New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Jun 18: In a landmark step toward inclusive education and social justice, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and NCERT.

The agreement aims to uplift 3,000 Divyang (differently-abled) individuals through accessible education and holistic development.

Under this initiative, the department has partnered with 300 NGOs to support the educational and personal growth of Divyang students. NIOS will facilitate examinations in simplified and accessible formats tailored to the needs of students with disabilities.

Meanwhile, NCERT will provide easy-to-understand textbooks and learning materials designed to enhance the skills and confidence of Divyang learners.

The collaboration aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes equal educational opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities. The policy advocates for independent learning systems, accessible infrastructure, and inclusive curriculum design.

Officials also announced that within the next year, all educational institutions involved in this initiative will be equipped with accessible toilets for Divyang students. The government is working toward a new Divyang policy that merges the frameworks of 2016 and 2020, aiming to create a more responsive and inclusive ecosystem.

The initiative also explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide personalized learning and support tools for Divyang students. Authorities stressed the importance of building a sensitive and inclusive society that recognizes the potential of all 21 categories of disabilities recognized under Indian law.

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