Delhi University’s LSR inaugurates upgraded ‘Swavalamban’ facility for PwD learners.

Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) at the University of Delhi has launched its updated resource centre, which is Swavalamban for disabled students. The facility now has modern AI and assistive technology which includes magnifiers, braille displays, and specialised software. These are all designed to provide students with fair access to education.

LSR reports that they have the highest number of students with disabilities in Delhi University. There are around 100 such students, 35 of whom have visual impairments. The updated centre will help these students by boosting accessibility and developing a more inclusive learning setting.

Karuna Rajeev and Mahesh S. Panicker directed the planning and execution of the upgrade. This ensures that the centre addresses the academic needs of students with disabilities.

The centre was opened by Pankaj Arora who is the chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The acting principal, Kanika K. Ahuja welcomed guests and highlighted LSR's commitment to setting equal learning environments for all students.

LSR has improved its resource centre for students with disabilities. The new system allows students to get information on their own, with respect and fairly. The updated centre now has these tools:

A reading and translation tool called Hark AI uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise handwriting and translate it instantly.

Braille displays that allow users to feel digital text are called Orbit Reader 40.

Students with poor vision can benefit from using Clover portable video magnifiers.

For fast, high-quality scans and audio reading, Pearl uses OpenBook Digital Reading Systems.

Voice recorders with AI and audiobooks to support various learning styles.

More recent computers, cosy equipment, large-print keyboards, and specialised software such as ABBYY FineReader 16, Dolphin Supernova, Kurzweil 3000, and JAWS 2026.

In accordance with the official LSR announcement, the college first considered the centre in 2012.  In 2013, it began operations based on KPMG's recommendation. Swavalamban has long been an advocate for students with disabilities. 

The centre closed in 2020 because it lacked money and reopened briefly in 2022 after COVID. A significant donation from an LSR alumnus in 2025 enabled the college to upgrade the centre with new technology for students who are blind, have low vision, or struggle with reading or learning.