Chennai: Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the Accessibility Research Centre (ARC) at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) earlier this month, marking a major step towards integrating accessibility and inclusivity into India's higher education system.

The centre, founded by Dr. Hemachandran Karah of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, along with Professors Saji K. Mathew and Nilesh J. Vasa, seeks to reimagine learning environments and academic policy through the lens of accessibility.

Speaking at the inauguration, Justice Chandrachud said the launch of ARC represents a confluence of technology, public policy dialogue, and the democratisation of accessibility norms that uphold dignity, liberty, and equality. He highlighted the role of technology and modern knowledge in ensuring access for persons with disabilities.

IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti reaffirmed the institute's commitment to inclusivity through its “Anaivarakum IITM” initiative, which has already led to innovations such as India's lightest active wheelchair and campus-wide mobility solutions.

The inauguration was followed by a four-day symposium, “En-Visioning Blind Ethos: Exploring Accessibility and Inclusion in Art,” which brought together artists, educators, and researchers to discuss creative accessibility.

ARC aims to embed accessibility as a fundamental academic principle, transforming research, teaching, and policy to ensure inclusive education for all.