Through the sensitization and awareness sessions, Eyeway employs a comprehensive approach toward inclusion. These sessions are designed to raise awareness among both the blind as well as sighted stakeholders, including corporates, students, academicians, judiciary, media, policy makers, medical professionals, bureaucrats, and religious leaders to promote inclusion and encourage independent living. Each stakeholder plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful integration of visually impaired people into mainstream society. These sessions serve as a platform to dispel stigmas, heighten awareness about accessibility, and promote inclusivity. Our overarching goal is to cultivate a culture that not only comprehends the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals but also actively supports their seamless integration into the mainstream society.
On 3rd December, 2024, Dr. Lal Path Labs conducted a sensitisation session on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, engaging senior leadership and department heads at their corporate office. The session, led by Founder & CEO of Score Foundation Mr. George Abraham, focused on challenging barriers – the mindset – that often prevents true inclusion in professional environments.
The session was attended by many key executives, including Mr. Om Prakash Manchanda (MD) and Mr. Shankha Banerjee (CEO). George Abraham began by sharing insights into the organisation’s commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace, challenging participants to rethink their perspectives on disability and professional potential.
Participants were invited to explore the multidimensional aspects of workplace inclusivity through an engaging dialogue that delved deep into the challenges and opportunities of employing individuals with disabilities. Mr. Abraham emphasised the critical importance of setting clear expectations while simultaneously maintaining an empathetic and supportive approach. He stressed that successful inclusion goes beyond mere hiring practices, requiring a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures professional growth, provides timely training, and creates accessible work environments.
They explored the nuanced aspects of workplace integration, from technological accessibility to creating spaces that facilitate both professional and social interactions. Mr. Abraham underscored the importance of vendor accountability, noting that companies must insist on accessibility features when procuring equipment and software to drive meaningful change.
Throughout the session, the underlying message remained clear: inclusivity is not a corporate checkbox but a fundamental moral imperative. Dr. Lal PathLabs demonstrated its forward-thinking approach by showcasing their initiatives to hire and support employees with disabilities, recognising diversity as a strength rather than a compliance requirement.
On November 26, 2024, the Score Foundation conducted a sensitisation session at Bharti Realty Ltd office in Aerocity, engaging around 20 team members from various departments, including Operations, Legal, HR, IT and Safety.
The session commenced with introductions, followed by the opening lines of the first episode of Nazariya Nazariya, a television series by Score Foundation. This thirteen-episode series focuses on the possibilities and potential within a life with blindness, aiming to challenge stereotypes and broaden perspectives.
In the session, the audience watched the opening segment featuring Naseeruddin Shah, who invites viewers to close their eyes for ten seconds. Through this simple yet powerful exercise, Shah encourages the audience to momentarily experience the world without sight, tying this brief moment to the broader understanding of existence and the realities of living with blindness, setting the tone for the discussion.
George Abraham, CEO of the Score Foundation, then led a presentation titled Taking a Stand which had six thought-provoking questions on whether it would be prudent to challenge common assumptions about the capabilities of visually impaired individuals. These questions ranged from perceptions about blind individuals’ innate musical talents to more complex debates on whether they should be allowed to pursue fields like medicine or aviation.
Participants shared diverse perspectives, sparking deep conversations on inclusion. To deepen their understanding, George Abraham asked everyone to write down two challenges they would face if they were visually impaired, both at work and at home. Responses highlighted concerns about mobility, emotional well-being, mental health, technological accessibility, and sports. George then contextualised these concerns with real-life examples, broadening their awareness of the realities faced by the visually impaired.
The session continued with an activity where participants worked in pairs, performing tasks blindfolded, such as navigating to the reception, using the pantry, or operating a photocopy machine, using the washroom. The participants who navigated to the reception blindfolded highlighted that the lifts lacked audio announcements, making it difficult to identify floors or operate the lift independently. Similarly, the group assigned to use the photocopy machine found it nearly impossible to operate due to the absence of tactile buttons or a screen reader for touch interfaces.
