Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
Every morning, 29-year-old Akshay Mohandas Bhangle boards a Kadamba Transport Corporation bus in Sankhali, cane in hand, and makes his way to Dona Paula. Familiar drivers, conductors, and fellow passengers greet him along the route, offering small gestures of help. For Akshay, who has been 100% visually impaired since birth, the daily commute is just one of many challenges he has learned to navigate with remarkable determination.
Today, Akshay works as an Administrative Consultant with Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd, where he oversees communication with lifeguards across Goa. Equipped with a smartphone adapted to his needs, he manages his responsibilities efficiently.
“My visual impairment does not affect my work and my colleagues are helpful and inclusive, assisting me when needed,” he said.
Akshay’s journey has been one of resilience, anchored by the unwavering support of his parents. “My parents dedicated themselves fully, visiting top eye hospitals across the country in hope of a cure,” he said.
Education was another battle. Most schools were hesitant to admit a blind student, but with persistence—and the backing of the Education Department and the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Goa—he was enrolled in Balmandir School in Sankhali. Later, he studied at the Lokvishwas Pratishthan School for the visually impaired in Ponda. Classrooms designed for sighted students posed difficulties, and the lack of accessibility to computers in college added further hurdles. Yet, Akshay persevered. He went on to graduate from the Dhempe College in Miramar and later earned a Master’s degree from Goa University.
“My introduction to technology came out of necessity,” he said adding, “Through NAB’s training, I learned to use screen reader software like NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), which enabled me to use a laptop and smartphone independently. Though it was difficult at first, my persistence and support from NAB helped me become digitally literate.”
His achievements extend beyond academics. He has won the Outstanding Differently Abled Student Award from Dhempe College and has been recognised for his talents in singing and public speaking through Toastmasters. Akshay firmly believes that disability should not mean limitation. “Persons with disabilities can achieve anything with a bit of hard work, confidence, and family support,” he said. “I urge all disabled individuals not to sit idle but to pursue education and careers with determination. I also appeal to parents to support their children’s ambitions, which will help them live independent lives.”
While Akshay has cleared multiple competitive exams, he is still awaiting opportunities in the public sector. He has called upon authorities to provide equal employment avenues for persons with disabilities and to implement necessary guidelines—such as exempting visually impaired candidates from map and graph-based questions in competitive exams.
His story, however, is not one of complaint but of hope. As he continues his daily journey from Sankhali to Dona Paula, Akshay carries with him a message of perseverance, resilience, and the belief that, with the right support, no disability can dim the light of determination.
