Rishika Kartik’s passion for advocating for people with disabilities ignited during her high school years while volunteering at the Colorado Center for the Blind. There, she discovered tactile art and a vibrant community that opened her eyes to how often disability gets overlooked in discussions about diversity.
“I noticed that systems designed for people weren’t always neutral,” she shared. “I wanted to help amplify the voices that were often missing from the conversation.”
At Brown University, Kartik took courses like “Pathology to Power: Disability, Health and Community,” which deepened her understanding of disability studies. Classes in art, biology, and engineering helped connect her creative interests with scientific learning.
In a key course taught by Daniel Stupar, she began to explore interactive art, leading to projects like an installation in the List Art Building stairwell. “I wrote in Braille, ‘Please touch the art,’” Kartik explained. This prompted students to engage with blind peers, fostering understanding about blindness through art.
Kartik also collaborated with faculty to create educational courses such as Gerodesign. Here, she studied how aging interacts with disability by working with older adults in Rhode Island. Another course, “Blindness, Arts and Media,” centered on the experiences of blind students to shape conversations about design and representation.
Outside the classroom, Kartik co-leads the organization Blind@Brown and has contributed to public art initiatives, including a project called Blind Urban Subject, located in Providence. In this role, she worked closely with Dr. Wendy Chen, a pediatric ophthalmologist, to develop a mural in a hospital clinic. This mural depicted animals with unique visual traits, aiming to make the space more inviting for children. “We approached the topic of different ways of seeing the world in a joyful way,” she said.
Kartik’s work isn’t just about art; it’s about creating connections. She founded Touch and Create Studio, in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. This initiative offers art workshops aimed at fostering interactions between blind and sighted individuals. “Blindness isn’t a bad word,” Kartik emphasizes. “People want to share their experiences and be treated just like anyone else.”
One memorable workshop saw Kartik help a child express themselves artistically while their mother, who had recently lost her vision, struggled to connect with her child’s work. By introducing the mother to tools for creating tactile versions of the art, she facilitated a powerful moment of reconnection. “It was moving to see how art can bridge gaps,” Kartik reflected.
According to a recent survey by the National Center for Disability Statistics, nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. identify as having a disability. This statistic highlights the importance of advocacy and inclusion in all spaces, from education to public art. By continuing her work, Kartik is not just creating art; she’s cultivating understanding and bridging divides.
In a world where ableism stems largely from lack of awareness, Kartik’s efforts aim to change perceptions and foster inclusive communities. Her projects remind us that everyone’s experiences matter, and art can be a powerful tool for connection.
