Breaking the chains of dependency through education and guidance

Twenty-five-year-old Vidyasagar hails from Satna district in Madhya Pradesh. He was born with a degenerating eye condition call Retinitis Pigmentosa, which results in gradual sight loss. He belongs to a low income family, where his father works as a daily wage labourer to support the wife and their three children. 

Vidyasagar’s parents enrolled him in the National Association for the Blind in Bhopal, where he received free education and accommodation. He learned to read and write with braille, the use of assistive technology, mobility and daily living skills. After completing Class X, Vidyasagar considered dropping out and taking up a job to support his father. 

A timely consultation with the Eyeway Helpdesk changed his trajectory. The counselor painted a different picture – one where education could lead to sustainable employment rather than immediate, limited income. Acting on this guidance, Vidyasagar not only pursued graduation at Delhi University but also enrolled in vocational training at a Delhi-based NGO, leading to a calling job at an Ayurvedic solutions company.

By then, Vidyasagar’s vision deteriorated to mere light perception, making his evening commute increasingly dangerous. When his reasonable request for modified hours was denied, and a lost smartphone further complicated his commute, he faced a difficult choice. Rather than compromise his safety, he decided to rebuild.

Once again, Eyeway’s guidance proved crucial. The counselor helped him develop a strategic path forward – pursuing post-graduation while simultaneously planning to enhance his employability through computer training at the All India Confederation of the Blind in Delhi.

Vidyasagar’s journey from a small district to Delhi’s educational landscape embodies both triumph and challenge. While his determination opens doors, his story illuminates the complex path that visually impaired individuals must navigate in pursuit of stable employment and independence.

Team Eyeway