Akhil Konduri: Championing Neurodiversity Through Inclusive Tech Education in Kuwait
“SIMA Academy Film, Vibrations resonated deeply with how we view neurodiversity: differently wired doesn’t mean less capable—just different. Through mentorship, accessible tech tools, and an inclusive curriculum, our project, DiversiCode, continues to show that neurodiversity is not a limitation — it’s innovation in disguise.”
Akhil Konduri, student and young leader from Kuwait, created DiversiCode, a student-led global initiative advancing inclusive technology education. Inspired by the SIMA Academy film Vibrations, a powerful story about a young deaf girl that challenges perceptions of ability and highlights how people experience and interpret the world differently, Akhil was motivated to address neurodiversity in education. Through DiversiCode, she set out to create accessible STEM and coding opportunities for students with ADHD and learning differences, sparking conversations around inclusion and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education.
Q&A WITH SIMA
What SIMA Academy film(s) inspired your project?
The SIMA Academy film that inspired my project, DiversiCode, was Vibrations, a (partially) silent short film that gives an insight to the life of a young girl who is profoundly deaf. The girl who remains anonymous identifies her struggles and experiences of living her lifestyle.
What were the main topics of discussion after the screening?
The film Vibrations led us to discussions around inclusive education and neurodiversity awareness as well as discussions SDG 4: Quality Education. We wanted to find a way to provide accessible STEM and coding opportunities for students with ADHD and learning differences. Neurodiversity is a spectrum, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. To overcome this, we proactively partnered with experts, like the Kuwait Counseling Center, to better understand ADHD learning patterns and refine our workshops to be more engaging and supportive for every individual learner.
What did you learn from the film(s)? Did you gain a new perspective about the issue?
This short film centers on a young girl who is profoundly deaf and explores how she experiences the world by communicating, learning, and interpreting information differently. The film resonated deeply with how we view neurodiversity: differently wired doesn’t mean less capable—just different.
What type of project did you create?
DiversiCode is a student-led global initiative that empowers neurodiverse students through creative coding and digital design. Our mission is to make technology education inclusive and accessible for learners who think differently.
Please tell us about the impact of your project. You can use both quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
We have conducted over 10 workshops , impacted over 300 plus children over 4 countries India, the United States, South Africa, and Kuwait. DiversiCode is officially registered under Hack Club Bank (501(c)(3)), through which we raised funds for equipment, online tools, and student incentives like certificates and design showcases. Our workshops now span India, Kuwait, South Africa, and the USA, reaching dozens of neurodiverse learners.
One of our most inspiring impacts was a girl from India who is neurodiverse but, after our sessions, created her first digital poster and brought her home business of Rangoli and Rakhi online and is able to sell through various platforms.
What you learned in the process of creating your project?
We learned that neurodiversity is not a barrier to learning technology, but simply a different pathway to it. Our initial assumption was that we needed to simplify content, but we quickly discovered it was more about engagement and expression. We learned to adapt our teaching methods in real-time, using art and visual projects like Scratch to make abstract coding concepts tangible and exciting for neurodiverse learners.
The most significant challenge we faced was ensuring our methods were truly effective. Through mentorship, accessible tech tools, and an inclusive curriculum, DiversiCode continues to show that neurodiversity is not a limitation — it’s innovation in disguise.
Please share a memorable moment during your event.
The absolute best part of creating this project has been witnessing the moments of breakthrough and pride in our students. A perfect example is the story of the girl in India who transformed from struggling to focus to proudly creating and sharing her digital poster about her cultural traditions. These moments validate our mission and fuel our passion.
