Dreams don’t always follow an easy path — but determination can take you where you aspire to be. As reported in The Times of India, 17-year-old J Santhosh, who has 90% spinal muscular disability and cerebral palsy since birth, has secured admission to IIT Madras’ four-year BS programme in Data Science and Applications. After missing his school’s IIT Madras visit last year, Santhosh has now earned his place at the institute after clearing the qualifiers on his second attempt. The son of an auto driver, he discovered the programme through NGO TN Volunteers and chose a course that could largely be pursued from home. Through the ‘IIT-M for All’ initiative, he will receive in-person support from TN Volunteers during the initial stages, including AI training, while they also bear his first-year tuition expenses. His goal? To complete his degree and build a career in the IT sector. Read his story: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…. @iitmadras @iitm_bs @iitmforall #IITMadras #BreakingBarriers #DreamBig

What if accessibility in education meant more than ramps and wheelchairs? What if the disciplines themselves changed to include every learner? As reported in The Hindu, Dr Hemachandran Karah, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, believes that disciplines must “reform themselves from within” to become more disability-friendly. This notion led Dr Hemachandran, along with Prof. Saji K. Mathew and Prof. Nilesh J. Vasa, to establish the Accessibility Research Centre (ARC) at IIT Madras, driven by the need to support around 200 students with different disabilities on campus. Through its “Disability and Disciplines” (D and D) initiative, ARC is rethinking how teaching, fieldwork, workshops, syllabus formation and curricula can accommodate students with disabilities. The Centre has already developed five accessible courses, including Accessible Foundational STEM Education, Accessible Computer Science for the Hearing Impaired, Introduction to Disability Studies and Literary and Cultural Disability Studies. With Accessible Journalism for the Vision Impaired, Audio Description and Media Advocacy also in the pipeline, ARC is opening new possibilities for more inclusive learning. Because true accessibility begins when we rethink the system—not just the surroundings. Read Here: thehindu.com/news/national/t… @the_hindu @iitmadras #IITMadras #AccessibilityResearchCentre #InclusiveEducation #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleEducation

Innovation takes the field! 🏀🔥 IIT Madras extends its spirit of innovation into sports with the launch of Phiball — a brand-new three-team competitive sport created to bring a fresh dimension to team play. Played on a circular court with three teams and three baskets, Phiball keeps players constantly on their toes. Each team attacks two baskets while defending one, with the defensive basket rotating after every quarter. With speed, strategy, communication and quick decision-making at its core, the game challenges players to adapt continuously while staying sharp on the court. Featuring 7 players per team, three 8-minute quarters and 1–3 point scoring, Phiball blends athleticism, teamwork and tactical thinking. Launched ahead of National Sports Day, this new sporting format marks yet another way IIT Madras is pushing the boundaries of innovation. From the lab to the playing field, innovation knows no limits! 🚀🏀 @iitmadras @DoST_IITMadras #IITMadras #Phiball #NationalSportsDay #SportsInnovation #Innovation #Teamwork #NewSport #Sports