Today, Minkara is not only a leading researcher at Boston’s Northeastern University, where she explores chemical interactions at the air-water interface of the lungs but also an intrepid traveller, challenging global perceptions of disability.

Known as ‘The Blind Traveller,’ Minkara shares her journeys across continents through her popular YouTube series, Planes, Trains, and Canes, documenting the highs and lows of navigating unfamiliar terrain without sight. She has tackled everything from Machu Picchu’s rugged paths to the fast-paced world of urban transit, demonstrating the power of resilience and adaptability in each experience.

“Planes, Trains, and Canes was inspired by my desire to shift the narrative around disability and travel, and challenge the narratives that often exclude disabled individuals from the adventure of exploration,” Minkara says.

“As someone who has faced numerous barriers in both academia and everyday life, I wanted to showcase that blind individuals can experience the world just as fully as anyone else. The series was created to introduce a global audience to diverse cultural experiences and to highlight the accessibility challenges faced by blind travellers.”

Many of us don’t realise that navigating the world as a blind traveller involves challenges that sighted people take for granted. “One of the biggest hurdles was the logistics of navigating unfamiliar public transportation systems in cities around the world without sight,” Minkara shares, describing how each destination requires intense preparation, adaptability, and a willingness to trust the unknown. But perhaps an even greater challenge has been shifting societal perceptions.

“Accessibility isn’t just about physical accommodations; it’s about changing attitudes and policies to make the world more inclusive,” she says. Through her YouTube series, Minkara hopes to inspire others to reconsider assumptions about disability and advocate for greater accessibility, showing that inclusivity starts with a mindset open to difference and diversity.

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Among Minkara’s most liberating experiences as a traveller was an unexpected dive into the underwater world of the Philippines.

“As a blind person, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the underwater world, but the experience was transformative,” she recalls. “The feeling of weightlessness, the sounds of the ocean, and especially hearing the coral singing beneath the surface was incredibly liberating.” 

It was this powerful moment that reaffirmed her belief that “vision extends far beyond sight” and underscored that, with an open mind, the world is full of discoveries accessible to all.

“The freedom to navigate experiences on my terms,” she reflects, “was a beautiful reminder that anything is possible.”

After travelling to more than 10 countries now, Minkara has noted several positive changes that she hopes to experience in global travel and tourism moving forward.

“The travel industry needs to rethink its approach to accessibility. I’d like to see more inclusive design practices implemented across the industry, from accessible booking systems and websites to better training for staff on how to assist travellers with disabilities,” she says.

“Representation is also key. We need more visibility of disabled travellers in travel media to challenge stereotypes and highlight diverse experiences. Ultimately, I want the travel industry to embrace the idea that accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.”

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“It’s about creating a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone has the freedom to explore on their terms​ and travellers with disabilities feel empowered to ask for help when they need it and comfortable declining assistance when they don’t, without judgment or misunderstanding,” she adds.

Minkara’s motto, ‘Vision is more than sight,’ has shaped the way she lives her life and approaches her work. In her lab at Northeastern University, Minkara leads the Computational Modeling for BioInterface Engineering (COMBINE) Laboratory, where she uses computational methods to study complex biological interfaces. “My blindness has encouraged me to rely on different sensory and cognitive strategies, which has led to innovative approaches and discoveries in my work.”

Recently, Minkara was in Kuala Lumpur as a key speaker at the widely anticipated ZafigoX 2024 women’s travel conference in October 2024–and was thrilled for the opportunity to empower women to recognise their strength and potential, especially those with disabilities.

“My experiences with Planes, Trains, and Canes and as a scientist have taught me that most true limitations are the ones we impose on ourselves,” Minkara says, hoping listeners will feel inspired to pursue their dreams despite any odds against them. 

“I hope to inspire others to see beyond traditional boundaries, whether in a laboratory, on a global adventure, or within their unique circumstances,” she shares. “I recognise that not everyone has the same level of freedom or opportunity due to various barriers, including political oppression or domestic situations. I hope that my work can contribute to systemic changes that empower everyone, regardless of their situation, to find their voice and path.”

Front & Female Changemakers celebrates the extraordinary journeys of inspiring women who have emerged as powerful changemakers in a range of fields, offering a glimpse into their lives and showcasing their courage, vision and relentless pursuit of change and progress. From social entrepreneurs and business leaders to educators, artists, activists and scientists, Front & Female changemakers exemplify the ability to challenge the status quo and demonstrate the power of women to effect change.

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