weren’t using spoken words. That’s when I understood, communication isn’t limited by speech. It's powered by intent

The big lesson I’m taking away would be,

Disability is not dependence. It’s society’s perception, that needs the real change.

These students don’t need pity. They need platforms. They need accessibility, opportunity, and respect. And at WinVinaya, they’re getting exactly that. As an intern at WinVinaya Foundation, I’ve seen how the HSI candidates have broken not just professional, but emotional and social barriers. Through support and inclusion, they’ve grown in confidence, connection, and self-belief. This experience has shown me that the real barriers often lie in society’s perceptions and watching them overcome those has been truly inspiring. At WinVinaya, inclusion isn’t just a concept, it’s a lived reality, and one that continues to transform lives every day.

This internship didn’t just change the way I view persons with disabilities; it changed how I understand strength. It’s not loud. It’s not always visible. Sometimes, it speaks in silence. Sometimes, it signs. And always, it shows up with determination.

As I go back to my campus, I carry not just stories, I carry a mission. To break stereotypes. To advocate for true inclusion. And to remind others, as I remind myself:

They don’t need our sympathy. They need our solidarity.

Thank You!

Breaking Barriers, Building Bonds: My Internship Journey at WinVinaya Foundation

Puja Sarki

By Puja Sarki, M.A. Education Candidate, Azim Premji University

About Me

My name is Puja Sarki, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Education at Azim Premji University, Bangalore. As part of our academic journey, we undertake a three-week internship known as Field Practice 2—a chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world of education and social change.

When presented with several internship opportunities, I chose to intern at WinVinaya Foundation—a decision that was guided by curiosity, admiration, and a desire to challenge my own assumptions. I had always been inspired by the Foundation’s work in the disability sector, especially in teaching technical skills to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). But this would be my first time working closely with individuals with disabilities—and I was both eager and a little uncertain. I wanted to learn from them, about them, and with them.

Understanding an Inclusive Organization

The core purpose of the internship was to develop a deeper understanding of how an organization functions—its history, vision, mission, and ongoing projects. At WinVinaya, we were encouraged to observe, engage, and contribute meaningfully, depending on our strengths.

Over the past three weeks, I immersed myself in the heart of the organization. What I witnessed was not just a workplace, but a vibrant learning ecosystem where every individual—regardless of ability—was valued, respected, and empowered.

Education That Empowers: Learning from the Intellectually Disabled

My primary engagement was with individuals with intellectual disabilities who are trained in and work on Document Remediation—a process that makes educational content accessible to people with visual impairments. The idea that people with one form of disability were helping those with another left a profound impact on me. It was inclusive education and inclusive employment at its finest.

Through daily interactions and close observation, I gained insight into how WinVinaya structures its training. The foundation offers comprehensive digital skill-building programs, covering tools like:

• Basic Computer Operations
• Microsoft Office
• Zoho Books for accounting
• Power BI for data visualization
• Canva for creativity
• Visual Studio Code for coding
• And specialized work in document remediation

This isn’t just about learning how to use tools. It’s about learning with purpose—developing skills that make individuals employable, confident, and independent.

What stood out even more was the parallel emphasis on soft skills: communication, collaboration, time management, and workplace etiquette. WinVinaya understands that success isn’t just about technical proficiency—it's about enabling individuals to thrive in diverse work environments.

A Shift in Perspective

If I’m being honest, before joining WinVinaya, my understanding of disability was narrow and shaped by societal stereotypes. I often viewed persons with disabilities through a lens of sympathy rather than capability. The idea of them thriving in a structured professional environment seemed unfamiliar to me.

But that perception has been completely transformed.

Over these three weeks, I witnessed determination, discipline, and dignity in every individual I worked with. I saw how they collaborated, helped one another, met deadlines, and took pride in their work. It wasn’t just inspiring—it was eye-opening. I began to see them not as people with limitations, but as individuals with extraordinary resilience, untapped potential, and deep humanity.

Reflections That Stay With Me

This internship was not just a field practice—it was a field awakening. It helped me confront my own biases, grow as a learner, and reaffirm why I chose the field of education in the first place.

To the team at WinVinaya Foundation—thank you for welcoming me with open arms, for showing me what inclusive education truly looks like, and for reminding me that real change begins when we choose to see ability before disability.

