One of the more heartening aspects of this year’s SSC results is not the fact that the state had the highest pass percentage ever, or that so many students surpassed expectations and performed better than expected. Simply, it is that a sizeable number of physically and mentally challenged students, the hearing-impaired, blind, autistic, and dyslexic children did fairly well.

In a society which is still to become disabled-friendly, or even disabled-aware, these students face great challenges in all walks of life, including in schools and colleges. From the system itself, to schools that may not have full knowledge or the capability of dealing with kids with special needs, it is uphill all the way for students and their parents too. Still, it is heartening to note that things are changing in small ways and greater awareness and acceptance is creeping in as people start to comprehend what exactly is the meaning of mentally challenged (where the disability is not immediately apparent), and counsellors and experts are roped in by schools to address special needs.