Cluster Training Modal

Winner:Vidya Bhawan Society and V-Shesh – Early Stage

Persons with Disabilities in India face extreme barriers in accessing even the most basic services including education. These barriers start from lack of physical access at aanganwaadis/ playschools and continue at schools offering primary and secondary education. At schools – students face the ignominy of having to seek help from parents, teachers and fellow students for even the smallest tasks. This is further complicated by lack of trained teachers, accessible content, assessments and support systems available to students without disabilities. Proposed innovation is in the nature of applied tech solution where easy to use existing technology is being used to make standards (for accessible premises) available to a potentially large number of organizational users. In its most basic form – this would be an App (usable on Android devices) with the capability to store data on cloud that can be used with simple training on accessibility assessment. Proposed solution will be offered as a service available to organisations/ institutions whether in Government, Public or Private Sector starting with educational institutions. These institutions would include primary and secondary schools as well as Universities and Colleges. This would also be useful for institutions like ITIs, Institutions offering diploma and Institutions for teacher training among others. In its first version, the app will focus on physical infrastructure and cover Disabilities in movement, vision and hearing. Physical accessibility is the single biggest barrier that holds back Persons with Disabilities from accessing services and entitlements including education across all levels. Proposed solution will enable a large number of organisations to work on identifying barriers as a start to making their environments accessible.

About Organisation

Established in 1931 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Vidya Bhawan (VB) seeks to establish linkages between education, society and humanity. VB hopes to shape students and staff as responsible, pluralist global citizens sensitive to welfare of others and the environment. VB includes seven teaching institutions directly serving over 4000 students from poor and deprived backgrounds. Through our 3 Centres for environment, education and agriculture, we enhance the lives of tens of thousands of govt. school students, farmers and local community. The unique mix of institutions provides the students with opportunities where they can utilise their potential and learn at their own pace.