K-DISC pitches tech and innovation to help neurodivergent people

AS A state with more than seven lakh differently abled people, it is high time Kerala leveraged technology and community participation to create an ecosystem catering to their needs.

- ANU KURUVILLA @Kochi

And that is precisely what the STRIDE (Social Technology and Research for Inclusive Design Excellence) project aims to do.

As part of the programme designed by the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), STRIDE Innovation Centres will be set up at engineering colleges under APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and other universities. Another feature

Kerala a hub for social innovation, with a strong emphasis on community-driven solutions. Launched in November 2024 on an experimental basis, the project will have four arms -- STRIDE Innovation Centres, STRIDE Makerspaces, STRIDE Hub, and STRIDE Network.