We are thrilled to share a milestone in accessible learning!
Vision Empower, in collaboration with Cognizant Foundation India, has established the Digital Accessible Resource Centre (D-ARC) at Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy (RKM BBA), Narendrapur, Kolkata.
Designed with a focus on students with visual impairment and other disabilities, D-ARC brings accessible digital content, assistive technologies, STEM, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and hands-on learning together in one accessible learning space.
What is the Digital Accessible Resource Centre?
The Digital Accessible Resource Centre (D-ARC) is an accessible learning space designed to help students with visual impairment and other disabilities explore digital technologies, STEM and emerging areas of learning through accessible and hands-on experiences.
The centre brings together assistive technology, accessible digital resources, tactile and experiential learning, coding, robotics and artificial intelligence, creating opportunities for students to explore, create, collaborate and build confidence.
Four Zones, One Connected Learning Experience
D-ARC brings together four interconnected spaces, each designed to support a different aspect of accessible learning: Sparsh Science Studio, Sristi Tech Lab, Shruti Digital Literacy and Reading Corner, Shared Convening Space
D-ARC represents a transformation of a conventional space into a vibrant, accessible and future-ready learning environment. The space brings technology, accessible resources and hands-on experiences together to create new possibilities for students with disabilities.
Watch the video to see how the space was transformed and explore the learning opportunities created through D-ARC.
(Watch the D-ARC video on YouTube)
Partnerships
The development of D-ARC was made possible through collaboration across organisations with expertise in education, technology, accessibility and design.
Vision Empower acknowledges the invaluable support of its CSR partner, Cognizant Foundation India, as well as the leadership and support of Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy and the Department of Mass Education Extension and Library Services, Government of West Bengal.
The initiative also brought together knowledge, technology and design partners including Imagine Studio, Vembi Technologies, uDot, Curiouscity and STEMpedia.
The inauguration was attended by Mr. Sudip Mukherjee, Additional Secretary, Mass Education Extension and Library Services, Government of West Bengal; Mr. Tapu Basu, DMEEO, South 24 Parganas, Government of West Bengal; Mr. Tanvir Hussain from Cognizant; Mr. Edwin Moses from Cognizant Foundation India; Swami Vasavananda and Swami Mahananda from RKM BBA, along with educators, students and other guests.
D-ARC is designed not only as a learning space for students, but also as a platform for educators, institutions and partners to explore new approaches to accessible and inclusive education.
We invite students and educators from other institutions to visit D-ARC, explore its facilities and discover the possibilities that accessible technology and hands-on learning can create.