23/05/2026
I am Huma Arshad, and I am living with polio.
From my early childhood, I relied on braces to support my mobility. Even simple daily tasks were a struggle, and many moments in life felt like barriers I could not easily cross. But life changed when I started using a wheelchair.
That wheelchair did not just support my movement — it transformed my life. It gave me independence, confidence, and the freedom to participate in life without constantly depending on others. It allowed me to move forward, not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well.
Today, I proudly serve as the President of The Shine Welfare Foundation for Inclusion. In this role, I work with a clear purpose: to empower persons with disabilities and to promote an inclusive society where no one is left behind because of disability.
Through my journey, I have learned a powerful truth — assistive technology is not just support. It is dignity. It is independence. It is opportunity. And most importantly, it is a bridge that allows persons with disabilities to fully participate in education, employment, and community life.
But we must also recognize that access to assistive technology is still limited for many people. That is why our responsibility is not only to use it, but to advocate for it, to ensure it reaches every person who needs it, regardless of their background or financial situation.
Today, I speak not only as a wheelchair user, but as a voice for inclusion, equality, and rights.
Let us work together to build a society where assistive technology is not a privilege — but a fundamental right for every person with a disability.
