AIDL 2026 - Accessible and Inclusive Digital Library Symposium
About the Symposium
AIDL-2026 will provide a platform to discuss on the above themes along with related issues and challenges and probable solutions to overcome risks associated with the future of different types of libraries to make it inclusive for all communities.
Key Facts:
- India has an estimated 70 million disabled persons who are unable to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. The disabled need accessible content, devices and interfaces facilitated via copyright law and accessibility policies as reported by CIS-India.
- As per the data report by Disability Index, globally disability estimates can be more than 15% of the total population, while in India the number of persons with disabilities are estimated to be more than 2.68 crores.
- In line with the Bold vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and to support the 8 core pillars, this event will support the Digital Empowerment, Education and Skill Development, Sustainable Development along with inclusive future in the academic set-up.
Highlight of the event:
This event is supported by invited talks, panel discussion and demonstration, case studies on the above main themes. Also Interactive Sessions, Networking with Domain Experts, Sharing of Best Practices and Case Studies, Product Demonstrations, Platform demonstrations and Much more opportunities
- Panel Discussions: Panel discussion with the domain experts
- Product Talks & Showcases: Explore real-world inclusive products and solutions. Learn from Academic experts and industry leaders who have designed, built, and delivered accessible experiences for people with disabilities.
- Speakers & Guests: The symposium will feature eminent speakers, experts, and dignitaries from the fields of special education, accessibility, and assistive technology. Profiles of notable contributors will be shared closer to the event date.
This event is supported by invited talks, panel discussion and demonstration, case studies on the above main themes. This forum will also provide a platform to discuss the above themes along with related issues and challenges and probable solutions to overcome risks associated with the future of different types of libraries. The event will connect library professionals, academic-industry partners, and allied professionals across the world.
Objectives of AIDL-2026
- To create awareness about accessible and inclusive digital library practices
- To highlight emerging assistive tools and technologies
- To encourage collaboration between libraries, academic institutions and other institutions
- Network with accessibility experts, technology and domain experts
- To identify challenges and propose actionable recommendations for inclusive library services
- Sharing of Best Practices and Case Studies in this domain
About IIT Hyderabad
The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) is an Institute of National Importance established by an Act of Parliament under the aegis of the Government of India, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, New Delhi.
About IITH-KRC (Knowledge Resource Centre)
IITH KRC - Knowledge Resource Centre (KRC- Library) - has been functioning since 2008. The library presently holds more than 40,000+ Books including gratis. E-resources collections include 5,000+ Full-text Resources, Bibliographic Databases, 1,83,000+ e-books, Academic Tools, and Online Newspapers & Magazines. The IITH library is fully automated with the integrated library software package using Koha and the RFID security automation system. IITH Library has been renamed as IITH Knowledge Resource Centre (KRC) relocated to the new building and re-started its functioning on 27-March-2024.
The summary of the infrastructure, facilities, services and state-of-the-art technology available at KRC to support Teaching-Learning and Research (TLR) activities, initiatives implemented by the library can be seen at:
Visit Library Website (opens in new tab) Virtual Tour (opens in new tab) Video (opens in new tab)Speakers & Guests
The symposium will feature eminent speakers, experts, and dignitaries from the fields of special education, accessibility, and assistive technology. Profiles of notable contributors will be shared closer to the event date.
Call for Papers
Publication with Springer Nature:
It is planned to publish the peer reviewed and selected papers of conference as proceedings with Springer in their prestigious "Springer Transactions on Digital Learning" (opens in new tab) series. For detailed instructions for authors and editors of conference proceedings, kindly visit the following link: https://www.springer.com/us/authors-editors/conference-proceedings (opens in new tab). Select papers from the conference will be published by Springer as a proceedings book volume. Springer will conduct quality checks on the accepted papers and only papers that pass these checks will be published. Springer Nature does not charge any money for publication of Non-Open Access content. Abstracts/extended abstracts and short papers (less than 4 pages) are not considered for publication. All communication regarding the proceedings must be directed to the conference organizers or volume editors. Paper authors should not contact Springer Nature directly.
Note: Publication in the above Book series is subject to the acceptance and presentation of your paper at the AIDL-2026 Symposium only.
