Benetech Launches Initiative for Blind Students in India at CGI 2024

Benetech, a nonprofit organization, announced its commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for blind and visually impaired students in India during the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting. This initiative, supported by the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, aims to provide access to over 800,000 titles in nine languages along with tailored digital literacy training. The project is designed to improve education and job prospects for individuals with visual impairments, addressing a significant need in a country that houses a third of the world's blind population. Over the past 15 years, Benetech has been actively involved in providing digital literacy programs and accessible educational content. The collaboration with the Lavelle Fund has been crucial in scaling these efforts, which now serve 28 schools for the blind across 13 states in India. The Lavelle Fund's Executive Director emphasized the importance of innovative technology solutions in bridging the education-to-employment gap for blind and visually impaired students. With a financial commitment of $650,000 from the Lavelle Fund and additional support from corporate partners, Benetech is laying the groundwork for a sustainable program. The organization aims to reach over 5,000 students in the next three years by forming partnerships with key Indian states and expanding the Saksharta project. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to advancing equity and inclusion for marginalized communities. By leveraging technology and strategic partnerships, Benetech is poised to create lasting change and improve the educational landscape for students with disabilities in India.