My Sign Language Learning Voyage

Menaga V

I am Menaga working at WinVinaya. I am happy to meet you all through my first blog. I work with people across disabilities. Here, I present my journey how I learned to communicate with the Deaf through their special language.

Self-Learning through WinVinaya Website

3 years back, I joined as a trainer in WinVinaya, Tirupur.

At first, when I met people with hearing impairment, I was not aware that they communicate through sign language.

I am a curious person who is eager to learn new things. During my initial days, I learned sign language with the help of the WinVinaya website (https://winvinayafoundation.org/learn-sign-language/). Initially, I learned sign language basics like the alphabet, greetings of the day -Good Morning, Good Evening, and Good Night, and common phrases like How are you, I am fine, where are you from? Etc...

I encourage you to see the video and give it a try by signing “Good morning”.  Thumbs up means Good. Open your hand and imitate the flowers growing and blooming.  That represents Morning in Sign Language. What a wonderful expression!

I hope you can try learning it now, just like I learned by myself. While this is a good first step, it isn’t enough to communicate with the deaf.

Learning Journey with Deaf Candidates

I moved to Bengaluru after a few months and joined as a BFSI trainer in 2020. In my first deaf batch, fifteen students were there. I only knew the signs whatever I learned through the website. But I was not aware of the signs for financial-related concepts. I learned a few from my colleagues and tried a few signs on my own. The deaf candidates corrected my mistakes and helped me in learning new technical signs. I was open to learn from my students and that’s how I started my journey with Persons with Hearing Impairment.

Learning Journey with My Colleague

Because of covid, we were at home. But we conducted online classes through WinVinaya Academy which is an online learning platform. Continuously, I took classes for BFSI/BPA course with the help of my colleague Mr. Ayyappan. He is an interpreter and a person with Hard of hearing; Whatever I spoke in Tamil, he interpreted through sign language. He helped me to learn different technical signs and interpreted for me when I took MS Excel, MS word, Banking, Power Automate, and Power BI to deaf students. Later, I got the confidence to do the signs myself with Ayyappan watching me taking the class. Ayyappan corrected few of my mistakes. Through multiple iterations, I learned sign language experientially.

Learning Journey with Sign Language Course

After a few months, WinVinaya arranged for structured sign language classes. Our Sign language interpreter and English Trainer Ms. Sharon along with Gayathri (deaf colleague) took the class for all our trainers. Here, I learned sign language, deaf culture, and about the deaf community. During the class, she told all of us to do the demo in Sign Language. Everyone took general topics. But I took a technical topic - Introduction to Microsoft Power Automate and I explained it to everyone through sign language.  I was proud of myself.

Learning Journey with Friends

After covid, I came to Bengaluru. I and my colleagues Ms. Gayathri, Ms. Vaishnavi stayed in the same room in a PG. Gayathri is deaf and knows only sign language. Vaishnavi is Hard of hearing who can speak and do sign language also. During our free time, I communicated through sign language with Gayathri. At that time, I wasn’t familiar with sign language in general communication. Whatever Gayathri signed; Vaishu gave the voice. And hence it was quite easy to understand and learn. I also tried to do the signs with Gayathri. Whenever I did mistakes, she corrected me through WhatsApp messages or chat.  Now, I communicate with Gayathri through sign language comfortably.

My Perspective about Sign Language

I believe Sign Language is a Universal Language.  Even though there are 100+ sign languages in the world with variations - ISL (Indian Sign Language- where we use both hands), ASL (American Sign Language – where we use one hand), Singapore Sign Language, etc… there are many signs which are common across these languages.

I think if you know sign language you can communicate with people from all over the world. India has so many languages. But since I know sign language, I can easily communicate with a deaf person in Delhi or Kolkata or Hyderabad, or Bengaluru even without knowing their Mother Tongue.

What Next?

From learning sign language and doing the signs slowly – I have come a long way. Today, I help many colleagues to communicate with the deaf. I do the sign language interpretation for IT and BFSI classes, mock interviews, and valedictory functions with decent speed. I am a constant learner, and I am learning new signs every day through my friends and students.

I hope everyone learns sign language. It is Inclusive. It is Universal.  It is a great learning goal for the New Year!