In a hear-warming story of how schools and adaptive teaching can create an enabling environment for students with disabilities contributing to their success, Smera Mehra, who has cerebral palsy, has bagged 85.4% in class 10th ICSE board exams.
Though the VIBGYOR schools, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where Smera has been studying for the past ten years, was earlier enrolled for special education, the management and teachers recommended that she should be part of regular learning.
The school altered the infrastructure, study materials, and other needs to include her in the regular classes. Smera did everything from taking notes to studying for exams mentally. She was allowed a scribe all through her school life.
Since her condition requires regular therapy to maintain her health condition, the school exempted her from attending daily cases. Her parents copied class notes from her peers with guidance from teachers and the school’s support staff.
“She surprised us with excellent results, despite the obvious constraints,” gushes Smera’s father Sharad Mehra, an IT consultant. “Smera has tremendous enthusiasm for academics, which is showing in the results. She is even more determined to do well in ISC. We are proud.” Smera’s mother Radhika Kochhar is a freelance photographer.
