Dr. MGR Institute of Special Education & Research, Dr. MGR Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired, Ramapuram organised seminar on Jan.17 themed ‘Standardization of Products Useful to Individuals with Disability and Way Forward’ to commemorate the 109th birth anniversary of Dr. M. G. Ramachandran, the founder. The seminar was graced by the chief guest, Ranjit Pratap, Industrialist and Managing Director of Rayala Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa, Professor and Head, Department of Physical Medicine             and Rehabilitation, AIIMS, New Delhi, delivered the Keynote Address. Dr. Ajish K. Abraham, Dean and Professor, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, spoke on BIS standards in hearing and audiology.
Kalpana Rao, Deputy Director, Vidya Sagar, Chennai, addressed the standardization of products used by AAC users. Dr. Sreepriya, Regional Director (i/c), National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Chennai, presented on Standardization of products useful to individuals with visual impairment. Dr. Nachiketa Rout, Director, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Muttukadu, discussed Standardization of Products used by Persons with Multiple Disabilities and the way forward. Dr. Bharti Kaushik, Professor, MPD, CIET, NCERT, presented the Digital Accessibility Initiative by NCERT. Prof. Rangasayee, Former Director, AYJNIHH, Mumbai, spoke on Disability Informatics, highlighting the role of data, technology, and information systems in strengthening disability-related services and policy planning.
The panel discussion concluded the seminar by integrating multidisciplinary perspectives from academia, policy, and practice, and outlined a strategic and collaborative way forward for standardization and inclusion.
The seminar underscored the institution’s belief that standardization was not merely technical compliance, but a pathway to dignity, independence, and equal participation for individuals with disabilities. By bringing together diverse expertise, the programme strengthened awareness, informed practice, and contributed meaningfully to the evolving landscape of inclusive development.