Accessibility Research Centre

Welcome to The Accessibility Research Centre

At The Accessibility Research Centre, we are dedicated to addressing the intersection of disability and academic disciplines. We believe that current systems and fields of knowledge are often unprepared to accommodate individuals with disabilities, but we are committed to changing that. Our focus is on tackling the complex Disability and Discipline (D&D) nexus—the existing gaps in our everyday knowledge of disabled people's mobility across disciplines and the latter’s inherent capacity to uphold the same.

The ARC was established with the mission to reform learning environments, both in schools and universities, by developing solutions that go beyond individually oriented’ assistive technology solutions. While tools like screen readers can be helpful, they do not address the systemic nature of disability exclusion. We hope to foster truly inclusive research, teaching, learning, and collaborative environments. We envision a future where accessibility is deeply integrated into the core of every academic life.

Our Vision

To create an inclusive world where knowledge and learning is accessible to all. By transforming all disciplines, digital systems, and immersive technologies to meet the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities, we hope to foster true equality across places of learning, cultural institutions and public spaces.

Our Mission

At the Accessibility Research Centre (ARC), our mission is to address the gap between disability and discipline by making education, digital systems, and public spaces more accessible. Through teacher training, innovative technologies, and immersive solutions, we are working to ensure that all individuals, regardless of impairments, have equal access to knowledge and true empowerment.

Our Focus

Reforming Accessibility Across Disciplines

At the heart of ARC’s work are three key pillars

Teacher Training for Inclusive Learning

Our goal is to raise awareness among educators about the challenges disabled students face from within their disciplines. By providing specialized training for university and school teachers, we aim to create an environment where educators understand the specific needs of disabled students in fields as varying as philosophy, chemistry, computer sciences and music. Through tailored tutorials and workshops, we help educators develop strategies to make their teaching more inclusive, ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed. To the extent possible, we make sure that our tutors are intimately familiar with conditions such as blindness, which is the focus of their current - discipline specific tutorial.

Digital Information Systems for Accessibility

We believe digital information systems have the power to transform accessibility beyond the classroom. By investing in advanced technology—such as specialized hardware, software, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovative processes—we aim to make public spaces like museums, libraries, community centers, and gymnasiums more inclusive. Our work focuses on creating digital overlays that enhance accessibility for disabled individuals, ensuring that they can access information and cultural resources that they have been historically kept away from.

Augmented and Virtual Reality for Knowledge Access

Our research is also pushing the boundaries of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) to create new ways for disabled individuals to engage with knowledge. We are developing immersive AR and VR environments that allow for novel, interactive experiences tailored to diverse learning needs. By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship, we are building a library of knowledge, things, descriptions, and extended realities that we hope will push the boundaries of inclusive learning.

The Future Of Accessibility

Our ongoing research continues to push the boundaries of technology and education, with plans to expand into AI-driven personalized learning and further integrate disability studies into academic curriculum. We are committed to creating inclusive solutions that fine tune disciplines and learning environments at large.

Team Members

Dr. Hemachandran Karah, Co-founder of The ARC

Dr. Karthika J

Manager, The ARC

Swikriti Sanyal

Research Associate, The ARC

PhD Candidate, IIT Madras

Subisha K R

Research Associate, The ARC

PhD Candidate, IIT Madras

Muhammed Sadiq T

Research Associate, The ARC

PhD Candidate, IIT Madras

Yuvaraj

Office staff, The ARC

Sanjay Prasannan S

Intern, The ARC

IIT Madras

Rahul Kumar mahamalla

Intern, The ARC

IIT Madras

Janarthanan Vasanth

Intern, The ARC

IIT Madras

Collage of group photos on a vibrant campus, reflecting a strong sense of community and collaboration. With scenes from meetings around tables to outdoor gatherings on steps, the backdrop resembles a responsive design that highlights the inclusivity central to our accessible website and modern architecture.

Welcome to The Accessibility Research Centre

Our Vision

Our Mission