India representative | World 5th ranker | Inclusion through athleticism | Heading to World Cup 🎾

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 organisations 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. 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. Nibin's research revealed that many visually impaired students only seek screen reader training after graduation. Recognising this, he developed a digital literacy kit that introduces assistive technologies early in the educational process. 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, students expressed challenges in understanding user interface (UI) controls and navigation patterns. 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 behaviour 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 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 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.