Saksharta Program

India is home to the world’s largest blind and visually impaired (VI) population. As of 2020, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) estimated a population of 270 million Indians live with VI, and at least 9.2 million are blind. Poverty, often both a cause and consequence of VI, reinforces systemic barriers caused by blindness and can affect an individual’s health status and employment prospects, reducing economic opportunities. 

Benetech promotes a blended method that combines assistive technologies with inclusive teaching, fostering self-reliant learning. This strategy expands access to various digital resources, such as e-books, online materials, and digital documents. 

While the Saksharta program will support blind and VI individuals within institutions serving this population, it aims to reach the most vulnerable by targeting regions with a high prevalence of poverty.\

Impact through innovation

Building on the success of initiatives like Bookshare in India: Pathways to Independence, the Saksharta Program aims to reach diverse groups, including students, educators, and government personnel. Over the next three years, this program will:

Supporting

5,000 students, 500-800 educators, and 50-80 schools and colleges serving the blind and VI

Expanding

13 Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, among others

Fosterering self-reliance

Establishing model schools to mentor new institutions, creating a sustainable framework for inclusive education.

Assistive technology integration

Benetech promotes a blended method of learning that combines traditional tools like Braille with digital resources, such as e-books and online materials. By integrating assistive technologies, Saksharta ensures self-reliant learning for students, reducing their dependency on scribes and other aids.

Through strategic partnerships, the program offers:

  • Digital skills training for blind and VI students.
  • Capacity building for educators and administrators.
  • Career readiness programs to enhance employability and income opportunities.

Empowering women and girls

The Saksharta Program places a special focus on empowering women and girls with visual impairments. By ensuring access to mainstream schools and colleges, the program provides equal opportunities for education, enabling women to achieve independence and pursue careers of their choice. Additional training in mobility, communication, and daily living skills ensures their active and dignified participation in society.

3 Year implementation timeline

Year 1 (July 2024 – June 2025):

Support for 30 schools and colleges with digital literacy infrastructure. Conversion of 15,000 pages per month into accessible formats.

Year 2 (July 2025 – June 2026):

Refresher training for Year 1 schools and onboarding of 15 additional schools.

Year 3 (July 2026 – June 2027):

Facilitation of knowledge sharing across institutions and detailed evaluation of program outcomes.

Local scopes in India

Image: Local scopes - Areas/Target Country/Cities
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“Benetech’s credibility as a nonprofit focused on empowering social change is unique among the tech community. Their scalable technology solutions are recognized as driving real, sustainable social impact.”

Kevin Lo, President, Genalyte, Inc.

“Benetech’s credibility as a nonprofit focused on empowering social change is unique among the tech community. Their scalable technology solutions are recognized as driving real, sustainable social impact.”

Kevin Lo, President, Genalyte, 1.

“Benetech’s credibility as a nonprofit focused on empowering social change is unique among the tech community. Their scalable technology solutions are recognized as driving real, sustainable social impact.”

Kevin Lo, President, Genalyte, 2.

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