Pushing the Movement Forward: Sricamalan’s Reflections from the Global Disability Summit in Berlin by the International Disability Alliance (IDA)
Sri’s Journey in Disability Advocacy
Sricamalan Pathmanathan, or Sri as he’s known in general, has built a life around advancing equity for Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people with disabilities (IBRpD). An HR professional at Toronto Metropolitan University and co-chair of its Employees with Disabilities Community Network, Sri’s leadership stretches far beyond institutional walls. He’s a founding member of Race and Disability Canada, the Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO), and the Organization of Canadian Tamils with Disabilities (OCTD). As an immigrant from Sri Lanka who came to Canada in 1992, Sri has spent over three decades bridging the gaps between disability, race, and community.
Answering the Call: A Global Invitation
In early December, Sri stumbled upon a mention of the Global Disability Summit (GDS) in a newsletter from the World Federation of the DeafBlind. What followed was a whirlwind application process. He didn’t know if he’d make it. “I was not sure even a week before the summit if I would really be going due to the recently changing global political economic climate,” he admitted. But after final confirmations, Sri boarded a plane to Berlin, joining over 4,500 delegates from 150 countries.
“This was a great opportunity,” Sri reflected. “Both the Global South and Global North together. I also wanted to connect with people with different disabilities from different countries and learn from each other.”
Held every few years, the Global Disability Summit is not just a high-level meeting. It’s a global mechanism aimed at advancing disability-inclusive development and humanitarian action, especially in the Global South. Hosted this year by Germany and the Kingdom of Jordan, the summit represents a rare space where governments, UN bodies, NGOs, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) all sit at the same table to share lived expertise and collaborate on advancing disability rights across the globe.
A Summit that Delivered on Access and Impact
From the moment Sri arrived, the scale and coordination of the summit impressed him. Despite its size, the event was remarkably accessible. Interveners, interpreters, audio descriptions, and multiple language channels ensured everyone could engage fully. Even in the middle of the noise and bustle, Sri was able to follow every discussion, thanks to support from his CNIB DBCS intervener and spouse, both of whom joined him in Berlin.
“I didn’t miss anything,” he said. “Even with my dual sensory disability, I was able to concentrate. It was an amazing experience.”
More than the logistics, it was the intention behind the design that stood out. “They made sure people who are Indigenous and people who are ethnic minorities had special consideration,” he explained. “That was the focus—and which I really liked. That’s where we need to focus on the underrepresented groups whose voices are not normally at the table.”
Moments that Mattered
Sri was deeply moved by the global storytelling that took place throughout the summit. One exhibit featured personal stories of violence against women and resistance from across the world—from survivors of acid attacks in South Asia to the trauma of residential school survivors in Canada. These were not just displays. They were acts of remembrance, resilience, resistance, and recognition.
Another standout moment was witnessing cross-disability solidarity in real time. “We have succeeded in many things,” Sri noted. “And there are many things we can learn from each other and support each other.”
One session in particular reminded Sri just how important it is to ensure people with disabilities have the support they need to thrive—not just physically, but also emotionally and structurally. “Even people who are champions and well-known leaders… if they don’t have the right trainer, educator and support in order to have their basic foundation, they wouldn’t be able to shine and communicate all their ideas and views.”
Lessons for Indigenous, Black, and Racialized People with Disabilities
Sri left the summit energized, but also reflective. Here are the top three key lessons he hopes others will carry forward, especially Indigenous, Black, and racialized people with disabilities looking to step into global advocacy spaces.
1. Collective Advocacy Is Non-Negotiable
"We need collective advocacy—a collective voice to make changes and ask for our rights,” Sri emphasized. Attending the summit underscored just how powerful it is when people move in unity. Whether it’s pushing for policy change or securing funding, individuals can only go so far alone. Collective action is what drives systemic change.
For IBRpD communities, collective advocacy means showing up for each other across identities and geographies. It means forming alliances, building coalitions, and ensuring the most marginalized voices are centered.
2. Find Your People and Build Together
“It’s great to boost yourself individually, but you can’t do that without a community.” Sri’s words ring especially true for those navigating multiple forms of exclusion. Conferences like GDS offer rare opportunities to connect with others who share similar lived experiences—and who understand the emotional weight that advocacy work can carry.
“I wanted to connect with people who speak Tamil in different countries,” he said, “and people who are DeafBlind, or blind, or racialized with disabilities, so we can relate and share and compare notes.” For IBRpD advocates, these moments of shared identity and purpose can be the foundation of lifelong partnerships.
3. Community Work Takes Patience, Sacrifice, and Maturity
Creating real change in community spaces is rarely easy. It demands patience, emotional labor, and a willingness to look beyond individual priorities. Sri acknowledged that working together often comes with challenges, especially when people bring different ideas, styles, and lived experiences to the table.
“Working together takes energy, sacrifice, and maturity,” he shared. “We have different styles and different ideas, but we need to move past internal politics. We need to give time to our communities — to serve and support however we can.”
For Sri, the key to progress is consistent, collective effort. He urges Indigenous, Black, and racialized people with disabilities to stay engaged with their communities by reading newsletters, attending events, and sharing knowledge and time with others.
“Many of us have challenges due to barriers related to disability or being busy lives to sustain at work and family,” he said, “but if we stay focused and consistent, things will start to bloom. We may not see change right away, but the results will come.”
Looking Forward
Quickly Sri noticed the common sentiment reflected in most speakers at the Summit that despite the recent threat and funding cuts to IDEA centered programs. He highlights, “There’s no going back. We’ve come a long way—but we have a long way to go.”
Sri believes this sentiment captures both the urgency and the hope of the disability justice movement. “Events like this move the needle in terms of accessibility and inclusion,” he said. “And we need to keep pushing, especially for those whose voices have too often been left out.”
If you are an Indigenous, Black, or racialized person with a disability, Sri’s journey is a reminder that your voice matters—and that spaces like the Global Disability Summit are not just for policymakers. They are an opportunity for you to be seen, to be heard, and to help shape the future of disability rights on a global stage.
Ways to Get Involved and Lead Change
Sri’s reflections are also a call to action. If you're looking to take the next step in your own advocacy journey, there are several ways to get involved and lead change within your community:
IDEA-Leadership Program
This national program helps Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people with disabilities build leadership skills, deepen self-advocacy, and gain the tools to challenge systemic barriers in their workplaces and communities. Learn more at racedisability.ca/ideal-program
Peer Network
Looking for a space where you feel seen, heard, and valued? Join our Peer Network, a virtual community exclusively for Indigenous, Black, and racialized people with disabilities. Through monthly sessions, participants exchange stories, learn from each other, and grow together in solidarity. Learn more at racedisability.ca/peernetworkIDEA Practitioners and Professionals Network
If you work in equity, accessibility, or inclusion, the IDEA Practitioners and Professionals Network (IDEA PPN) offers a powerful platform to connect with others doing similar work across Canada. This free network provides actionable tools, insights, and a space to collaborate on building more inclusive organizations for IBRpD communities. Learn more at racedisability.ca/ideappnetwork
Want to learn more about Sri and his work?
Check out our Storytelling Campaign on Instagram to hear more from Sri and other Racialized disabled leaders and their work on advancing disability justice.
As a founding member of Race and Disability Canada, Sri’s journey reflects the mission we continue to uphold: amplifying the voices and lived experiences of Indigenous, Black, and racialized people with disabilities. Through research, education, and advocacy, RDC works to address the root causes of systemic marginalization of IBRpD and push for lasting change in how policies and services are shaped across Canada.