About the Theme and Sub-Themes of the Symposium
Theme: Accessible and Inclusive Digital Library (AIDL)
The following are the Main Themes and Sub-Themes pertaining to Accessible and Inclusive Digital Library for all Persons with Disabilities (PwD) / Divynagjan Users, but are not limited to:
| Main Themes | Sub-Themes |
|---|---|
| Assistive Tools and Technologies |
Assistive Technologies & Alternate Formats for Higher Education
|
| Community Engagement & Collaboration |
Empowering Community Engagement
|
| Designing Inclusive Library Space & Services |
Building Inclusive Library Spaces for all Divyangjan Users
|
| Accessible Media & Digital Library Platforms |
Accessible library websites, discovery services, OPACs and institutional repositories
|
| Policy, Legal Compliance Institutional Governance & Accessibility Standards |
Implementing the Accessibility Standards in academic libraries
|
Submission Guidelines
- Title of the paper: Must not be more than 20 words
- Abstract: Should be written in English within 200–250 words
- Keywords: 4-5 keywords (font size 12) followed by abstract
- Font type: Times New Roman
- Title: Font size 14
- Author(s) details & Abstract: Font size 12
- Full-text: Font size 10
- Format: 1.5 spacing with 1-inch margin on all sides
- Reference Style: APA format
- File Format: Submit in MS Word document
- Length: Full paper must be within 2500 words including references, tables, and figures
- Include ALT-TEXT for images with instructions
📝 Registration
Registration Details
| Participant Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Working professionals | ₹ 3,500.00 (plus 18% GST) |
| Students | ₹ 1,500.00 (plus 18% GST) |
| Retired professionals | ₹ 2,500.00 (plus 18% GST) |
| PWD students | ₹ 200.00 (plus 18% GST) |
| Foreign delegates | ₹ 4,500.00 (plus 18% GST) |
| Corporate / Industries | ₹ 5,000.00 (plus 18% GST) |
Note: The above Registration Fees is excluding GST (18%) to be included while making the payment.
Last date of registration: 01.03.2026
Important Notes
Accommodation & Transportation: The registration doesn't cover accommodation, transportation, etc. Participants who want to avail accommodation facility will have to inform in advance and he/she should have to bear the charges for accommodation depending on the kind of room(s), bed(s), etc. available at the time of the symposium.
How to Register
Registration form is available on the IITH-KRC website: https://library.iith.ac.in/events/aidl2026/ (opens in new tab)
Scanned copy of the filled-in Registration Form along with payment details has to be sent through email at: aidl2026.iith@gmail.com
Payment Details
Payment should be made through Online transfer / Demand Draft in favour of "Director, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad" payable at Canara Bank, IITH Kandi – 502284 and send to the following address.
You may choose to pay the amount through NEFT/RTGS with following details:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Beneficiery: | IITH CCE |
| Account No.: | 120000769411 |
| Bank Name: | Canara Bank |
| IFSC Code: | CNRB0003458 |
| Swift Code: | CNRBINBBBFD |
| Country: | India |
| PFMS Code: | VATLHY00180371 |
| PAN: | AAAAI2661J |
| MICR Code: | 500015066 |
Pay Online (Scan QR)
Or click the button to open the BillDesk payment page. After payment, email the scanned receipt and filled registration form to aidl2026.iith@gmail.com.
Pay Online (BillDesk) (opens in new tab)Organizing Committee
| Role | Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Chief Patron | Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IITH |
| Patron | Prof. Ashok Kumar Pandey, Dean-Academic |
| Symposium Chair | Prof. Saket Asthana, Chair-Library Committee |
| Convener & Organizing Secretary | Dr. Bhojaraju Gunjal, Chief Library Officer |
| Co-Conveners | Dr. Mallikarjuna C, Deputy Librarian Mr. Siva Kimidi, Assistant Librarian |
| Local Organizing Committee | All Library Staff |
| Publicity & Promotion Committee | Dr. Bhojaraju Gunjal, Mr. Arshad, Mr. Sriram, Ms. Sayantani |
| Sponsorship & Accounts Committee | Mr. Siva Kimidi, Ms. Haseena, Ms. Suchita Sahoo |
| Registration and Hospitality Committee | Mr. Jayanta Kumar Sahu, Mr. Sajan C S, Mr. Arshad |
| Travel Support | Mr. Gajanand Kaushik, Mr. Jayanta Kumar Sahu, Mr. Sriram |
Address for Correspondence
Dr. Bhojaraju Gunjal
Convener & Organizing Secretary – AIDL-2026
Chief Library Officer, Knowledge Resource Centre (KRC-Library)
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy-502284. INDIA.
E-mail: aidl2026.iith@gmail.com | Phone: +91-40-23596085 (O) | Cell: 9040511891
Web: https://library.iith.ac.in/events/aidl2026/ (opens in new tab)
