The agenda focused on foundational gaps in the current special education ecosystem and presented actionable AI and tech interventions for individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. The event also featured the release of two whitepapers and four bespoke tech solutions, aimed at transforming inclusive education."

AI or Human – Who Has the Edge?

Dr. Venu Govindaraju, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Vice President of Research at the University at Buffalo, opened with a provocative keynote titled "AI or Human – Who Has the Edge?". He illustrated the evolving capabilities of Narrow AI, using real-life examples such as AI’s superior ability to decipher handwritten postal addresses.

Among the groundbreaking tools he introduced were:

  • AI-generated flashcards for speech therapy, tailored to individual learning needs

  • Storyboarding applications for building narrative comprehension
  • “Virtual Mirrors” – a deepfake-powered tool to train children on accurate lip movements for speech development
  • Learning Through Play: Making Math Accessible

 

Learning Through Play: Making Math Accessible

Dr. Manohar Swaminathan, Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research India, presented the second keynote titled “Lucid Design for Accessibility in the Global South.” He emphasized how tactile learning tools—like card and board games—can effectively teach math and reasoning to visually impaired children, bypassing the limitations of traditional curricula. His work illustrated the power of play-based observation to foster real-world analytical skills.

 

3. In‑Depth Roundtables

Early Identification & Support

Experts discussed early detection of learning disabilities, evaluating existing educational frameworks, family support systems, and the availability and accessibility of assistive tech 

 

Tech Integration in Education

Focus areas included AI-powered sign‑language generation, speech evaluation tools, and the identification of gaps for future breakthroughs.

Roundtable 1: Early Detection and Support

This session focused on the early identification of learning disabilities and the pathways for timely intervention. The panel explored:

  • Effectiveness of current support systems
  • Role of family and educators in intervention
  • Gaps in access to assistive technologies
Roundtable 2: Tech Integration in Special Education

This discussion emphasized:

  • AI-powered Sign Language Generation and its contextual sensitivity
  • Automated tools for speech evaluation and correction
  • A critical look at current assistive devices and areas for technological breakthroughs

 

Tech Showcase: Innovations in Assistive Learning

Language Technologies Research Center (LTRC) Projects

LTRC presented several tools designed for speech improvement and language accessibility:

  • Speech-to-Speech Translation and Text-to-Speech with prosody
  • Ucchar e-Sudharak – a real-time pronunciation correction app for schoolchildren, using teacher feedback
  • Vyakaran e-Shikshak – an oral English grammar evaluator

 

CVIT’s Solutions for Visual and Hearing Impairments

CVIT’s innovations catered to a wide range of sensory challenges:

  • AI Assistant – A voice-activated tool delivering real-time environmental awareness
  • AAVAZ – A lip movement-to-speech synthesis system
  • Audio Book Platform – Converts text to multilingual audio content
  • LipMOOC – An AI-powered course using synthetic facial animations to teach lip-reading
  • Advanced Sign Language Generation – Includes gloss-to-sign conversion and real-time fluid sign articulation
  • StethoSpeech – A stethoscope-based wearable that captures vibrations to generate speech for those with vocal impairments

 

Other Assistive Technologies

  • Exo-Suit –  A lightweight, safe exoskeleton to aid lower-body rehabilitation
  • Schooling Landscape –  A digital platform for families of children with developmental challenges
  • Akhar –  A Braille-compatible word processor supporting multiple Indian languages

 

Path Forward: Collaborations and Roadmaps

The symposium culminated with a detailed plan for cross-sector partnerships and innovation pipelines:

  • Child Apperception Test (CAT) integration with NGOs for better field assessments
  • Health-Tech Synergy – Pairing anemia screening with community drives
  • Data Collection Initiatives  – For ongoing HTP and early-intervention programs

In academia, the findings and tools will enrich IIIT-H’s Design for Social Innovation course, empowering students to tackle real-world inclusive education problems.

On the technology transfer front, key collaborations are in motion:

  • Deployment of sign-language generation tech with Ashray Akruti and Qualcomm
  • Pilot projects to test innovations in school environments
  • Continued support from Prof. Chiranjeevi’s research team to scale solutions

Why This Matters

This summit marks a pivotal moment: it demonstrates a clear blueprint for merging academic research, grassroots NGOs, and industry to deliver accessible education solutions. With whitepapers, pilot programs, and educational pipelines in place, the vision of inclusive, tech‑empowered learning is closer than ever to wide realization.

Conclusion: Building Inclusive Futures

The Special Education Symposium was more than an academic exercise—it was a step toward a collective, actionable blueprint for inclusive education. With deep research, field insights, and human-centered design at its core, the initiative has laid a strong foundation for scalable, equitable learning environments powered by AI and emerging technologies.

The road ahead is collaborative, and the impact promises to be transformational.

Source: https://blogs.iiit.ac.in/special-education-symposium/