Workshop Overview

The Reading Without Seeing (RWS) workshop was organized by EnAble India at the Institute for the Blind, Chandigarh, on 28th July 2025. This was the first-ever awareness workshop conducted by EnAble India at this location, aimed at empowering persons with visual impairment—particularly students with low vision and blindness—to explore assistive technologies that enable independent reading and digital accessibility.

The session was facilitated by Adil Mir and Rajesh Y, representing EnAble India’s Low Vision and Digital Literacy initiatives. The workshop focused on creating awareness about various assistive tools, applications, and platforms that support accessible reading, education, and employability.

Workshop Sessions

The workshop began with an Inauguration and Introduction session lasting 45 minutes, where the facilitators, Adil Mir and Rajesh Y, introduced themselves and shared an overview of EnAble India’s vision and initiatives in empowering persons with visual impairment. The participants, who were students from classes 6th to 8th at the Institute for the Blind, Chandigarh, were warmly welcomed and briefed about the purpose of the Reading Without Seeing (RWS) workshop. The session also featured a short video on the journey of EnAble India, which inspired the young participants and helped them understand how technology can support independent learning and reading.

Following this, a Demonstration of Assistive Devices session was conducted for about 150 minutes. During this interactive segment, the facilitators showcased various assistive devices used by persons with visual impairment. Students were given the opportunity to touch, feel, and try out the devices, helping them understand how each tool can make reading and daily tasks more accessible. The facilitators also addressed their questions and explained the importance of using the right device for individual needs.

The next session introduced participants to Computer Applications for Accessibility, where they explored how computers can be used as learning and reading tools. The facilitators demonstrated key accessibility features such as screen readers, magnifiers, and other reading applications that enable visually impaired individuals to operate computers independently. The students showed keen interest in learning how to use these features and expressed curiosity about using computers in their studies.

In the subsequent Introduction to Android Applications session, the facilitators demonstrated mobile accessibility settings and apps that support reading and learning. Using simple, relatable examples, they explained Android features like TalkBack, Select to Speak, and Magnification Gestures, encouraging students to explore how smartphones can become powerful learning companions.

The final session of the day focused on EnAble India’s Digital Platforms, where students were introduced to online learning platforms and digital resources developed by EnAble India. The facilitators explained how these platforms can help students continue learning beyond the classroom and stay connected to digital literacy initiatives as they grow.

Key Outcomes

• Enhanced awareness among students about assistive devices and accessible digital tools.
• Hands-on exposure to computer and mobile accessibility features.
• Increased curiosity and motivation among participants to learn digital skills.
• Strengthened collaboration between Institute for the Blind, Chandigarh, and EnAble India for future training programs.

Conclusion

The RWS Workshop at Institute for the Blind, Chandigarh, successfully introduced students from classes 6th to 8th to a wide range of assistive technologies and accessibility concepts. Being the first awareness workshop by EnAble India in this region, it laid the foundation for future collaborations and training programs focused on empowering visually impaired learners through technology and inclusion.