Meet Pratishtha Deveshwar Sharma: India’s First Wheelchair User at Oxford
“The world wasn’t built for her.” For many, that statement might sound like a limitation. But for Pratishtha Deveshwar Sharma, it became a question she refused to ignore. At just 13, a life-altering accident changed the course of her life. Not because she lost something, but because she began to see something more clearly. The world around her, its buildings, systems, and everyday structures, was not designed for everyone. And instead of accepting that reality, she chose to challenge it.When the World Feels DifferentGrowing up in Punjab, Pratishtha’s life before the accident was like any other teenager’s full of movement, possibility, and routine. But after becoming a wheelchair user, the same world began to feel unfamiliar. Simple acts like entering a building, crossing a street, or accessing education became complex tasks. It wasn’t her ability that had changed; it was the environment that exposed its limitations. Spaces that were meant to be public were not truly inclusive. Systems that claimed to serve all were not built for everyone. That realisation could have led to withdrawal. Instead, it sparked determination.Choosing to Move ForwardWhat makes Pratishtha’s journey powerful is not just what she achieved but how she chose to respond. She did not step back from her ambitions. She moved forward deliberately and courageously. Education became her pathway, not just for personal growth but for understanding the structures that shape society. Her focus on public policy was not accidental. It was a conscious choice to understand how decisions are made and how they can be changed. This journey eventually led her to one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, the University of Oxford, where she became the first Indian wheelchair user to study there.More Than a Personal MilestoneStudying at Oxford was not just a personal achievement. It was a moment of representation. For many young people with disabilities in India, opportunities at global institutions often feel out of reach not because of a lack of talent, but because of systemic barriers. Pratishtha’s presence in such a space challenged that narrative. It sent a simple yet powerful message: inclusion is not about special treatment; it is about equal access. Her journey highlighted the importance of making elite spaces accessible not just physically but also socially and institutionally.From Experience to AdvocacyPratishtha’s work today goes far beyond her academic achievements. She has become a disability rights activist, TEDx speaker, and inclusion strategist, using her lived experiences to influence policy and perception. Her approach is rooted in storytelling—not as a form of sympathy, but as a tool for change. By sharing her experiences, she helps institutions understand what accessibility truly means. She works with universities, organisations and policymakers to design systems that are inclusive from the start, rather than retrofitted later. Her focus is clear: to ensure that others do not have to navigate the same barriers she faced.Redefining AccessibilityAccessibility is often misunderstood as a checklist of ramps, elevators, and reserved spaces. But Pratishtha’s work expands this definition. For her, accessibility is about dignity, independence, and participation. It is about creating environments where people do not have to ask for permission to belong. It is also about representation, ensuring that people with disabilities are not just included in conversations but are leading them. Through her work, she is helping shift the narrative from “accommodating disability” to “designing inclusively.”A Voice on Global PlatformsAs a TEDx speaker and a recognised voice in inclusion, Pratishtha has taken her message to international forums. Her presence in these spaces is significant not just for what she says but for what she represents. She stands as a reminder that expertise comes not only from textbooks but also from lived experience. Her insights are shaping conversations around accessibility, policy, and representation, influencing how institutions think about inclusion. And as her story shows, when one person chooses to question the design, it has the power to change it for everyone.
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