Those who attempted to use the washroom emphasised the emotional challenge of relying on someone else for guidance, noting how much they depend on muscle memory for such tasks. This exercise offered firsthand insight into the daily challenges faced by those with visual impairments.
The event concluded with a discussion on accessibility and universal design, with attendees sharing their reflections on improving inclusivity in their workspace. The screening of the final episode of Nazariya Nazariya, which focused on universal design, left a lasting impression, encouraging participants to envision a more accessible and inclusive environment.
On December 19, 2024, Score Foundation organised a significant event at the Maulana Azad Library in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where TorchIt canes, an innovative white cane equipped with electronic sensors that detect obstacles above knee level, provides enhanced mobility and safety for visually impaired users were distributed to visually impaired students and community members. The event drew over 140 attendees, including students from the Ahmadi School for the Blind and distinguished members of the university.
The event served as a reunion with several individuals whose lives had been impacted by George Abraham’s and Score Foundation’s previous initiatives. Notable among them was Arshad Kamal, a participant from a communication skills workshop conducted in 2000-2001 at the Ahmadi School for the Blind. Now serving as a principal of a primary school in Aligarh, Kamal demonstrated the lasting impact of the workshop through his confident and passionate anchoring of the event .
Another remarkable encounter was with Ilyas Hussain, whose life was transformed through the Eyeway Roshni Ka Karwan radio program (2005-2014). Initially discouraged and homebound while losing his vision in Sambhal district, Hussain found inspiration through the program to seek help. Today, he works confidently in the AMU Registrar’s office, exemplifying the program’s success in empowering individuals with visual impairments.
The event also reunited George Abraham with two school teachers, Muhammad Yusuf and Salamat Hussain, who reflected on the enduring value of their training, particularly recalling the “Four Ps” of communication (Planning, Preparation, Practice, and Performance) and the “Seven Cs” framework for effective communication. Their continued application of these principles in their teaching careers demonstrates the long-term impact of Abraham’s training programs.
Dr. Mohammed Israil, now teaching at the Kamla Nehru College of University of Delhi and a former workshop participant, shared how his involvement in blind cricket not only enhanced his playing skills but also provided valuable exposure to event organization and management.
George Abraham shared Eyeway’s toll-free number and WhatsApp broadcast number, which participants eagerly noted down. The event served as a powerful testament to the lasting impact of George Abraham and Score Foundation’s various initiatives in education, communication, and empowerment of visually impaired individuals.
The event highlighted the continued need for such support systems and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through sustained engagement with the visually impaired community. The success stories shared by various participants reinforced the importance of providing both tools and training to enable individuals with visual impairments to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
On October 22, 2024. Score Foundation, in collaboration with NAB Lucknow (Amita Dubey, VP) and the Amity Institute of
Rehabilitation Sciences (Dr. Syed Zafar Zaidi, Head of Special Education) at Amity University
Lucknow, hosted an impactful event focused on empowering the visually impaired and disabled.
Attended by 60 special education students, the event highlighted essential tools like Talkback,
VoiceOver, and Bookshare to support independence. Participants were encouraged to create
inclusive classrooms using resources like the film Srikant to foster discussions on disability. By
prioritizing education, adaptive technology, and a positive mindset, the event set a strong
foundation for building an inclusive society.
The session “Life with Blindness: Opportunities and Resources” at Awadh Gymkhana, led by
George Abraham, was a powerful and inspiring event. It featured key speakers like Dr. Rama Shankar
(President of NAB), Amita Dubey (VP of NAB), and Renu Agniothri (Chief Functionary at Jayati
Bharatam), who shared valuable insights about how education, career opportunities, and support
systems can help blind individuals succeed. The session focused on addressing the concerns of
parents with blind children, helping them understand the importance of finding support and using
available opportunities to help their children reach their full potential.
