https://thebastion.co.in/politics-and/from-standing-outside-classrooms-to-learning-within-them-inclusive-education-for-children-with-learning-disabilities-in-india/
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/dyslexia-and-creativity-what-you-need-to-know

‘Right steps undertaken for the right reasons lead to good outcomes over time.’ Providing the right facilities to everyone, including students with special needs, contributes to the well-being of a nation.

Specific learning disabilities are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that causes persistent difficulty in reading and writing (Dyslexia) or performing mathematical problems (Dyscalculia) despite normal intelligence and conventional schooling. It includes other similar disabilities like developmental aphasia and dyspraxia. Due to a lack of awareness among parents, teachers, and the general public, these individuals are labeled as academically poor, dull, lazy, and disobedient. Gradually, provisions for these individuals have grown in India with time.

Schemes- the rules brought forth

Schemes play a crucial role in solving many important problems that beset the society. Launching important schemes for children with learning disabilities widens the attention to the issue by reaching out to everyone.These hidden disorders remained ignored in the PwD Act until 2016 when Indian policy frameworks along with defining specific learning disabilities also ensured affirmative action measures for persons with learning disabilities in higher education and job opportunities. However, it again lacked standardized assessment and diagnosis procedures.

Post that, in 2018, a bill arose to identify children with learning disabilities and to support them in education and other matters concerned. The bill contains detailed instructions on the various facilities that need to be taken into action. It informs how local self-governments must conduct an annual survey to identify the number of persons with learning difficulties and also institute mass awareness campaigns to educate the public about its cause and remedial measures. Further, they have included guidelines for certification of children with specific learning disabilities and establishing national and regional centers for specific learning disabilities.

Inclusive education- the dynamic, ever-evolving approach

Inclusive education believes in valuing student differences and supporting their learning needs to the great extent possible. Much needs to be done to ensure that each afflicted child gets an opportunity to achieve his or her full academic potential in regular mainstream schools.
The Indian constitution secures the educational rights of children with disabilities. Article 15(1) and (2) states that there should be no discrimination against any Indian citizen, including individuals with learning disabilities. Likewise, Article 29(2) provides that no citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the state or receiving aid out of state funds. India has been successful in implementing these educational laws irrespective of the conditions of a child.

Education boards like CBSE and ICSE have taken various initiatives to facilitate their educational needs- reading out question papers to students with Dyslexia, allowing writers in exams, offering grace marks in one or two subjects, exempting spelling errors, and permitting the use of calculators are some provisions available to the students while attempting exams.

To give equal educational facilities, training programs for teachers had to be set up. Considering these issues, ALDI( Association for Learning Disabilities India) helps the student community with their learning problems and their parents, teachers, professionals involved, and social workers. Similarly, INTESOL India offers a specialized course on classroom Learning Disabilities and Special Needs. This course is dedicated for aspiring teachers who are willing to teach children with special needs. Vidhyanidhi Education Society in India also aims to produce skilled teachers through its certificate course in learning disabilities.

Awareness programs- the step that leads to change

Having mentioned the legal provisions, the first step towards change is creating awareness which leads to the second step of acceptance. Just like how learning disabilities are invisible, many of the general public is unaware of these disabilities.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has been organizing webinars related to Dyslexia and other learning disorders, creating awareness among the people. The organization seeks to put forward a society that could break the stigma around these disabilities by creating a robust support system for the kids from an early stage. Independently too few states in India have contributed to taking measures to provide support to these individuals which could work as ‘support system to give a cushion to such children, breaking the delusions of incompetence.’

Independently too, few states in India have developed their own measures in recent times.
Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government has provided concessions for children with learning disabilities and has directed all schools in Mumbai to abide by these guidelines. Maharashtra Dyslexia Association is instrumental in persuading the education authorities at every level, to make the system more empathetic to the special needs of dyslexic students.
Kerala: The Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neurosciences (ICCONS), Kerala, has been able to conduct research and rehabilitation programs for learning disabilities.
Goa: Government schemes in Goa started to provide financial benefits such as transport facilities, uniform allowance, and allowance for aid and appliances to the families of those individuals.

Provisions for learning disabled children are a must to make them capable to lead their life independently. India has some successful amendments to integrate such individuals in the society, but it needs to further bring up effective initiatives. As we discuss some steps brought forward by India, further inclusion of children with special needs is a matter of social justice and a vital investment in the future society. Implementing special rights, working with families, and ensuring a supportive environment for them are the keys to growth both for the individual and for the country which makes these individuals recognize that their voices are being heard.