Lucknow student with visual, hearing impairment scores 98.75% in ISC exams

In Lucknow, 19-year-old Sarah Moin has scored 98.75 per cent (best of four subjects) in the ISC Class 12 examinations, turning her result into a story of determination. She lives with both visual and hearing impairment and is also battling sarcoidosis. Despite this, she emerged as one of the top performers in her school, scoring 98.2 per cent in her best of five subjects.

Her scorecard shows 100 marks each in Geography and Mass Media & Communication, 98 in English, 97 in History and 96 in Psychology, along with an A grade in SUPW and Community Service. Sarah, who lives in Hussain Ganj, comes from a family where her father, Moin Ahmad Idris, and mother, Julee Hamid, have supported her journey. Her elder brother is a high court lawyer.

She studied at Christ Church College Lucknow under Principal Rakesh Chattree, with guidance from special educator Salman Ali Qazi. Her learning was supported through accessible methods, including assistive technologies such as a braille display and an Orbit Reader, which help convert digital content into a format she can read. She also uses similar tools at home to study independently.

Over time, teachers and classmates have compared her journey to that of Helen Keller, who overcame blindness and deafness and became a well-known author and advocate. Her father said that while Sarah has achieved strong academic results, challenges remain when it comes to competitive examinations.

"She wants to become an IAS officer and work for people, especially disabled children," her father told PTI. He said that candidates like Sarah need better accessibility support during exams.

"In her case, a scribe cannot fully capture her answers. She needs accessible tools to express herself," he said, adding that authorities should allow the use of devices such as laptops and braille displays.

Sarah had earlier scored 94 per cent in Class 10. She is now preparing for the next stage of her studies, continuing with the same approach that helped her achieve this result.

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