Accessible STEM

What begins as classroom practice can grow into knowledge worth sharing. It was a proud moment to see our community of practice take its learning from classrooms to a national platform. A 12-member team from Vision Empower, comprising teachers from special schools for children with visual impairments and Vision Empower…

Why the first six years decide so much for a child who cannot see – and what an inclusive Anganwadi really takes. By Vidhya Anand Every newborn who enters this world has a clock that is ticking – and for a child with disability, that clock ticks a little faster.…

Have you ever wondered how we keep learners engaged when they are away from school, far from classrooms, teachers, and learning resources? For many children with visual impairment, summer often means a break from learning. For students studying in residential schools for the blind, going back home during vacations often…

Accessible STEM education can transform how children with visual impairment experience learning. Ankita Singh and Nainika P S come from different parts of India, separated by more than 2,000 kilometres, but their journeys share a powerful common connection. Both are curious, talented, and eager to learn. For both of them,…

When we hear firsthand feedback from our students and teachers, we are reminded why accessible STEM education matters so deeply. It reaffirms that we are working for the right cause that deserves far more attention and investment. This is the story of the students who inspire us every day, the…

A child’s learning journey extends beyond the classroom, and parents play a vital role in shaping that experience. However, when a child is visually impaired, many families may not have access to the knowledge, resources, or strategies needed to effectively support learning at home. In many cases, parents are sighted…

This year, nearly 3,000 students with visual impairments participated in National Science Day celebrations across more than 100 schools in 17 states. Their science exhibitions welcomed over 5,000 visitors, including parents, educators, students from mainstream schools, government officials, and community members. At Vision Empower, National Science Day is not a…

When students with visual impairments return home from residential special schools for the summer, their access to accessible learning resources, academic support and structured learning opportunities may become limited. To help bridge this gap, Vision Empower organised summer learning programmes including Hexis reading sessions, accessible STEM camps, online classes and…

Vision Empower inaugurated an Accessible Science Lab at Rashtriya Virjanand Andh Kanya Senior Secondary School, Vikaspuri, Delhi established in partnership with Bata India Limited. Created with the vision of making STEM learning inclusive and engaging, the lab enables students with visual impairment to explore Science and Math through tactile models,…

Vision Empower commemorates World Water Day 2026, embracing this year’s theme — Water and Gender — a powerful reminder of the deep connections between water access, gender equality, and dignity. Observed annually, World Water Day brings attention to critical global water issues. This year’s theme highlights how water access is…

VE inaugurated a fully accessible science laboratory for students with visual impairment at FFEBD District Special School For The Blind, Malkangiri, Odisha on 22nd January. The lab was inaugurated by the Hon’ble SSEPD Minister, Shri Nityanand Gond. This initiative aims to promote inclusive education by providing students with disabilities equal…

“Only when Braille becomes the medium of learning does it truly become a tool of independence.” Rebecca Carvalho shares reflections from her journey of working with students with visual impairment over many years. Last week, I was speaking to a parent of a child with visual impairment (VI), who told…

Vision Empower hosted Vision 30, a three day immersive learning experience for bright young learners with visual impairment from all across India, along with their educators, caregivers, supported by corporate funders of VE. Students introspected on and explored their identities, diversity in the environment and the role of technology in…

On World Disability Day, December 3, 2025, Vision Empower, with support from Cognizant Foundation India, inaugurated Kerala’s first Accessible Experience Zone at the Aluva School for the Blind. Designed as a multi-functional learning space, the Experience Zone enables students to explore science, mathematics, computational thinking, and digital literacy through tactile, auditory, and…

On 2nd December 2025, Vision Empower inaugurated Kerala’s first Accessible Science Lab at Rahmaniya School for the Handicapped, Calicut, with support from Cognizant Foundation India under the STEAM4ALL Project. The inauguration was attended by Ms. Asthaa Sarma, Senior Associate – Education; Manager Azeez; Headmistress Kamuru Laila; school dignitaries; Vision Empower coordinators; parents;…

On 25th November 2025, Vision Empower inaugurated its first Accessible Science Lab in Tamil Nadu at St. Amalarakkini Higher Secondary School for the Visually Impaired, Thiruvannamalai, supported by Cognizant Foundation India under the STEAM4ALL Project. The lab aims to inspire visually impaired students to pursue STEM by providing adapted and accessible science…

On 13th November 2025, Vision Empower’s ARC on Wheels initiative reached Gnana Jyoti Blind School, Haveri, engaging 28 visually impaired students from Grades 1 to 10 in an immersive, tactile STEM session. Students were grouped into small teams and rotated across six interactive learning stations covering: Each station offered guided demonstrations that…

On Saturday, 27th September, the Assistive Resource Centre (ARC) at IIIT Bangalore buzzed with excitement as visually impaired working professionals gathered for a joyful day dedicated to play, creativity, and tactile exploration. Designed by and for the VI community—with support from the VE team—the event offered a refreshing break from routine and an…

Digital Literacy is as essential for teachers and students with blindness across the globe, as it is for the non-visually impaired. Unfortunately, there has been less focus on ensuring Digital Literacy among persons with visual impairment, though it has been found to improve their quality of life significantly. Vision Empower…

Tactile graphics are non-textual information to people who are blind or visually impaired and include tactile representations of pictures, maps, graphs, diagrams, and other images. Given below are some links which will help caregivers or instructors make Science and Math related diagrams at home by following the steps. Click on…

RLF provides tactile design and production services and is closely working with NCERT, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (Govt. of India), WSSCC (UN organization) and other organization working in the field of blindness to convert textbooks, resource books, manual etc. in accessible formats along with the tactile diagrams. Vision Empower procures high…

Tactograph, a product from Enability Foundation enables the printing of tactile books and worksheets at an affordable price. It is a motorized x-y stage that traces a predefined picture using an adhesive fluid, creating a tactile image on a normal A4 sized paper. To make this printing process user friendly…