Welcome to Vision-Aid

In a joyous celebration of achievement, Vision-Aid proudly acknowledges the accomplishment of 17 students who successfully completed our sixth batch of the Digital Accessibility Testing (DAT) training program. Spanning from March to July 2023, this intensive training has equipped these dedicated individuals with invaluable skills required to pursue a career in Digital Accessibility.

On this time of Thanksgiving, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters as well as the dedicated teams at our Vision-Aid centres across India. These centers stand as beacons of hope for the visually impaired in many parts of India and are constantly striving to make a significant positive impact in the lives of numerous visually impaired individuals. 

On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, we are happy to share the heartwarming news of five of our talented students with visual impairment, have successfully secured jobs and embarked on a new journey towards independence and self-sufficiency! Just like the glowing lamps that brighten up every corner during Diwali, your support has illuminated the paths of these young individuals, enabling them to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Just over 3 months ago, at our annual event in July, many of you came forward generously to support the gift of AI-powered Smart Vision Glasses (SVG) to blind and visually impaired students to empower them with the gift of Computer Vision technology, which can enable them to gain more independence. (If you are interested in understanding how this amazing technology helps the visually impaired, please watch this short video.) . Smart Vision Glasses are manufactured by SHG Technologies in Bangalore India which recently won top spot in the Infosys Foundation Social Impact Awards ceremony for this unique innovation.

In a world that often values sight as one of the most precious senses, this story of one of our amazing Vision-Aid students, who defied the odds to pursue his dreams is truly inspirational. Meet Nibin Mathews, a remarkable individual who was born with visual impairment but never allowed this challenge to hinder his pursuit of a normal life.

In a world where adversity often tests the strength of one’s character, Arun Kumar’s journey is a shining example of resilience, determination, and the power of education. Let us go on this journey as he talks us through his amazing experience.

As summer closes and we enter the Fall, our team is also completing another quarterly review cycle. Through this email, we wish to share with you a report summarizing highlights from some of our programs across India in the second quarter of 2023. We sincerely thank you for your support for these programs that enable, educate and empower the visually impaired to live with independence and dignity.

In 2021, Vision-Aid with support from the Palakurthi Foundation of USA provided the seed funding for the launch of this ground breaking AI-powered Smart Vision Glasses to its partner SHG Technologies of Bengaluru – the first such device in the Indian market, which is priced at less than a tenth of comparable Western counterparts, making it much more accessible to the visually impaired population in India.

Vision-Aid USA announced several notable additions to its leadership team for 2023-24. This year’s 100% volunteer Vision-Aid Leadership team includes its 15-member Board of Directors (BOD), 14-member Board of Advisors (BOA), and 5-member Council of Youth Ambassadors, which provides leadership in the area of community engagement, inclusion and advocacy, with a special focus on youth.The combined team includes an eminently qualified and diverse range of members drawn from a wide range of fields including Ophthalmology, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Finance, Technology, Health, Management, Academia and Law.

Thank you so much for purchasing tickets or sponsoring Vision-Aid's annual event "The Son of the Wind - The Saga of Hanuman". While joining us for this spectacular and unique visual treat you are also helping us to raise funds for programs of Vision-Aid to Enable, Educate and Empower the visually impaired. 

Mr. Sushil Tuli is the current CEO and Chairman of Leader Bank, and has been one of the leading figures in financial services in Massachusetts. for nearly thirty-five years. Mr. Tuli founded Leader Bank in May of 2002, opening a single branch in East Arlington with seven employees and $6.5 million in assets. Mr. Tuli has guided Leader Bank to become one of the top community banks in the county, with well over 350 employees across seven full-service branches and three loan production centers, and approximately $4 billion in assets. Since its founding, Mr. Tuli has grown all facets of Leader Bank’s business, with a particular focus on retail banking, residential mortgages and both commercial and small business lending.