The Centre for Disability Research and Training (CDRT), Kirori Mal College was invited by Prof. Angelie Multani the Dean of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, IIT Delhi, to conduct a sensitisation cum awareness workshop “ANTARDRISHTI” for the students of their institution.This workshop which was held on 27th August, 2025 aimed to foster disability awareness and help students develop greater understanding of disability and its societal implications through a set of interactive activities.
The event commenced with Ms. Anoushka Augustine, from the Office of accessible education, IIT Delhi warmly welcoming Prof Someshwar Sati and 18 students from CDRT. In her welcome address she underscored the need for conducting disability awareness programmes in technical institutions as in such institutions the numbers of disabled students are few and far between. The workshop began with the screening of a disability awareness video titled IAN. The video acted as a catalyst for a thought-provoking discussion on the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and the role of society in shaping those experiences. This discussion which was conducted by Kenesha S. Thomas effectively set the tone for the subsequent segments of the workshop.
The second segment featured a skit titled “The Big Lie”, performed by students from the Centre for Disability Research and Training (CDRT), KMC. The performance underscored the importance of disability awareness and challenged common misconceptions surrounding disability.
The third segment comprised a series of simulation activities designed to provide a over 50 participants with deeper insight into the daily lives of individuals who are deaf or blind. Conducted by Twisha Rajput these exercises highlighted how disabled people rely on senses other than sight in the case of the blind or hearing in the case of the deaf to carry out their day to day activities. Participants were guided through tasks that emphasized the use of touch and smell, promoting teamwork and cohesion while allowing them to appreciate the resilience and adaptability required in vulnerable environments. These activities offered participants a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
This was followed by a lecture on universal design for the learning of sciences by Raghav Khandelwal. In his lecture, hel outlined the meaning and significance of universal design for learning and went about explaining how it could be effectively deployed for the teaching of the sciences.
Simultaneously, another set of activities were conducted in the common area of the IIT Lecture Hall Complex, where over 200 participants were blindfolded and engaged in games such as musical chairs, football, and board games. The objective was to encourage them to navigate their familiar surroundings without using their sight and relying on alternative modes of perception. Board games like chess, snakes and ladders, Scrabble, and playing cards were also included to demonstrate how visually impaired individuals enjoy playing these games. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the workshop as enriching, impactful, and eye-opening. By integrating educational content, interactive exercises, and thought-provoking performances, the workshop successfully delivered a meaningful and memorable learning experience.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Vikram Singh, faculty advisor , Office of Accessible Education, IIT Delhi. In his closing remarks professor Singh lauded the efforts of
CDRT and underscored the great contribution that the centre was making in fostering inclusion on campuses across country and empowering persons with disabilities in society.
