Film
Deaf Activist Raghav Bir Joshi Speaks Out for Deaf Drivers
While the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) prohibits discrimination based on disability, Deaf individuals can’t get a driver’s license in Nepal. While nearly 100 other countries allow Deaf people to drive with a license or permit, Nepal’s Vehicles and Traffic Management Act excludes them based on their inability to hear certain auditory signals. Deaf advocates like Raghav Bir Joshi are working to change that, arguing that frequent use of rearview mirrors helps keep them safe on the road. Joshi’s commitment to this cause is personal. As a student, he once took his father’s motorbike without permission, driven by his father’s skepticism about his son’s potential to drive due to his deafness. This act of familial rebellion sparked Joshi’s broader advocacy efforts. He has since been deeply involved with the Deaf community, advocating for their right to drive, including filing a complaint with the Supreme Court. Despite high turnover in government positions hindering progress, Joshi remains determined. “We still face many challenges,” he says, “but we are hopeful that we will eventually succeed.”
Read our instructions on how to watch the video on Able Player.
Bishwamitra Bhitrakoti is a Deaf youth from Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski, Nepal. Born into a Dalit community, he has challenged casteism as part of his advocacy work. He holds a diploma in animal science and is currently pursuing a B.A. in sociology and psychology. As a communications officer at the National Federation of the Deaf, Nepal, Bhitrakoti focuses on strategic communication planning, fostering media relations, and creating universally designed content.
An advocate for disability rights, Bhitrakoti engages with youth groups and organizations as the president of the Annapurna Deaf Association and a member of the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal in the Gandaki province. Over the last seven years, Bhitrakoti has trained youth with disabilities in Nepali Sign Language, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), mental health, and political rights. Bhitrakoti is passionate about traveling and exploring new destinations.
About this video: As the world experiences the hottest decade in recorded history, extreme temperatures are aggravating health conditions and making it dangerous for Pacific Islanders with disabilities to go outside, further affecting their ability to work.
About this video: DJP Fellow Naufal Asy-Syaddad shares the journey of Faisal, a 28-year-old autistic entrepreneur who produces up to 3,000 salted eggs per month, serving customers across Indonesia.
About this video: In rural Nepal, Indigenous women with disabilities rely on traditional practices for their livelihoods, but restrictive state policies are causing hardship. They call on the government to support their traditional knowledge and skills.
About this video: Roshani Adhikari recently made history as Nepal's first blind female lawyer. She is committed to making her country's legal system more accessible.
About this video: Indigenous Pacific Islanders with disabilities fight for survival amidst rising sea levels, advocating for inclusive disaster responses and sustainable futures.
About this video: Farmers with disabilities in rural Nepal are facing unprecedented challenges as climate change intensifies. Unpredictable weather patterns, including devastating floods, threaten their livelihoods and disrupt farming in remote, mountainous regions.