International Purple Fest, Goa – 2024
In 2024, Believe in the Invisible co-organised the National Conference on Invisible Disabilities at the International Purple Fest, Goa, which was the first conference on India on Invisible Disabilities. Our team; Anjali Vyas, Aarti Batra & Shashank Pandey moderated 4 of the most pertinent Panel discussions on Invisible disabilities :
- Journey to Diagnosis & Treatment : Click here to read more
- Journey to Diagnosis & Treatment : Click here to read more
- Climate Change, Disaster Management & Invisible Disability: Click here to read more
- The unseen reality of Caregiving: Click here to read more
- Stories recieved during the Purple Fest
Experience zone on Invisible disabilities
In an endeavour to build understanding on invisible disabilities, Believe in the Invisible also curated an Experience Zone at the International Purple Fest, Goa; called EXPERIENCE THE INVISIBLE that brought to light the hidden struggles of persons with invisible disabilities. Using everyday items, we successfully simulated the nuanced symptoms and challenges of invisible disabilities that often go unnoticed. Participants engaged in activities like balancing on a water bag, blindfolded walks, and buttoning up shirts with rubber gloves, shedding light on the invisible symptoms / challenges.
The Experience Zone garnered attention from various participants, including Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative resonated across diverse backgrounds, involving people with disabilities, employers, and NGO representatives. Their insights, shared on the ‘Wall of Thoughts,’ enriched the event.
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Purple Fest, Delhi – Feb 2024
Our work at the International Purple Fest Goa also got us an invitation to the Purple Fest – Delhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where we presented our work yet again and received support from other disability organisations.
We were largely visited by students with disabilities and executives from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Participation in Purple Fest Delhi significantly broadened our network and alliances, engaging with organizations such as the MS Society of India, Haemophilia Federation of India, Sarathee, and Enable India.
Hushed Impressions
We hosted “Hushed Impressions,” our inaugural physical event in Delhi in partnership with Forbidden Verses. The event presented artistic and policy aspects by incorporating two broad themes. The first theme focused on an Open Mic event for disabled artists, featuring panel discussions, performances, and exhibitions. The second theme involved a panel discussion on “Disability Art and Storytelling as Bodies of Resistance.”
The event, a vibrant meld of art exhibition, open-mic storytelling, poetry, and musical performances, shone a spotlight on artists with both visible and invisible disabilities. These talented individuals were given a platform to not only exhibit but also sell their artwork, enriching the experience for everyone involved. With over 80 attendees, the event became a powerful space for exploring and celebrating the intersectionality of disability with various identities. The audience’s reception was overwhelmingly positive, appreciating the nuanced connection of disability issues with broader movements, such as gender equality. This meaningful gathering took place at the Kunzum Bookstore, located in Jor Bagh, New Delhi, on the 5th of May, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by a person with invisible disabilities, featuring panellists of diverse genders and disabilities, and including audience members from the LGBTQ community. Art is a great medium of sensitisation and our event has been a prime example of that. The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by a person with invisible disabilities, featuring panellists of diverse genders and disabilities, and including audience members from the LGBTQ community. Art is a great medium of sensitisation and our event has been a prime example of that. The panel discussion highlighted the need for means like art and storytelling in the disability sector and how they can contribute to the advocacy.
Narratives from the event
Art Therapy Workshop
The virtual Art Therapy workshop emphasized on the communal aspect of art-making, encouraging people with disabilities (visible & invisible) to share their creations and experiences, thus fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support. It provided a safe, supportive space for participants to explore and express their emotions and experience the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression, fostering personal growth and emotional well-being. The event included guided art activities & interactive sessions designed to inspire creativity and emotional expression. Through these activities, participants not only created art but also engaged in a process of self-discovery and emotional release.
