Vision beyond sight: Minnie Baragwanath’s advocacy for an accessible future

In New Zealand, over a million people live with access needs, and eventually, if we’re fortunate enough to grow old, each of us will experience some form of impairment, Minnie Baragwanath reminds us that accessibility touches us all – such insight fuels her advocacy.

Minnie’s path has been far from typical. A distinguished Massey University alumna, Minnie’s commitment to building an inclusive environment is not just her career – it’s a cause close to her heart, shaped by her own experiences with visual impairment. She stands as a beacon for inclusivity in New Zealand, striving for a society where everyone is empowered to succeed and honours each person’s unique abilities.

Minnie’s leadership in establishing Be. Accessible, which has evolved into Be. Lab, and creating the Global Centre of Possibility @ AUT, has initiated a model shift. Her life’s work encourages a societal embrace of inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with different access needs are welcomed with open arms and unlimited potential.

The spark of advocacy

Minnie’s story began in Palmerston North, where a challenging diagnosis of Stargart’s Disease at 14 drastically altered the direction of her life. Confronting daily hurdles, from difficulty in reading the classroom blackboard to the inability to follow a ball during sports, Minnie came to terms with her partial blindness. This moment would shape her future.

Receiving her diagnosis brought a complex sense of relief. “Finally, understanding what was happening to me lifted a burden,” Minnie recalls. “Before that, there were fears that it might be psychological because my eyes showed no signs of disease. Yet, acknowledging my visual impairment meant grappling with a new identity and wondering how I would be perceived in a world that often sees disability before ability.”

She soon noticed a stark dichotomy in people’s reactions to her visual impairment: some fixated on the constraints it imposed, while others looked to the horizons it could open. Minnie reflects, “You realise society split into two distinct camps in their reaction. Those who embrace the concept of possibility don’t just open a door – they invite you to dream and innovate alongside them, and that’s where true potential unfolds.”

This realisation that society’s mindset could have a more significant impact than physical impairment became a driving force behind her advocacy, highlighting the power of perspective in shaping accessible futures.

Massey University – a foundation for change

At 16, Minnie embarked on her academic journey at Massey University. Her time at Massey was a transformative chapter in her life, profoundly impacting her worldview and solidifying her resolve to pursue social justice. “It was this perfect intervention, if you want to call it that,” she says of her university experience. “It reinforced my hunger and thirst for learning.” Minnie credits the university for broadening her knowledge and providing a nurturing space that respects and values her unique perspective.

Minnie’s message to current students resonates with appreciation: to cherish and make the most of the precious time dedicated to learning. Massey’s nurturing environment provided Minnie with an education and a sanctuary that catalysed her personal and professional growth.

A mission for inclusivity

Drawing from her experiences, Minnie established Be. Accessible in 2011 with a formidable team and Board. The mission was clear – to forge a completely accessible country for the 25% of New Zealanders living with an access need. Under her leadership, Be. Accessible became a beacon of change, transforming into Be. Lab and laying the groundwork for the Global Centre of Possibility @ AUT.

Minnie’s dedication to accessibility and social innovation has not gone unrecognised. Over the last few years, she has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, the Westpac Women of Influence Diversity Award, and the Zonta Women’s Award, and was placed as a top 10 finalist for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. Each accolade is an emotional milestone and a booster, fuelling her determination to persevere in her challenging work.

“It’s very humbling to get any kind of award,” Minnie shares, acknowledging that the recognition is not just a personal accolade but a testament to the mission she and her team have worked tirelessly to advance.

A story waiting to be told

Throughout her journey, Minnie faced significant hurdles. These included not just societal barriers but also personal health crises. A diagnosis of breast cancer in 2015 forced her to step back from her work and grapple with the complexities of navigating the health system as a blind woman. Then, a heart attack amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further signalled the need to pause and reassess.

“Every step of the way is a challenge,” she admits. Confronting and overcoming obstacles, from societal attitudes to personal health battles, has only fuelled her resolve. “For a long time, I think it was around surrounding yourself with an amazing team and board,” she reflects, underscoring the importance of community and support in her endeavours.

The health scare prompted Minnie to prioritise a long-held ambition: to write a book. Blindingly Obvious became a labour of love and reflection, where she explored the depths of her experience as a blind woman, CEO, entrepreneur, and social innovator. The book delves into the often unheard narratives of blind women and entrepreneurs, illuminating their unique challenges and triumphs.

Writing the book is as much a personal revelation as an act of advocacy. “I felt this book was waiting to be born,” Minnie confesses, expressing a profound urgency to share her experiences and insights with the world.

Minnie will discuss her powerful debut book Blindingly Obvious in Palmerston North at the City Library on June 20th. Find out more here: Palmerston North City Library (pncc.govt.nz)

Envisioning a world of possibilities

Minnie’s aspirations for the future remain rooted in possibility. “I want to work with people who have read my book and feel it resonates.” 

She channels her efforts into forward-thinking design and visionary leadership, forging partnerships with creative thinkers and innovators who share her commitment to inclusivity. This endeavour marks a new era in her pioneering story.

With an approach she defines as “Possibility Leadership,” Minnie is dedicated to conceiving and cultivating a world that transcends outdated notions of disability and access. Her ambition is to create platforms, like symposiums, where thought leaders can converge to sculpt a more accessible and inclusive future for everyone.

Today, Minnie is the Chief Possibility Officer for the GCOP, now located in Whanganui. She is also a speaker, coach, and consultant through her own enterprise, Minnie Consulting, www.minnieb.co.nz.