2 min readMumbaiJul 7, 2013 02:05 AM IST
First published on: Jul 7, 2013 at 02:05 AM IST
Audio-graphs that can represent actual data-graphs are one of the many technological wonders that a group of blind students learnt about from a Delhi-based teenager this weekend. On his way to Stanford University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science,18-year-old visually impaired Kartik Sawhney inspired at least 20 blind students to pursue maths and science,in a two-day workshop that ended Saturday.
Organised by Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) of St Xavier’s College,the workshop was an informative session for parents of blind children and mainstream teachers,making them aware of the technological facilities that make pursue maths and science. It was a part of the Math and Science Access project that seeks to bring latest international research and development to blind students in India.
Dr Sam Taraporewala,director of the institute,said till a few years ago,most educational boards did not have provisions to allow visually challenged students to pursue these subjects. “Most blind students are discouraged from studying maths beyond class seventh. Even for class X exams,their maths syllabus is that of class seventh. This is unfortunate because the aptitude and interest for maths and science is as prevalent among the blind and low vision students as the sighted,” said Taraporewala.
Lack of information about how these subjects can be studied and taught to blind and low vision students and apathy on part of educational boards and institutions has stopped most of them from chasing their dream,he added.
Kartik was one of the few who decided to fight it out and with the help of XRCVC,made the CBSE include a provision that would enable blind people to appear for written and practical exams. Despite scoring 96 per cent in class 12,Kartik was denied admission to a UG course in computer science in any of the IITs,reportedly because of his disability. He then applied to and got through Stanford.
“The purpose of the workshop was to let blind students and their parents know that software to help them pursue maths and science in their high secondary and higher studies are available,” said Kartik.
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