Meet Nibin Mathew

Nibin’s mission goes beyond accessibility and user experience—it drives everything he does. As a seasoned expert in technology, a global speaker, and an accessibility specialist, he uses innovation to break barriers and challenge ableism. He holds a master’s degree in Human-Centered Digital Design from IIIT Bangalore. His passion for sports is equally remarkable, becoming the first Indian blind tennis player to win a medal at the IBSA World Games 2023 in London.

Recent activities

National and International Awards

The best sportsperson with disabilities for the 2023 Kerala State Award.

Issued by Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala · Nov 2023 This recognition takes the form of a prestigious State Award, signifying high appreciation from the Government of Kerala. The official announcement was made on December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023.

award given to Sri. Nibin Mathew by the Social Justice Department in 2023. The inscription mentions World Disability Day

Historic Bronze Medal Win - IBSA World Games 2023

In August 2023, Nibin Mathew made history as the first blind tennis athlete from India to win the nation’s first-ever blind tennis medal at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham, London. Competing in his debut international event, Nibin’s bronze medal win stands as a defining moment for both him and the country. The IBSA World Games, a prestigious global event for blind sports, added extra significance to this extraordinary achievement.

a bronze medal from the IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) World Games 2023, held in Birmingham. The design features embossed details with the event name prominently displayed at the center

G3ict DARE Scholarship Recipient (2021)

In 2021, Nibin Mathew was selected as one of 40 recipients globally for the Digital Accessibility Rights Education (DARE) Scholarship, awarded by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict). This scholarship is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities who are passionate about advocating for digital accessibility and supporting their journey to becoming certified professionals in the field. Read more about this award at the official website of G3ICT.

dare academy logo

First National Blind Tennis Champion (2020)

In February 2020, Nibin Mathew made history by becoming the first-ever National Champion of blind tennis in India, during the inaugural Sound Ball Championship, organized by the Indian Blind Sports Association. This milestone achievement marked a significant moment for the sport in India and highlighted Nibin’s pioneering role in blind tennis. Read more about in the news section

 Nibin Mathew, proudly holding a tennis racket. He is recognized as the First National Blind Tennis Champion (2020). Wearing a cap and a sports shirt with Bosch Global Software Technologies written on it, his smile reflects his remarkable achievement in blind tennis

Projects

In 2021, Nibin was selected to embark on an innovation journey with Innovation by Youth with Disabilities (I-YwD), a groundbreaking initiative by the Government of Kerala. Conceived by the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and implemented by the National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH), I-YwD was launched in March 2019. The program aims to identify individuals with disabilities who are passionate and self-driven to create innovative solutions, providing them with an inclusive platform to effect meaningful change in society. As part of this journey, Nibin has been actively engaged in various projects aimed at promoting inclusion, particularly in the field of sports. Collaborating with multiple stakeholders, he is working to drive social change and remove disparities through his innovative ideas and dedication to inclusion.

Nibin began his journey with screen readers over a decade ago and has since trained professionals, students, and non-profit organizations in their use. His extensive experience in both in-person and virtual training has helped countless individuals improve their digital literacy and gain confidence in using assistive technology. Over the years, Nibin has worked with various groups, delivering impactful training that has bridged the gap between technology and accessibility for the visually impaired. As part of his master's degree in "Digital Society" at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B), Nibin collaborated with the Center for Accessibility in the Global South and Vision Empower to conduct influential research. His work focused on creating a comprehensive digital literacy learning kit specifically designed for visually impaired students and their parents. This research addressed a critical gap in technology adoption for the visually impaired, offering early intervention and tools to enhance their education and employability. Nibin’s research revealed that many visually impaired students only seek screen reader training after graduation, when they are preparing for employment in the public or private sector. Recognizing this, he developed a digital literacy kit that introduces assistive technologies early in the educational process. This kit includes a variety of activities and real-world examples to help students expand their understanding of technology and the world around them. The 10 modules cover essential topics such as computer hardware, the Windows operating system, browser use, and internet navigation, all presented in an engaging, gamified format. The project was designed to be scalable across different languages, a vital consideration in India’s culturally and linguistically diverse landscape. Today, this resource is available in over five languages through the Subodha LMS, offered by Vision Empower, and continues to empower visually impaired students nationwide

During Nibin's interactions with children with visual impairments while delivering computer lessons, particularly on internet-related topics, students expressed challenges in understanding user interface (UI) controls and navigation patterns. Many blind individuals, even today, are uncertain about how to interact with different controls such as buttons, links, radio buttons, or complex grid patterns on websites. To address this issue, Nibin developed a small yet impactful web tool that provides an interactive learning experience for students who are beginners in technology and web navigation. This tool is designed to help students understand various UI controls, their roles, keyboard behavior patterns, and how they appear, all through auditory feedback. When a control is focused, the tool reads aloud the name and function of each control, guiding students through their interactions step-by-step. What sets this tool apart is its ability to function without an internet connection, making it accessible in remote villages across India for digital literacy education. Though it is a simple concept, the tool has proven invaluable, especially in the first few weeks of learning, as it introduces the keyboard interaction model to visually impaired students. Since they lack visual affordances, the tool provides relevant descriptions and uses alternative modalities to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

News Highlights

Visually challenged youth in Wayanad scripts a success story in blind tennis

Nibin Mathew wins bronze medal in blind tennis at the World Games of International....

24 Sep 2023

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Sound-ball: the tennis game breaking stereotypes about the blind in India

Ready?" Nibin Mathew shouts out to his opponent who is standing beyond the net on the tennis court. "Yes," comes the ringing reply,

12 Oct 2020

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There’s no blindsiding this 25-year-old Bengaluru student on a tennis court

Playing tennis could be hard for the blind even if the ball makes a tinkling sound when it hits a surface..

29 Feb 2020

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Kerala State awards for persons with disabilities announced

The award for the best sportsperson with disability will be shared by Muhammed Nisar A.P., Nibin Mathew, ...

18 Nov 2023

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