Tata Steel Foundation Partners with Jyotir Gamya to Promote Assistive Technology Use Among Visually Impaired

A two-year programme aimed at educating visually impaired individuals about assistive technology has been initiated by Tata Steel Foundation and Jyotir Gamya, a joint initiative of Saksham and the Assistech Lab at IIT Delhi.

JAMSHEDPUR – In a major step towards inclusivity, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) and Jyotir Gamya, a project spearheaded by Saksham and the Assistech Lab at IIT Delhi, have collaborated to embark on a two-year initiative.

Their mission revolves around locating visually impaired individuals and training them in the application of assistive technology.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the initiative was inked by Founder Dr Dipendra Manocha of Saksham, Strategic Advisor Rajiv Raturi of Saksham, CEO Sourav Roy of TSF, and Head of Skill Development Captain Amitabh of TSF.

Assistive technology, the primary focus of the Jyotir Gamya programme, offers solutions that are essential to improving the quality of life for those with blindness or low vision.

Such technology not only enables reading and writing but also supports essential activities like managing bank accounts, booking train tickets, making online purchases, and using navigational aids like Google Maps.

“Sabal, which unites communities, civil society, corporates, and public systems to aid persons with disabilities, has been silently creating a platform that helps nearly 10,000 people each year,” stated Sourav Roy, CEO of TSF, at the MoU signing event.

He further expressed optimism about the project’s potential, especially when partnered with organizations like Jyotir Gamya and competent allies like Saksham and IIT Delhi.

The project’s end goal is to cultivate a community of visually impaired and print-disabled individuals well-versed in assistive technology and its applications. These individuals will then act as information disseminators within their peer groups and the broader community.

Over its two-year tenure, the initiative seeks to assist 1258 visually impaired individuals.