Shillong: Meghalaya officials are betting on artificial intelligence to tear down barriers for disabled workers. Social Welfare Adviser Paul Lyngdoh told a crowd at Shillong’s U Soso Tham Auditorium on Tuesday that technology is the key to unlocking hidden potential. He praised a partnership between the state and Bengaluru-based Kibo Trestle Labs, which brings new assistive tools to visually impaired government employees.
Lyngdoh drew parallels to icons like Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder to push his point. He wants staff to stop focusing on physical limits and start seeing talent. "They possess the potential to excel when provided with an enabling environment and the right technology," Lyngdoh said.
The government plans to take these tools further. Swapnil Tembe, Secretary of the Secretariat Administration Department, confirmed the initiative will move beyond the Secretariat to all subordinate offices. The goal is total independence. This means installing screen-reader software and building workplaces that actually function for everyone.
Bertha Dkhar, Executive Director of the Bethany Society and a Padma Shri awardee, warned that gadgets alone are not enough. She insisted that offices must be physically and psychologically accessible, while pushing for inclusive schooling to get more disabled people into leadership roles. During the session, Rishabh Shakapur from Kibo Trestle Labs demonstrated how specialized AI handles documents that standard software misses. Officials including Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Lyngkor Kynjing and Social Welfare Director Saloni Verma attended as staff received new assistive devices.
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