In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with O. Aishwarya, a PhD scholar at IIIT Bangalore, working at the intersection of assistive technology, social sciences, and inclusive education.
Aishwarya’s research focuses on developing tactile art opportunities for children who are blind, with a goal to establish an independent grammar of tactile expression—distinct from visual interpretations. Through her work, she questions visual-centric notions of art and explores how texture, space, and sequencing redefine creative engagement for blind learners.
She also opens up about:
Studying in mainstream schools in Kerala and Karnataka, and the gaps in inclusive practices
Her experience of being denied access to swimming pools in Bangalore, despite being a trained swimmer
Missing out on geometry, lab work, and life skills due to a lack of accessible pedagogy
Learning braille, computer skills, and mobility much later, led entirely by family effort and timing
The shift she experienced when Azim Premji University proactively asked her about accommodations—an empowering first step.
This is a compelling conversation that challenges conventional ideas of access, participation, and the role of institutions in enabling inclusion.
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