Indian edtech yet to open up to tech for the disabled

Ayush, a child with down syndrome based in Delhi, shifted to online learning after his school shut down temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photo credit: Avaz

The transition, however, was not easy. School was not just a place of learning for Ayush, but also somewhere he could be himself without prejudice.

“We don’t have an inclusive society where special kids can be a part of the social structure along with the others,” Surbhi, Ayush’s elder sister, tells Tech in Asia.

Initially, a parent or guardian would have to assist Ayush with Zoom video sessions and multiple assignments. Ayush is now more or less well versed with e-learning apps.

Adapting to the change was a bigger challenge than teaching him how to use a tablet or computer, Surbhi admits.

Millions of children around the world were forced to shift to online education amid the pandemic. For children with disabilities, in particular, the transition has been exceedingly difficult.

Photo credit: 123RF

These challenges range from a lack of in-person assistance, personalized learning programs, assistive equipment at home, and access to tools such as quality smartphones and personal computers to insufficient awareness about online alternatives.

It is important to note that the disability spectrum is wide, and courses, content, and trainers have to be personalized to individual cases. Zoom classes may work for certain disabled groups but they may not for others.

According to a report by The Wire, disabled children in India were already at a disadvantage, having an illiteracy rate of 45% – much higher than the average of 26% in the country. The report also notes that disabled children are also part of a large out-of-school segment and are more likely to drop out.

See also: Behind the rise of Google Classroom in Indonesia

How inclusive is Indian edtech?

India is estimated to have more than 7.8 million children with disabilities. Yet there is surprisingly little discussion around inclusivity in online education in the country despite an exponential rise of edtech firms and their valuations in the last couple of years, following lockdown restrictions.

Enabling edtech for disabilities