Miss Ability

Ever whistled at a woman in a wheelchair? Checked out the boobs of a blind babe? Flirted with a gal who has difficulty walking? This is the tagline used by Absolutely Independent, producers of the original reality TV show, Miss Ability. Twelve young women with disabilities ‘visible to the naked eye’ participate in different events in front of a panel of judges.

The twelve contestants appear before the judges in casual wear, evening wear, swim suits and lingerie/nightgowns. They are interviewed by a top journalist to prove they have what it takes to be an Ability Ambassador, must participate in a full fashion shoot with a top photographer in which the contestants must prove their abilities as a model and make a short film in which they show how they overcame their disabilities. After all this, the judges select the final four contestants. The final four contestants then give another speech and the winner is chosen by the viewing public.

The Dutch producer of the show, Jacco Doombus, insists that the shock value of a show like this is what made it a smash success. Says Doombus, “Miss Ability isn't meant to be 'ethical,’ but is meant to be a bomb! The programme generates discussion among the viewers on how we in society are looking at disabled people and how we 'qualify' them in our minds. If you want to create a change in societies perception / public opinion of disabled persons, and how people threat a disabled person, you have to throw a bomb first ... to make people think and talk."

Read more: http://disabilities.suite101.com/article.cfm/miss_ability#ixzz0QY35aBLt

The Possibilities

Hey Friends!

This is first time I myself am writting my own thoughts in this blog. This blog I have created for me and others to see the individuals as achievers, contributors, human being with emotion and desires of a normal being and not look at their impairment and disabilities. In my experience generally we, the beings without impairments view only the impairments in a person if we at all notice them and then discard them as a non entity. If at all we take note of them we invoke the 'charitable being' in us. We leave our capacity and capabilities to see and treat them as equal (with immense ability and creativity) somewhere back in the last drawer of our consciousness.

Their disadvantage is not due to their personal impairment, but the inaccessible world we have built for them and prohibit them to be part of a normal life. So Disability is not what they need to overcome, it is for us to notice the Barriers and Remove.

Any human being including those with impairments have amazing abilities. Its only a matter of opportunities for those to manifest. My endeavour is to bring the stories of abilities and opportunities in one place.

Thanks to all the readers. Do join me celebrating the abilities & opportunities and encouraging those who need inspiration.