The event featured an interactive session with visually impaired and sighted attendees, including
parents. Sara Moin, a deaf and Visually Impaired ICSE topper, and Ashish Dube, who found work in
the railways with Eyeway’s support, shared their stories. Sara’s parent was concerned about her
future as a writer, and George suggested blog writing as an option. Ashish spoke about Eyeway
helping him land a job after an integrated course. The session highlighted the importance of local
support services like Eyeway in helping individuals with disabilities reach their potential.
On 23rd October, 2024 of the event, we went to Moinuddin Chishti University, where George Abraham), Amita
Dubey (VP of NAB), Syed Haider Ali (Dean, Faculty of Commerce), and Dr. Musheer Ahmad
(Convener) delivered insightful speeches. Haider Ali discussed the accessibility of AI, while George
shared his personal journey, highlighting the support from his parents, teachers, and classmates. He
emphasized the importance of learning three languages—Mother Tongue, Hindi, and English—and
shared four key life principles: empowerment over sympathy, seeking opportunities, and creating
inclusive environments. He concluded with the 4 Ds of Life: Dream, Desire, Dedication, and
Discipline.
The objective of the session was to inspire students, a mix of mostly non-disabled and some visually
impaired or PwD, to aspire for a better life, emphasizing that hard work is the key to success. It also
aimed to showcase the potential in blind students and highlight how the attitude of fellow students,
parents, and teachers can significantly shape and impact their lives.
At National PG College, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Society of the Visually Impaired
(RSVI), the event aimed to sensitize Mass Communication students about the power of media in
shaping views on blindness. The discussions focused on how media, such as the TV show Nazar
Nazariya and empowering podcasts, can help generate empathy and improve the perception of
visually impaired people. the role of AI in enhancing accessibility and the importance of building
genuine connections through communication was also highlighted . The students were very
receptive, sharing their own understanding of disability, the difference between empathy and
sympathy, and their experiences with people with disabilities. Many students suggested using short
movies, videos, and various platforms to spread awareness and challenge stereotypes about
blindness. The objective was to motivate them to take up projects that promote inclusion,
accessibility, and disability awareness, encouraging them to use their future work to inform and
inspire mass audiences.
On 24th October, 2024, At Shakuntala University, the event featured speakers Dr. Vijay Shankar Sharma (Head of
Department), Dr. Kaushal Sharma (Special Education Department), and Dr. Ashish Kumar Gupta
(Program Coordinator). George Abraham shared his journey, highlighting the challenges he faced
and how he founded Eyeway. He emphasized that the real issue lies in mindsets, not blindness, and
stressed the importance of communication with bureaucrats, media, and others. George explained
the role of the Eyeway Helpline in addressing various issues across sectors and introduced the
WhatsApp broadcast, connecting many people. He also discussed key qualities for success, such as
speaking skills, becoming a role model, maintaining a positive attitude, taking responsibility, and
effectively using technology, especially assistive tools, to overcome challenges and inspire others.
The audience included students with multiple disabilities, and the session aimed to inspire them by
showcasing how positive mindsets and communication can make a significant impact on their lives
and future opportunities.
At the session held at the Composite Resource Centre (CRC), speakers George Abraham, Himanshu
Singh, Shruti, Amita Dubey, and Ranjeev Ranjan discussed key principles for success, such as setting
expectations, empowering others, seeking opportunities, and creating inclusive environments. The
event focused on vocational training for economic independence, specialized educator programs,
and providing assistive devices like mobility aids. It also covered accessible tech training, including
screen readers for digital accessibility.
The aim was to help special educators understand the challenges and potential of visually impaired
individuals, and how the right support and technology can help them thrive in education,
employment, and social settings. Episodes from Nazar Ya Nazariya were shown to highlight how
media can change perceptions of disability and inspire empathy, encouraging educators to adopt
more inclusive approaches.
