It is a first of its kind initiative in India where children and youth with disabilities are given an opportunity to showcase knowledge.
Quizabled will be conducting its first National Finals and Karnataka State Finals on 6 January, 2024 at BMS College of Engineering, Basavanagudi in Bengaluru. (Supplied)
Powered by Larsen and Toubro Infotech Ltd and conceptualised by Ruma Banerjee, chairperson of the Bengaluru-based NGO Seva-in-Action, Quizabled will be conducting its first National Finals and Karnataka State Finals on 6 January, 2024 at BMS College of Engineering, Basavanagudi in Bengaluru.
“Children with disabilities have been given the best opportunity to work on their knowledge and competitive spirit. Every year this program should continue to gain more & more knowledge,” say D.Ed & B.Ed Training Teachers from Uma Educational & Technical Society, Kakinada, Kerala.
The team of Seva-in-Action conceptualised Quizabled in 2016. But, the need to make it a reality was enhanced when LTIMindtree (erstwhile LTI) supported it under its CSR initiative.
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Quizabled is a unique quiz competition for children and young adults with disabilities (Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Hearing Impairment and Visual Impairment).
” We have the special Olympics, Paralympics, but no big event on knowledge development. That’s how Quizabled was born. We started with 100 children in Bengalure in 2016 to sensitise schools, parents, and larger societ that children with special needs require opportunities in life. We wanted to break the myths and stereotypes,” she says.
The quiz is conducted by professional quiz masters, she assures. “It’s not a boring event, where students come, participate and leave. We make it as engaging as possible,” she adds.
After two years, this was extended to children from rural districts of Karnataka, Chennai and Mumbai. Last year, they reached Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana with more than 5000+ children & youth with disabilities. This year, Quizabled is extending to Kolkata – West Bengal & Lucknow – Uttar Pradesh.
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“We have also taken the support of 4 Edge Quizzing Solutions run by Himadri Banerjee,” she adds.
Banerjee’s sole objective has been to give children with special needs a workable tool to discover their abilities, to participate, to start thinking.
Using local languages and sign language interpreters questions are prepared on current affairs and general knowledge. The pattern of questions are in the form of Multiple Choice and Objective type question.
“The quiz usually involves asking students to match an item or reasoning out a news piece or something on sports and music. The idea is to get children to develop interest in gathering information,” she shares.
The quiz is conducted in an audio-video format with a multisensory approach, she adds.
Parents too vouch that their children now watch news regularly, reading newspapers etc.
This year, the national finals includes winners of all the states where Quizabled was conducted, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and cities like Mumbai, North Delhi, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata.
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“Quizzing has become a part of the curriculum of many special schools. Even daily school assembly events now include news etc. to ensure children are aware. This helps them to prepare for participation, too,” she elaborates. This year too, 4 edge Quizzing Solutions are the quizzing partners for the state and national finals of Quizabled, she adds.
The impact has been at the grassroots level. P. Bharath of Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, a young adult with visual impairment was the winner of Quizabled for three consecutive years.
He wanted to take Science Group in Pre-University but the college denied admission to pursue Science Group. Bhaskara filed a case and took to the court. His arguments included the certificates and trophies he had won at ‘Quizabled – A knowledge based event’.
The Education Department of Tamil Nadu issued a Government Order. Students with visual impairment can now pursue the Science Group.
GT Deepa, a student with visual impairment from Davanagere District, Karnataka studying 1st PU, Athani composite PU, Davanagere, is upbeat about her transformation. “The quiz has helped me understand the patterns for competitive exams and the cash prize helps to pursue higher studies,” she says.
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