Dr. V. Balaji is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at RV University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. With over 11 years of experience in academia and research, he specializes in Human-Computer Interaction, Accessible Computing, Assistive Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Accessibility Information Retrieval from Pondicherry Central University.

Over the course of his career, Dr. V. Balaji has contributed to research through international journal publications, book chapters, and reputed international conference papers. He has three patents in the areas of Data Science and IoT.

In addition to his research accomplishments, he is actively involved as a reviewer for many international journals and a technical program committee member for academic events. He has also received several awards and honors, including:

1. National Award from the Honorable former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, for “Best Applied Research and Technical Innovation Aimed at Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities” in 2017 (Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India).

2. State Award for “Best Individual Serving the Cause of Persons with Disabilities” in 2015 (Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry, India).

3. Mphasis Universal Design Award 2023 from NCPEDP (National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People), New Delhi, India.

4. Dheyepurti Puraskar National Award for “Best Individual Serving the Cause of Persons with Disabilities” in 2019 (Nutan Gulgule Foundation, Mumbai, India).

His research interests and goals focus on developing accessible, innovative solutions for real-world problems using machine learning and data science. He is passionate about mentoring and empowering his students.

"Accessibility is not a problem to be solved. Accessibility is a culture to be built."

• His research focuses on developing accessible and inclusive technological solutions through interdisciplinary approaches combining Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT). His work primarily addresses challenges faced by persons with disabilities, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance equitable access to information and services.
• Key Research Areas
• Accessible Computing & Web Accessibility
• Designs and evaluates WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)-compliant frameworks for educational and government websites
• Developed novel evaluation methodologies like the variable magnitude approach to assess web accessibility more effectively
• Focuses on improving screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and multimedia accessibility
• Assistive Technologies & AI for Disability Inclusion
• Creates AI-driven tools for speech/text conversion, sign language recognition, and cognitive assistance
• Works on IoT-based wearable devices for mobility and sensory impairment support
• Researches adaptive interfaces for users with diverse disabilities
• Inclusive Education & Digital Equity
• Investigates barriers in e-learning platforms and proposes accessible design improvements
• Develops assistive learning tools for students with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments
• Advocates for policy changes to enforce accessibility standards in educational technologies
• Data Science for Social Impact
• Applies machine learning to analyze accessibility gaps in public digital infrastructure
• Patented innovations in data-driven assistive solutions
• Researches ethical AI to prevent bias in disability-related technologies
• Future Directions
• Expanding AI-powered personalized accessibility tools
• Scaling IoT-based assistive devices for low-resource settings
• Strengthening global standards for inclusive technology design
• Dr. Balaji’s work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities), emphasizing technology as a force for social good.
• Research Interests
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• AI-Driven Assistive Technologies
• Data Science
• AIML
• IoT

• National Award from the Honorable former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, for “Best Applied Research and Technical Innovation Aimed at Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities” in 2017 (Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India).

• State Award for “Best Individual Serving the Cause of Persons with Disabilities” in 2015 (Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry, India).

• Mphasis Universal Design Award 2023 from NCPEDP (National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People), New Delhi, India.

• Dheyepurti Puraskar National Award for “Best Individual Serving the Cause of Persons with Disabilities” in 2019 (Nutan Gulgule Foundation, Mumbai, India).

• Reviewer Recognition

  EAI/Springer book, Innovations in Communications and Computing Book series ""Technological Trends in Improved Mobility of the Visually Impaired

• Invited Speaker

  Delivered Special Lecture on Web Accessibility Guidelines: Organized by NIEPVD (National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disablities (Divyangjan)),Government of India, on 15th feb 2019 at Puducherry, India.

• Delivered Lecture on Accessible Technologies for person with disabilities: Organized by Anbagam Special School, Puducherry, India , 24th January 2019.

• Delivered Special Lecture on RPWD Act-2016: Organized by Sakshan Seva organization, Puducherry, India , 6th April 2019.

• Delivered Special Lecture on mobile technologies for person with disabilities: Organized by UDIS Forum, Coimbatore, India, 16th June 2019.

• Delivered Invited talk on Assistive technologies for person with disabilities and Environment Awareness: Organized by Godrej MNC Company Pvt ltd. India , 2019.

• Delivered Special Lecture on Accessible Design in Global Environment for person with disabilities: Organized by Saksham Madurai unit, Tamilnadu, India, 1st August 2019.

• Delivered Special Lecture on Global Design in Built Environment for person with disabilities: Organized by Madurai, District Disability Rehabilitation Office, Madurai District Collectorate, Government of Tamilnadu, India, 26th September 2019.

• Delivered Special Lecture on Assistive Technologies in Global Environment for person with disabilities: Organized by Cuddalore Government school,Tirupapuliyur, Tamilnadu, India, 11th Feb 2020.

• Delivered Special Lecture on IoT and Assistive Technologies for person with dis- abilities: Organised by Mothers Matric Hr. Sec. School, Uthangarai, Tamilnadu, India, 13-11-2021 to 15-11-2020.