Velu Chelvarayan

Indian social reformer who pioneered disability rights through innovative education systems

Velu Chelvarayan (1920-1998) revolutionized disability education in India by founding the National Association for the Visually Handicapped in 1957. His tactile learning methods, including braille libraries and audio-visual classrooms, became global standards. As UN advisor on disability affairs (1968-1972), he lobbied for the 1971 UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons. His 1965 book 《Education for All》 challenged societal prejudices, inspiring India's 1995 Persons with Disabilities Act. Chelvarayan's 'inclusive education' model was adopted by UNESCO's 1994 Salamanca Statement, influencing policies in 140+ countries. His legacy lives through the Velu Chelvarayan Foundation, which operates 87 schools across India.