IIT Delhi-incubated startup RLF has developed a 'Tactile STEM Learning Kit' for Visually Impaired Children
A non-profit startup called Raised Lines Foundation (RLF), incubated at IIT Delhi, has unveiled a groundbreaking ‘Tactile STEM Learning Kit’ tailored for visually impaired children. The comprehensive kit encompasses a GEOMKIT in collaboration with Vistrit Gyan, a Mathematics Geometry Encyclopedia in partnership with XRCVC, Mumbai, a Science Primer developed with Saksham Trust, and JoJo blocks crafted in partnership with Microsoft Research, Bengaluru.
Professor M. Balakrishnan, Chairman of RLF, remarked that this launch provides visually impaired individuals in India with access to STEM learning materials and kits that are on par with the best globally. The JoJo blocks, which enable children with vision impairments to grasp numeracy concepts through play, were conceptualized at Microsoft Research and meticulously engineered by RLF.
Dr. Sam Taraporevala, Executive Director of Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), emphasized the importance of tactile shapes for visualizing geometric patterns, making it essential for blind and low vision individuals. “GEOMKIT is designed such that students with visual disabilities can easily construct embossed geometrical constructions independently. In fact, all the geometrical constructions as per NCERT Classes VI – X syllabus have been successfully made using GEOMKIT” said Mr. Anupam Garg, Founder of Vistrit Gyan.
RLF, the first non-profit startup incubated at IIT Delhi, focuses on developing accessible learning and support materials for visually impaired learners. The organization’s primary objective is to enable visually impaired students to pursue their desired careers. Through various tactile books, kits, and programs, RLF has impacted thousands of beneficiaries across India.
