Unlocking Access: Can Audio Replace Odia Braille in Rural India’s Post-Pandemic Shift to Online Learning?

The pandemic has reshaped our perspective on education, not just in mainstream schools but also in special education settings. There’s been a widespread shift towards AI and online learning. Within the realm of special education, the shift to online instruction for students with visual disabilities predominantly centered around audio cues. Despite the convenience of audio learning, the importance of Braille education became evident during this transition. This paper provides a comprehensive analytical study on reading comprehension and audio comprehension among students with visual disabilities. It delves into why audio comprehension is often preferred, while emphasizing the ongoing importance of Braille. The objective of this initiative is to promote an inclusive learning environment that proves more effective and fruitful for individuals with visual disabilities.