DU’s LSR inaugurates upgraded resource centre ‘Swavalamban’ for PwD students

Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), University of Delhi has inaugurated the upgraded resource centre “Swavalamban” for students with disabilities, offering a technologically improved environment. The upgraded centre includes advanced AI-based devices, modern assistive technology, including a refreshable braille display, magnifiers and software aimed at strengthening equitable access in higher education.

According to the official LSR College statement, LSR has the highest number of PwD students in Delhi University. The college has around 100 PwD students, of which 35 are visually impaired. The new centre enables accessibility and inclusive access for visually impaired students.

The planning and execution of the centre’s upgrade was led by Karuna Rajeev and Mahesh S. Panicker, ensuring that the infrastructure meets the academic and learning needs of PwD students.

The centre was inaugurated by Pankaj Arora, the chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), who served as the chief guest. The acting principal of LSR Kanika K Ahuja, welcomed attendees and emphasised LSR’s efforts to ensure barrier-free learning spaces for all students.

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LSR’s resource centre for disabled students

The new improvements support independent, dignified, and equitable access to knowledge for students with diverse disabilities. The upgraded centre now includes several enhancements as listed below:

• Hark Ai, an AI-based reading and translation device capable of handwriting recognition and real-time interpretation
• Refreshable Braille Displays (Orbit Reader 40), enabling tactile access to digital text
• Portable Video Magnifiers (Clover hand-held models) for students with low vision
• Digital Reading Systems such as Pearl with OpenBook for high-quality, rapid scanning and audio output
• Audiobook and AI-powered Voice Recorders to support multimodal learning
• Updated computer systems, ergonomic accessories, large-print keyboards, and specialised educational software, including JAWS 2026, Dolphin Supernova, Kurzweil 3000, and ABBYY FineReader 16.

“First conceptualised in 2012 and formally established in 2013 with funding and support from KPMG, Swavalamban had served as a cornerstone of the College’s disability support ecosystem. The Resource Centre had to be closed due to a lack of funding in 2020 and was reopened after COVID for short period in 2022. In 2025, with generous funding from an LSR alumna, the Centre underwent a comprehensive technology refresh—integrating assistive solutions for students who are blind, low vision, or have print and learning disabilities,” the official LSR statement reads.