Devanshi becomes first Indian with intellectual disability to join WILD

Staff Reporter

Devanshi Joshi, the 28-year-old woman of Nagpur with Down Syndrome has been invited by the Mobility International USA to participate in the ‘Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD)’ programme and is currently undergoing a three-week training at Eugene, Oregon, along with her mother Rashmi. She became first Indian woman with intellectual disability to join the programme.

Founded in 1981, Mobility International USA (MIUSA) is a disability-led non-profit organisation headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, USA, advancing disability rights and leadership globally. By implementing innovative programmes, they aim to create a new era where people with disabilities will take their rightful place in the world community. MIUSA is a cross-disability organisation serving people with a broad range of disabilities across the globe. Their mission is to empower people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development, with the vision to ensure a just, accessible and inclusive community in which the human rights, citizenship, contribution and potential of people with disabilities are respected and celebrated.

Anil Joshi, father of Devanshi informed ‘The Hitavada’, “The Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) is is the signature women’s leadership training programme of Mobility International USA (MIUSA). WILD is a highly selective, intensive three-week training that brings together women with disabilities from around the world.” The WILD training method includes knowledge enhancement, skill building, fostering networks for support and experiential learning.

Devanshi after studying in regular school--Hindu Dnyanpeeth Convent, Dharampeth, passed X and XII from NIOS, Open School, writing exams herself started working as full time employee in November 2013. Defying all myths about Down Syndrome, she developed skills and soon became very popular and respected employee at Gram Bharat. Joined Future Group in fashion department sales as full time regular employee in April 2019. Devanshi became first employee with neuro diversity.

Devanshi Joshi was born with Down syndrome, a genetic condition characterised by delayed physical and intellectual development and medical issues. In spite of these hurdles, Devanshi has been taking efforts for the cause of disability rights and women empowerment. She has been breaking many stereotypes. Total eight years of regular, full-time work experience, first employee with neurodiversity in a retail chain since three years, expressing her views as self-advocate from various online and offline forums including the UN Assembly at Geneva, Youth Leader of Special Olympics, Awareness Icon of the Election Commission of India, featuring in award-winning documentary and recipient of many prestigious awards, including Helen Keller award and twice recipient of national award from Government of India, Devanshi keeps raising her bar.

In her journey towards independent living, she has acquired many skills like socialising, relationships, understanding and dealing with risks herself, effective use of technology and basic self-defence.

Devanshi, along with her parents is actively engaged in counselling and guiding thousands of special families since many years. After returning from the US, she would be synergizing the insights gained at the WILD programme with the agenda of Down Syndrome Federation of India and other organisations to champion the rights of persons with disabilities, to foster leadership and to ensure inclusion.

“We are confident about her growth, not because we are her parents but because we know she has will to acquire the skill, passion to learn every new thing, adopt everything and excel in it,” said Anil Joshi a proud father.