|

Pragya at Karnataka 2024

Vision Empower (VE) organized a 3-day training workshop at NAB Bangalore on October 23rd to 25th, for 37 teachers from 24 special schools for the blind across Karnataka, with approval from the Department for the Empowerment of the Disability and Senior Citizens (DWDSC). The workshop aimed to equip teachers with innovative tools for teaching science and math to visually impaired (VI) students. Participants included 26 VI and 11 sighted teachers.

Pragya at Karnataka 2024
This image shows the VE team and all the teachers from across Karnataka, who came to attend the teachers’ training stand together in a group while posing for a photo

On Day 1, the workshop began with a welcome session introducing new interventions based on feedback from the past year. Teachers explored the “Be My AI” app for inclusive learning and attended subject-specific sessions, with science focusing on “Reproduction in Plants” and math on “Data Handling,” utilizing accessible teaching materials.

Vidhya taking the Be My AI app session
This image shows the Vidhya taking the Be My AI app session for all the teachers from the various schools of Karnataka, while they are seated in chairs in rows and columns and Vidhya is explaining the app seated on a chair in front of them, facing opposite to the camera

Day 2 featured group lesson planning using VE’s Subodha platform and exploration of the IRIS tactile device for understanding diagrams. A WhatsApp-based discussion forum was introduced to enhance peer collaboration, followed by interactive VICT games to develop computational thinking through play.

teachers presented tactile math aids
This image shows a standing VE team member helping the teachers navigated through IRIS while they are seated in chairs surrounding a table while reading the braille in front of them and IRIS on the sides of the brailes on the table

On Day 3, teachers presented tactile math aids developed with volunteer support. Prof. Saswathi from Azim Premji University led a session on “Understanding Maps,” covering essential map reading skills for VI students. The workshop concluded with a certificate distribution and a focus group discussion on establishing an Accessible Resource Center (ARC) at IIIT Bangalore.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with teachers praising the interactive sessions, practical tools, and innovative approaches to inclusive education.