Umaymah Dakri

30 Mar

Umi is a brown woman wearing a grey hijab and a black top — Ethnicity: British Indian
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Leicester

About Umaymah

Umaymah is a speech and language therapist dedicated to supporting adults with mental health needs to communicate and express themselves effectively. Her professional work is rooted in compassion, empowerment, and a deep understanding of the importance of being heard.

Born with Spina Bifida, she has lived with a disability her entire life. This lived experience gives her a unique and powerful perspective on the realities of navigating the world with a disability, insight that informs both her career and her advocacy.

Umi is passionate about raising awareness of the barriers Disabled people face, while also challenging misconceptions and stigma. Through sharing her personal experiences, she aims not only to educate but also to inspire, particularly young people who may not often see themselves represented in a positive light. Growing up, she noticed a lack of authentic and empowering disability representation in the media, and she is committed to helping change that narrative.

As a Muslim, South Asian woman with a disability, Umi speaks openly about intersectionality and the layered experiences that come with it. She uses her platform to amplify voices that are often underrepresented or misunderstood, creating space for conversations around identity, inclusion, and representation.

Through her work and online presence, Umi hopes to empower others to embrace their identities fully and to show that disability is not a limitation, but a part of a rich and multifaceted life.