Meet the Indian set to become the country's first Deaf woman in art conservation

Akanksha Kamble a 24yearold from Thane is doing the unthinkable She is set to become Indiarsquos first Deaf woman in art conservation and museum workmdashand the first person with a disability globally to be accepted into the prestigious School for Curatorial Studies in Venice Italy But her journey is more than a personal milestone itrsquos a bold challenge to the systemic barriers Deaf professionals face in the arts compounded by a daunting financial hurdleldquoI am extremely elated to be accepted into this programmerdquo Kamble says excitedly through her interpreter ldquoMy longterm goal is to be a curator in India as there are no PwD Persons with Disability curators in Indiardquo she addsGrowing up Deaf in India Kamblersquos educational journey was fraught with challenges Communication was a constant hurdle ldquoMost educational institutions lack sign language interpreters and do not accommodate the needs of Deaf and DeafBlind individualsrdquo she explains Without accessible resources like tactile sign language captioning or assistive technology learning becomes a strugglerdquoAkanksha KambleDespite these obstacles Kamble persevered earning a graduate degree in Fine Arts with a specialisation in interior design from the prestigious Sir JJ School of Art Thereafter she landed internships with art galleries and museumsKamblersquos love for art began at seven nurtured through painting competitions at Kala Childrenrsquos Academy But it was later that she truly connected with art at a deeper level ldquoI realised how art lets me express emotions that words cannot It became a safe space for comfort healing and selfexpressionrdquo she sharesKamble turned her challenges into advocacy through her awardwinning photograph The DeafBlind Struggling for Inclusion depicting a DeafBlind student before a chalkboardmdasha symbol of inaccessible education ldquoItrsquos my message to Deaf and DeafBlind individualsmdashyou are talented and deserve a place in education and the artsrdquo she says ldquoItrsquos also a call to educators and policymakers to ensure accessibilityrdquo She won the award in February 2025 at The Global Ability Challenge Photography by Youth4Jobs Foundation and NotJustArt in partnership with the UN and UNESCO IndiaKamblersquos acceptance into the Venice programme an Englishtaught intensive course on contemporary visual arts and exhibitionmaking during the Biennale reflects her commitment to inclusion As a global gathering for aspiring curators her presence will spotlight accessibility in curationArtist and educator Saumya Ananthkrishna praises Kamblersquos achievement emphasising the need for inclusivity in the arts and education ldquoWhen diverse artists get a platform it enriches the creative landscape with fresh perspectives Unfortunately many Indian institutions lack inclusivity disadvantaging students like Akanksha Educational spaces must prioritise accessibility so all students can thriverdquoKamblersquos success can inspire the Indian art scene to rethink inclusivity says Sanjay Nikam artist and curator at Gandhi Films Foundation Mumbai ldquoThe industry is competitive and lacks inclusivity We need a support system that increases visibility for artists with disabilitiesrdquoSystemic accessibility barriers persist in India With fewer than 300 certified interpreters for up to seven million Deaf individuals as per the Indian Sign Language Research amp Training Centre ISLRTC communication gaps remain in education and workplaces A 2024 report Inclusion in Museums Perspectives of People with Disabilities by MAP Bengaluru and ReReeti Foundation highlights similar exclusion in museums where visitors with disabilities were told ldquoThis museum is not accessible for people like yourdquoKamble envisions a truly inclusive art world with museums providing sign language interpretation captions and hiring disabled curators ldquoInclusive design isnrsquot just about compliance itrsquos about changing mindsets Exhibitions must be conceived with inclusion not as an afterthoughtrdquo she says Advocating for education she urges universities to provide interpreters ldquoI struggled through countless misunderstandings to get here I want future Deaf students to have interpreters in class and role models in curators and professorsrdquoKamblersquos dream comes with financial hurdles The high tuition and living costs in Venice plus the lack of interpreter services mean she must personally fund an Indian Sign Language interpreter ldquoThis opportunity means nothing if I canrsquot fully participaterdquo she saysA Bengalurubased foundation has expressed interest in funding her training however she will be also looking to raise some amount through her crowdfunding campaign Support the First Deaf Woman Curator from India on Ketto ldquoEvery contribution brings me closer to breaking another barrierrdquo she saysDespite opportunities in arts sports and adventure sports financial barriers keep many PwDs locked out Government initiatives exist but real action is missingAt a recent event Empowering Inclusion A Dialogue on Disability Politics and Economic Inclusion organised by NCPEDP parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor stressed that true inclusion requires investment not just symbolism He called for transparent government grants corporate sponsorships based on talent and systemic reforms that treat inclusion as a right not a privilegeUntil financial barriers are removed PwDs will remain dependent on crowdfunding for opportunities that should be rightfully theirsFrom struggling in classrooms without interpreters to aspiring as an international curator Kamblersquos journey is inspiring the Deaf community and disability rights advocates across India paving the way for a more inclusive art worldlt300Certified interpreters for up to 7 million Deaf individuals as per the Indian Sign Language Research amp Training Centre