Vision Empower Conducts PRAGYA Teacher Training Workshop for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment in Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 3: Vision Empower Trust, in collaboration with LTM CSR Foundation and Ennoble Social Innovation Foundation, conducted its third PRAGYA Teacher Training Workshop in Mumbai, bringing together 17 educators working with students with visual impairment. Held at The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, Tardeo, the workshop focused on strengthening teachers’ capacity to make STEM learning more accessible through inclusive pedagogy, assistive technology and emerging tools such as Artificial Intelligence.

The workshop provided teachers with practical exposure to literacy integration, accessible STEM pedagogy, assistive technologies, Artificial Intelligence and hands-on teaching-learning approaches. Teachers explored the importance of foundational skills including Braille, Nemeth Braille, computer use with screen readers, and Orientation and Mobility, alongside strategies for making Mathematics and Science more accessible. “At LTM, we believe that technology and AI should be enablers of inclusion, not new barriers to opportunity. Through Tech4Future, our endeavour is to empower those who may otherwise be at risk of being left behind in an increasingly technology- and AI-driven world. By strengthening the capabilities of educators working with visually impaired students, we are taking an important step towards making digital learning more accessible, inclusive and meaningful. When we equip teachers with the right knowledge, tools and assistive technologies, we enable every learner to participate with confidence, discover their potential and aspire to a future without limitations.” — Archana Sahay, Global Head – ESG & Sustainability, LTM A key focus was expanding academic opportunities for students with visual impairment, particularly in Mathematics and Science – subjects often perceived as highly visual and therefore not always actively encouraged for blind students. Teachers shared encouraging examples of high school students choosing Mathematics and Science, with Grade 10 students also preparing to take their board examinations on computers, including their Mathematics and Science papers. “Accessible education is about ensuring that students with visual impairment have the same opportunities to learn, participate and aspire as their peers. Strong literacy foundations, access to STEM learning, appropriate technology and confident teachers can significantly widen the academic and career pathways available to students.” – Supriya Dey, Co-Founder & Managing Trustee, Vision Empower The AI Skilling component introduced teachers to the fundamentals, opportunities and limitations of Artificial Intelligence. Teachers explored how AI can support accessible content creation, translation, concept explanation, worksheet generation and adaptation of learning materials for students with visual impairment. The hands-on STEM session, based on the 5E Learning Model – Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate, demonstrated how abstract STEM concepts can be made more accessible through tactile, experiential, and activity-based approaches. Through hands-on experiments and group activities, teachers experienced how each stage can be used to build curiosity, encourage exploration, develop conceptual understanding, apply learning in new contexts, and assess students’ understanding. Reflecting on the hands-on learning experience, Anita Tandel, Science Teacher, Smt. Kamala Mehta School for the Blind, Mumbai, said: “As a person with visual impairment, Science was always difficult for me to access. After using IRIS, an assistive device by Vision Empower, I was able to understand the model of a flower much more clearly.” Sharing her experience of the workshop, Shraddha Mohan Nivendkar, Mathematics Teacher, The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, Mumbai, said: “I learned a simple and tactile method to teach students with visual impairment about line symmetry and symmetrical shapes. The AI skilling session was also enriching and helped us understand the importance of using AI consciously. Through initiatives such as PRAGYA, the partners aim to strengthen educators’ capacity to use accessible teaching practices, assistive technologies and experiential learning approaches that enable students with visual impairment to participate more meaningfully in STEM education. About LTM CSR Foundation LTM CSR Foundation is committed to creating meaningful social impact through education, skills development, digital inclusion, and community partnerships. Its CSR initiatives focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized communities while promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. Through its Digital Learning for All initiatives, LTM CSR Foundation is expanding access to STEM labs and digital learning opportunities for students across India. To know more: https://www.ltm.com/services/esg/social About Ennoble Social Innovation Foundation Ennoble Social Innovation Foundation is a Section 8 non-profit organisation working to transform government schools into future-ready learning ecosystems. Its approach combines school infrastructure improvement with STEAM education, teacher capacity building, student development and community ownership to enable active, experiential and sustainable learning. To know more: https://ennoble.in/ About Vision Empower Vision Empower is a not-for-profit organisation committed to making STEM education accessible for children with visual impairments. Through accessible content, teacher capacity building, assistive technologies and experiential learning resources, Vision Empower supports students and educators across India. To know more: Vision Empower | Inclusive STEM Education for Visually Impaired Children