How do you address and refer to a person with a disability? As a future professional, are you ready to deal with this sector of society and its needs? 

These and other questions were just some of the discussions brought up by Mrs Claudia Fretes, an India-based, Argentinian entrepreneur specialising in Tourism and Disability, who gave a delightful lecture to BMC students on Tuesday 22nd November.

Putting India and Argentina’s tourism industries into perspective, Mrs Fretes shared some surprising facts about the matter of disability in Nepal, not only in terms of what needs to be done but also regarding what is being done. 

Being partially blind herself, our Guest Speaker also raised awareness of the fact that disability can be either permanent or temporary, and how it can happen to any of us at any point in our lives, for example, due to an accident. Moreover, the businesswoman busted some myths about how to speak to and about a person with a disability, inviting us to always “put the person first”, as “no one is defined by their abilities or impairments”.

It was rewarding to see our students participating actively in the talk by asking several questions and answering them enthusiastically when requested. And we feel proud to be introducing innovative and provocative talks and activities in our school, which are ultimately aimed at making our students ready to build a better, more inclusive world.

- By Ariel Moreira