Vision-Aid teams across 75 locations in India continued to transform lives through vision rehabilitation, empowerment, and inclusive eye care. Over 6,770 rehabilitation sessions and interventions supported nearly 6,000 beneficiaries, while Project CHASHMA benefited more than 19,085 children. Here are some of the key highlights and activities from the resource centers.

LEXINGTON, Mass. For more than twenty-two years, Vision-Aid, the Lexington-based nonprofit founded by Indian-American volunteers, has helped people with vision loss learn, work and live independently, serving 100,000+ beneficiaries across 80+ locations in India. This month it launched an ambitious new initiative: Ability Bazaar (www.abilitybazaar.com), an online marketplace where people with disabilities build, test and sell accessible, technology-based apps and services, and get paid as the professionals they are. The idea is simple: the people who navigate a world full of digital barriers every day are among the best qualified to find and fix those barriers. The Ability Bazaar team draws on a skilled group of AI expert volunteers from Vision-Aid, and some students and faculty from Harvard University and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

Two five-year agreements with India’s apex eye institute will bring primary eye care, vision rehabilitation services and a new CVI center, serving a population size of over half a million residents in Delhi NCR, place AI-powered smart vision glasses in the hands of those who need them most, and establish the Vision-Aid Sarla Dayal CVI Resource Center for children with cerebral visual impairment.

LEXINGTON, MA – Vision-Aid, a non-profit organization serving the visually impaired, has announced notable additions to its leadership team for 2026-27. This year’s 100% volunteer Vision-Aid Leadership team includes its Board of Directors (BOD), Board of Advisors (BOA), and Council of Ambassadors (COA). The combined team brings together an eminently qualified and diverse range of members drawn from a wide variety of fields including Ophthalmology, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Finance, Technology, Health, Management, Academia, the Arts, and Law. Notably, women continue to make up a majority of the leadership team.

A graduation event was held on June 21st, to recognize and celebrate the success of our inaugural Agentic AI course. We were happy to see our 10 visually impaired graduates present their innovative, real-world projects - and the sophistication and depth surprised most of us. In just 4 months, it was evident the students had acquired deep skills to develop very complex apps - and that too using screen readers.

June 2026 marks the completion of one year since we began Project CHASHMA in Sundargarh district of Odisha with our partners the L.V.Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI). We wanted to take a moment, not to send out a press release, but just to share with you where this past year has taken us.

Vishal, a young student from Shahpur village in Handia, Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, had been living with severe myopia (nearsightedness) since early childhood. As his condition gradually worsened, everyday activities such as reading, writing, and studying became increasingly difficult. His declining vision began to affect not only his education but also his confidence and independence.

The Vision-Aid team is proud to share the inspiring success stories of visually impaired students who transformed their lives through determination, skill development, and placement support. In February 2026, Vision-Aid successfully supported eight visually impaired candidates in securing employment opportunities at Sutherland Global Services as Customer Support Associates. These stories reflect the growing impact of accessible education, specialized training, assistive technology, and inclusive employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals.

Vision-Aid teams across 75 locations in India continued their dedicated efforts to support people with visual impairment, helping them lead lives of independence and dignity. Through more than 6,000 sessions and interventions, we served nearly 5,500 beneficiaries with visual impairment and through project CHASHMA nearly 19,213 children benefitted and we are pleased to share some of the inspiring stories and key milestones that made this quarter especially meaningful. Below is a snapshot of select initiatives that created lasting impact during this period.

In a significant step toward promoting digital inclusion, Vision-Aid India has launched the Anil Ken Rupani Vision-Aid Scholarship Program, aimed at empowering visually impaired individuals with essential technology skills. Supported by the generous contribution of Usha and Ken Rupani, this initiative focuses on enabling independence, employability, and confidence through structured digital literacy training.

Pushp Raj Singh, a 16-year-old from Nagod in District Satna, has been living with severely reduced vision since early childhood. Alongside low vision, his family observed a gradual outward deviation of both eyes, which became more noticeable over time.

February 2026 marked Low Vision Awareness Month, and Vision-Aid, in collaboration with leading eye care institutions, conducted impactful programs across India to strengthen awareness, rehabilitation, and inclusive eye care services.

The Customer Care Executive Course for visually impaired students by Vision-Aid is transforming lives by providing free residential training with placement support. Started in 2024 at the centers in Visakhapatnam and Chennai, this program equips students with assistive technology skills, communication training, and professional readiness to secure employment in the customer support industry. Students from different parts of India have successfully completed the training and are now placed in reputed organizations, building independent and confident careers.

In a remarkable step toward empowering individuals with visual impairment, Vision-Aid, in partnership with AIIMS Delhi and the Rotary Club, has distributed AI-powered Smart Vision Glasses to 53 blind and severely visually impaired individuals — completely free of cost — under Project SATHI.

Find out how Vision Aid's complete low vision care, assistive equipment, and tailored support helped two Sitapur students overcome visual problems and follow their aspirations. In the heart of Sitapur, two young students are discovering that visual impairment doesn't have to stand in the way of their dreams. Through the dedicated support of the Vision-Aid Resource Center at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sumit Rawat and Sobhit Kumar are transforming their educational challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Vision-Aid teams across 75 locations in India continued their dedicated efforts to support people with visual impairment, helping them lead lives of independence and dignity. Through more than 7000 sessions and interventions, we reached serving nearly 5400 beneficiaries with visual impairment and through project CHASHMA nearly 10,470 children got benefitted and we are pleased to share some of the inspiring stories and key milestones that made this quarter especially meaningful. Below is a snapshot of select initiatives that created lasting impact during this period.

In 2022, Mast. Muhamad Farhan from Bangladesh completed his 10th standard at a local school in his hometown. That same year, a medical consultation at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, revealed that he had Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), in both eyes. Following this, Farhan was referred to the Vision Enhancement Clinic (VEC) at the Vision-Aid Resource Center for rehabilitation and educational guidance.

Vision-Aid has partnered with Christian Medical College, Vellore, to establish a Vision Rehabilitation Resource Center within the CMC campus. This collaboration builds on CMC’s long-standing rehabilitation philosophy and Vision-Aid’s expertise in comprehensive vision rehabilitation, with the shared goal of expanding access to high-quality services for persons with visual impairments.

Vision-Aid, in partnership with the NAB India Centre for Blind Women and Disabilities Studies, is pleased to announce the successful placement of six visually impaired candidates at the Blind Café located at TCS Siruseri, Chennai. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the candidates and a proud moment for both organizations committed to advancing inclusive employment.

My name is Monika, and this is the story of my life—a journey shaped by love, adversity, resilience, and unwavering hope. I was born in New Delhi, India, into a family deeply rooted in values and discipline. My father served in the Indian Air Force, while my mother dedicated herself to our home. Growing up with my elder brother, I enjoyed a childhood filled with warmth, laughter, and learning. Although I was an average student, my curiosity and eagerness to explore the world shaped the foundation of who I am today.