About Me
Hi, I’m Tuan Rushdi — a disability inclusion advocate, trainer, and someone who has been living with blindness for almost a decade.
I hold a Master’s degree in Disability Policy and Practice and have spent the last 10+ years working to develop the skills, confidence, and employability of persons with disabilities. My work is rooted in both lived experience and professional practice — shaped by the barriers I’ve faced and the opportunities I’ve worked hard to create, not just for myself but for many others.
I’ve worked with organisations across Sri Lanka and overseas, always with one goal in mind: to help build a world where persons with disabilities are seen, heard, and valued.
Why This Blog is Called VIP as VIP
When I first started this blog, not long after I lost my sight, I named it VIP as VIP. It stands for Vision Impaired People as Very Important People — and it means something very personal to me.
In most settings, a “VIP” is someone who’s treated with extra care and respect because of their perceived status or importance. But here’s the truth: people with disabilities often get the opposite experience. We’re ignored, underestimated, or left out of the room entirely.
So, VIP as VIP flips that idea on its head.
This blog is a statement — that persons with visual impairments, and all persons with disabilities, are very important people. Not because of titles or privilege, but because of who we are, what we’ve overcome, and the contributions we can make if given the chance.
It's also a reminder:
Inclusion isn’t charity. Access isn’t a favour.
Dignity, opportunity, and respect are rights — not rewards.
What You'll Find Here
On this blog, I share lessons from my work in disability inclusion, reflections from my personal journey, and honest conversations about what it means to live, work, and lead as a blind person.
You’ll find stories, ideas, and insights — sometimes practical, sometimes personal — but always with one goal: to show that inclusion is possible, and that persons with disabilities are not to be pitied or sidelined, but to be valued and empowered.
Welcome to *VIP as VIP*. I’m glad you’re here.
