Action Plans in Action! CII 2026 Graduates Making Real Change
Since completing their Community Initiatives on Inclusion (CII) course earlier this year, the 2026 cohort has been busy putting their learning into meaningful action across South Asia. From classrooms in India to monasteries in Bhutan, these passionate advocates are creating ripple effects of positive change in their communities.
Building Empathy in Indian Classrooms
Shruti from Darjeeling has successfully completed her ambitious action plan at Glenmore International School. Working with Standard 10 students, she designed thoughtful and structured activities that helped build empathy, raise disability awareness, and foster more inclusive attitudes among young people.
“The students were very engaging and interactive,” Shruti reported, highlighting how receptive young minds can be when presented with inclusive education approaches. Her systematic approach demonstrates how the CII training can be effectively adapted for school environments.
Connecting Hearts and Minds in Tibet
Tenzing Choezom from Tibet delivered what participants described as a “highly engaging session” that shared powerful insights into disability and inclusion. Drawing skillfully on the techniques she developed through the CII course, Tenzing brought together academic learning with lived experience in a way that truly resonated with her audience.
Her approach showcases the unique power of combining professional training with personal authenticity to create meaningful connections and understanding.
Championship Advocacy in Sri Lanka
Jayani, a passionate disability advocate, community leader, and national-level Para Olympian in badminton from Sri Lanka, has been channeling her sporting excellence into community impact. She has organized initiatives specifically supporting wheelchair users and developed motivational programs designed to empower young people with disabilities.
Speaking about her post-CII journey, Jayani has expressed her passion for transforming her learning into meaningful action at both the University and the Ayati Centre in Sri Lanka, demonstrating how athletic achievement and advocacy can powerfully combine.
Cultural Translation in Bhutan
An innovative approach came from Sonam in Bhutan, who recognized that true inclusion requires cultural and linguistic accessibility. She took the initiative to translate her training materials into Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language, to maximize understanding, participation, and impact among her target audience.
Working with Buddhist monks, Sonam found that they “embraced the activities with enthusiasm.” Her program included knowledge sharing about assistive devices and the importance of accessibility, combined with practical activities and even composing songs to raise awareness of key messages. As highly respected members of their community, the monks are uniquely positioned to champion these messages and help create a more inclusive society.
The Ripple Effect Continues
These four graduates exemplify how the CII 2026 program’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. By adapting their learning to local contexts, languages, and cultural frameworks, they’re ensuring that inclusion and disability awareness become embedded in diverse community structures.
Their collective efforts demonstrate that real change happens when training translates into action, and when individuals commit to being catalysts for inclusion in their own communities.