I am grateful and humbled as I reflect on the journey of the Inclusion Champions Society. What was once a dream of a more inclusive society has become a movement, and one that is growing stronger with the unwavering dedication of our team, partners, and the communities we engage with.

As a wheelchair user and a woman with disability, I’ve had a front-row seat to the harshness of exclusion, but also to the power of resilience, community, and calling. My journey, shaped by experiences in advocacy, leadership, and ministry, has taught me that inclusion is not charity; it’s justice. It’s recognizing that every individual, regardless of ability, has something unique and powerful to offer.

Being ICS’s Board Chairperson and leading alongside a committed and gifted team of people has been among the greatest honours. We have promoted accessibility, dispelled stereotypes, provided a voice to the voiceless, and built spaces in which persons with disabilities are not just present, but also valued.

As we continue to break barriers and build bridges, we keep reminding ourselves that inclusion is not a destination but a choice we make every day. Thank you for choosing to be a champion and walking this journey with us. The struggle continues, and together we change the world to be a better place.

Bright Oywaya.

Chairperson.

Pondering on our journey from inception till today, my heart swells with gratitude and optimism as I see this vision of bringing all people with disabilities into mainstream life unfold and blossom every day. I acknowledge the vibrant team of Disability Inclusion Champions, driven by purpose, compassion, and unmatched commitment.

The journey together has been nothing less than an incredible experience. We have planted more than just trees; we’ve planted hope, dignity, and opportunity. Through initiatives like the Annual Deaf Bible Challenge, we’ve created a space where the Deaf community engages with the Word of God in a language of the heart. Through Pad a Sister, we’ve restored confidence and dignity to young girls. Our Mother’s and Father’s Day Celebrations have honoured caregivers and spotlighted their often-invisible sacrifices.

We’ve had our banners and voices heard on important global days, celebrating disability diversity in inclusive beauty pageants for Albinism and Autism awareness, empowering the Blind on World Braille Day, and fighting for equal access during International Deaf Awareness Week. Through corporate engagement, workshop sessions, and joint campaigns, we have prepared organizations to integrate disability inclusion into their daily business. To us, these are not just events, but opportunities where lives are changed, hearts touched, and Page 3 of 32 communities informed and positively transformed into disability inclusion champions. Through our events and community engagements, we have seen attitudes shift because inclusion is no longer a term in an unfamiliar dialect, as it is becoming a shared obligation.

As the founder and Secretary General, I count it a great privilege, even as I constantly endeavour to remain faithful and up to the great responsibility bestowed upon me. I truly do appreciate the trust and support from both the dedicated team of Board members, the very committed and skilled management team, the many volunteers, and the community at large, whose blend of skills, knowledge, and experience makes the work lighter on my end as we together change society. The work has just begun, and I wish to extend a special invitation to you as individuals, organizations, churches, businesses, and institutions to join this unstoppable movement of changemakers.

My challenge for you today is to consider becoming an inclusion Champion as a financial partner, strategic alliance, or by investing your time and talent. Let us, together, create a world where nobody is left behind, not in access, not in dignity, and not in opportunity.

The future of inclusion is today. And we need you in it.

Winnie Adoyo.

Secretary General.