HIRAYA Collective is a community of blind and sighted individuals from the Philippines, co-creating accessible and inclusive spaces for learning, creativity and connection.
The word HIRAYA in Tagalog, a Filipino language, means imagination or vision. We at HIRAYA host multi-sensory learning journeys, creative residencies hosting international and local artists and community workshops such as intro to blind culture, accessibility sessions, archery, pottery, spoken poetry, theater improv, cooking, among others.
HIRAYA offers relational and multi-sensory workshops based on six themes: LASAP (flavor & aroma), GALAW (movement & rhythm), DAMA (imaging & sensing), DIWA (words & expressions), ARUGA (wellness for all) and SAYA (play & innovation).
We make ways for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 30 (Participation in Cultural Life, Recreation, Leisure and Sport) to come to life. And we actively co-create with various communities in the Philippines and beyond.
We work in the spirit of “Kapwa not kawawa” (Fellows/Solidarity, not pity). Moving beyond the charity perspective of disability.
HIRAYA is also a member of Project ADAM (Audio Description Awareness Movement), a coalition of 15 blind organizations and communities advocating for inclusive media through Audio Description (AD) for the blind community in the Philippines.
