Janith Ittapana

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

What is a Paralympian and what does Paralympics mean? Athletes answer your biggest questions about the Games ahead of Paris 2024.

08/08/2024

📍 Pin this post for August 28-September 8!

Here is all the info you need on where you can watch the Paralympic Games LIVE from around the globe. 🌏🌎🌍

https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024/news/where-to-watch

08/08/2024

13/06/2024

This Saturday on Guest Speaker Diaries with Matale Toastmasters Club ❤️

Janith Ittapana, also known as Panda on Wheels©, is an Educator of Psychology with a BSc (Hons) in
Psychology, Coventry UK. He is also a Mental Health and Disability consultant with a special focus on mentoring youth with and without disabilities through their path. He has held
responsibilities as the DEI lead for Commonwealth Youth Health Network and as an executive member of the Commonwealth Youth Disability Network.

His work counts to over half a decade of experience revolving around training over 400+ individuals and speaking to businesses and diverse communities to uncover unconscious biases and reduce stigma in discussing mental health and other topics that are considered taboo in society.

Join this weeks meeting to get some valuable insights from .wheels on Men's Mental Health!❤️

25/08/2023

AIDEX 2023, the Annual Sports Festival for the people with different abilities . 👩‍🦽🏹🚴‍♀️

Here’s a throwback to last year’s sports festival, with over 300 individuals including children with disabilities from around Sri Lanka. Dilmah and the MJF Foundation have been supporting AIDEX for the past 20 years, recognizing these men and women, for their persevering sporting abilities.

Join us to cheer on these personalities who challenge the conventional narrative of a person with a disability on the 27th of August at the Rifle Green Grounds of Air Force Headquarters, Colombo 02.

*Caption adapted from MJF Foundation - The Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation

Dilmah Tea Colombo Friend In Need Society

09/08/2023

02/08/2023

~ "Be dedicated to change the way in which people see mental illness at all levels of society. If not for yourself, advocate for those who are struggling in silence.” — Germany Kent ~

Reflecting on a training that I conducted as part of the "FreeMind" workshop for the youth of AIESEC in IIT.

It was an honor to be part of this workshop alongside Dr. Karen Andrew who facilitated an insightful session on well-being

The training looked into understanding about each other and also how we could effectively support people coming from diverse communities as part of a prominent volunteering organization.

Hats of Nikil Jayasuriya and AIESECers in IIT for the interest shown on the training.

======================
DM to book for collaborations and trainings with on Mental Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trainings suited for your audience.




==================
Coverage Credits : AIESEC in IIT
Pictures: ALT text added.

30/07/2023

~ Reflecting on an Imperial Experience ~

DISCLAIMER: The experience is limited to the washrooms on the second floor and places have been and is not an overall review of ALL the places within the hotel.

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to visit Monarch Imperial situated at the Capital City of Sri Lanka. (Coincidence? We will never know 🤷‍♂️).

This is an elegant location indeed. Here's a summary of my accessibility experience at this beautiful location.

PATHWAY:

The main pathway to enter the premises is a smooth, wide ramp-like pathway. Recommended for power wheelchairs or you may have to find a friend to push yourself. BUT, you can avoid that pathway and take the elevator from the car park to any floor, and I visited the second floor. The security staff is seemingly sensitised to support wheelchair users and ensured I am in.

A small recommendation: Have a small incline on that entrance so that power wheelchairs can also get in WITHOUT support.

=========================

WASHROOMS:
There is a large designated accessible washroom, in each floor. The design is such that they have also placed a small incline as they have a very small step (a wheelchair user can manage with and without it, but love that touch).

There are designated staff near the door to assist if required and to mitigate wrongful use. They are friendly and know what they are doing.

Recommendation: Have another holding bar on the left side. Place the universal disability sign(♿️ )on the door.

=============================

Event buffet arrangement:
I am not aware if it is the usual procedure, however the highlight of the day for me is being able to see the food at eye-level and being able to place my plate and even serve myself. (That was a first) With how the food looked I needed someone to push me as both my hands were occupied especially when it came to desserts 😂❤️

Monarch Imperial is progressing in the right direction and you are sure to have an Imperial experience my



=============================

©️ All Rights Reserved by Panda On Wheels. Distribution of the content without due credit to .wheels is strictly prohibited

23/07/2023

~ A weekend at Heritance Ahungalla 🏝 ~

As much as I love a weekend getaway to unwind from the usual responsibilities of life, being a wheelchair user comes with its' own pre-planning that needs to be done. 🥴

However, with one call to the staff, from the reception assured the accessibility for a wheelchair user to be at the hotel, but informed that rooms are yet to be adapted. (Knowing that it should be done is a major plus point).👏💯

Well, long story short, while the scenery is top notch supported by the Architecture of Geoffery Bawa, wheelchair accessibility been considered and even having accommodations at the ready, having staff trained and sensitised was clearly visible.💫🎊

My conversation with the General Manager, Mr Sisira Senarathna, revealed that, they are aware that there is a long road to go from adapting rooms and other skills required for the staff and he even shared about other experiences he had with other disability experiences.

Nevertheless, what was clear is that, accessibility discussions are at the forefront of giving every tourist/local the Sri Lankan Hospitality.

=========================

So DO travel to Sri Lanka, my fellow and stay . They have accessibility needs met, but if it is not in place, they will ensure they find a solution. So your FEEDBACK matters.

THANK YOU Heritance Ahungalla for a comfortable stay for the past two days and being welcoming to improving your accessibility journey, improving leisure for every individual that stay with you.

===========================

©️ All rights Reserved by Panda On Wheels. Distribution of images and videos without prior permission or without giving credit to Janith Ittapana is strictly prohibited

🇱🇰