New Delhi: Access to hygiene education remains a challenge for millions of children with disabilities across India, who often lack tailored learning resources suited to their unique needs. In India, nearly one in every ten children aged 0-15 has a physical, sensory, or mental disability, inclusive education becomes not just a necessity but a human right. The country has around 4.5 million deaf children and about 270,000 blind children, the highest number globally. The estimated 4.5 million deaf-mute children represent roughly one fifth of the world's population in that category, while autism affects an estimated 18 million children nationwide.

Addressing this critical gap, the Dettol Accessible Digital Curriculum represents a first-of-its-kind initiative that integrates technology and accessibility to deliver hygiene education specifically designed for children who are blind, deaf, mute, or autistic.

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The initiative builds on the legacy of the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme, which has since 2014 reached over 26 million children with critical lessons on hand hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention. It is now taking a significant step forward by ensuring that no child is left behind in learning.

Despite these astonishing figures, no comprehensive organisation or program yet addressed the specialised learning requirements of these diverse groups related to hygiene and sanitation. This gap created a pressing need for a solution that is not just accessible but also customised, effective, and empowering.

Crafted with this vision, the Dettol Accessible Digital Curriculum delivers hygiene education through a single inclusive Android app. At its core, the app is designed to be fully customisable: when a user opens it, they select their disability mode - blind, deaf, mute, or autistic -- prompting the app to automatically adapt its interface and accessibility features.

For blind learners, screen readers and voice commands are auto-enabled, delivering spoken content and navigation assistance.

Deaf learners gain access to sign language videos and carefully prepared captions, while mute learners use touch-based controls and text-based interaction.

For autistic learners, a calm mode simplifies visuals and reduces distractions, creating a safe and comfortable learning space.

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The initiative aligns with India's National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), supporting goals of universal access, equity, and technology-enabled learning, while promoting global Sustainable Development Goals such as Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Partnerships for the Goals.

This comprehensive framework ensures that the curriculum is not only innovative but deeply rooted in policy and global development priorities.

Critical features such as voice-based alerts and haptic (vibration) notifications enhance the learning experience by providing multisensory feedback, making navigation and comprehension easier for children with varying disabilities. The thoughtful design guarantees that the educational journey is both accessible and engaging, addressing the practical realities faced by millions.

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By combining technology, accessibility expertise, and a commitment to inclusive education, the Dettol Accessible Digital Curriculum is transforming how hygiene education reaches children with disabilities in India. It empowers millions with essential knowledge and skills, affirming the goal of 'Leaving No One Behind' when it comes to learning about health and wellbeing.