Campus Times | Lucknow

Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University is setting a new benchmark in inclusive and technology-driven education by enabling visually impaired students to appear for semester examinations using laptops instead of traditional scribes.

The initiative, considered one of the first of its kind in India, is aimed at promoting independence, digital skills and self-confidence among visually impaired students while preparing them for technology-oriented careers and competitive environments.

During the May 2026 semester examinations, 12 visually impaired students are writing exams using laptops, compared to just two students in January 2026. The six-fold increase reflects growing confidence among students in adopting technology-based assessment systems over conventional scribe support.

The initiative has been implemented with the support of Help The Blind Foundation under a previously signed MoU with the university. Students are being provided with laptops, screen reader software, technical assistance and on-site support to ensure smooth and independent examination experiences.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Singh visited the examination hall and interacted with students regarding their experience with screen readers, question accessibility, answer writing and time management. Students shared that the laptop-based system allowed them to express their thoughts more clearly and complete exams with greater ease and confidence.

Prof. Singh said the initiative is not merely a change in examination format but a transformative step towards empowering visually impaired students through technology and self-reliance. He added that digital proficiency is now essential as most employment sectors and competitive examinations are technology-driven.

Dr. Vijay Shankar Sharma, who initiated the programme, said the system has significantly improved students’ writing speed, efficiency, confidence and time management. Students also noted that unlike the traditional scribe system, laptops allow them to answer independently without communication barriers or delays.

The university administration said more visually impaired students are expected to opt for laptop-based examinations in the upcoming December 2026 semester exams, and efforts are underway to expand and streamline the facility further.

Controller of Examinations Rajesh Kumar Mishra was also present during the inspection and described the initiative as a progressive model for inclusive and self-reliant education in higher institutions.