A 19-year-old visually and hearing-impaired student from Lucknow has secured 98.75 per cent marks in the ISC Class 12 examinations, turning severe disability and medical complications into an extraordinary academic achievement..
Sarah Moin, a resident of Hussain Ganj in Uttar Pradesh, lives with both visual and hearing impairment and is also battling sarcoidosis, a rare disease that affects multiple organs. Despite these challenges, she emerged as one of the top performers in her school with a near-perfect academic record.
She scored 98.2 per cent in her best of five subjects. Her subject-wise performance includes 100 marks each in Geography and Mass Media & Communication, 98 in English, 97 in History and 96 in Psychology. She also secured an A grade in SUPW and Community Service, according to her scorecard.
Sarah studied at Christ Church College under Principal Rakesh Chattree and special educator Salman Ali Qazi. Her learning process extended beyond conventional classrooms, relying on tailored teaching methods, assistive communication systems and constant academic support.
She uses assistive technologies such as a braille display and Orbit Reader, which convert digital content into tactile form, enabling her to read, write and independently operate a computer. At home as well, she continues her studies using similar devices that allow her to engage with study material without assistance.
Teachers and classmates have often drawn parallels between her resilience and that of Helen Keller, frequently referring to her by the same name. The comparison reflects her determination in overcoming dual sensory impairment through education and perseverance.
Helen Keller was an American author, lecturer and disability rights advocate who overcame blindness and deafness to become one of the most influential voices for persons with disabilities worldwide. Her life continues to be cited globally as an example of overcoming severe sensory impairment through education and determination.
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Sarah’s father, Moin Ahmad Idris, said her journey has been marked by consistent struggle against structural barriers faced by disabled candidates in mainstream and competitive education systems.
"She wants to become an IAS officer and work for people, especially disabled children," he said, adding that she received continuous guidance from her special educator and school authorities throughout her academic journey.
He also highlighted the difficulties she is likely to face while appearing for competitive examinations due to inadequate accessibility provisions for deaf-blind candidates.
"Despite her achievements, appearing in competitive examinations remains a major hurdle due to a lack of adequate accessibility provisions for deaf-blind candidates," Idris told.
He further urged examination authorities to permit greater use of assistive devices, arguing that traditional systems such as scribes do not adequately reflect the abilities of candidates like Sarah.
"In her case, a scribe cannot fully capture her answers. She needs accessible tools to express herself," he said.
Sarah had earlier scored 94 per cent in Class 10 examinations. She is now preparing for higher studies with the aim of joining the civil services and working for the welfare of disabled children, continuing a journey that has already become an example of determination and inclusive education.
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