Look at their abilities and let them be part of us

A photography exhibition titled ‘Skills’ to celebrate abilities was held on platform number 5 and 6 at the Fort Railway Station from December 11, 2007 to January 4, 2008, to change the stigma affiliated with disability in Sri Lanka and create a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.

The exhibition displayed the work of three prominent Sri Lankan photographers, Anoma Rajakaruna, Menika Van Der Pooten and Gemunu Amarasinghe and one French photographer who specializes in disability photography, Philippe Merchez. The exhibits were selected with the participation of disabled activists and partners affiliated to the Abilympic competition.

The exhibition portrayed photographs taken during the Abilympic competition which brought together 600 persons with disabilities from across Sri Lanka. The four national winners represented Sri Lanka at the 7th International Abilympic Competition in Japan in November 2007.

Organized by Handicap International Sri Lanka, the exhibition will tour the country throughout 2008 and be displayed at selected public locations and railway stations.

These activities to raise awareness on issues pertaining to the rights, social inclusion and access to livelihood for persons with disabilities are being held in connection with the International Day of Disabled Persons celebrated last year, under the UN global theme of ‘Decent work for people with disabilities’.