Breaking down barriers in education
Uttam Kumar was born with a vision impairment in Munger, Bihar. He belongs to a low income family where his father works as a daily wage labourer to provide for a family of six. Uttam and his family did not know anything about life with blindness or any resources that could help a visually impaired child study. As a result, he struggled to gain education alongside sighted students.
Once he finished Class X, he desired to get some form of employment and that’s when he reached out to the Eyeway Helpdesk. While addressing his issue, the counsellor realized that if Uttam could study further, several avenues would open up for him. And in today’s digital era, a blind student can access a lot of information and resources through a smartphone and assistive apps.
The counselor apprised Uttam of the ALIMCO scheme through which he could secure a smartphone. He was asked to get in touch with Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, or simply known as CRC, in Patna.
Excited, he immediately applied for the same but his hopes came crashing down when the CRC officials refused his request on grounds of 80% disability. They claimed that the scheme was applicable to totally blind individuals. Eyeway counsellor and the advocacy officer stepped in to back Uttam’s case.
They spoke to the officials, explaining what a smartphone could do for a young and bright boy like Uttam. After rigorous follow ups, CRC finally gave him a smartphone. This was a turning point in his life. Uttam is preparing for Class XII and accessing course material as well as tutorials through the device. He can even access YouTube lessons on some subjects.
He aspires to become a teacher someday. Eyeway is guiding him on the degrees and applications he will need to pursue to realise this dream. He is also registered now on Sugamya Putakalaya using the smartphone, so he can access several text books in audio format.
Such is the power of technology in a blind individual’s life. We all use our phones, even rely on them heavily for various needs but don’t realise that this simple device can transform the lives of people like Uttam who are being held back due to barriers in access to education.
Team Eyeway