VOSAP has partnered with Ek Kadam Aur Foundation (EKAF), a Chicago, Illinois-based non-profit organization, to help 250 blind students currently learning at home in three Indian states prepare for formal schooling. Each student will receive a Saksharta Kit, a set of six assistive items designed to support learning, independence, and confidence. Over a period of 12–18 months, trained teachers will guide students in using these tools and building the foundational skills needed to prepare for a transition to a local school.
From home-based learning to school readiness
In rural India, many blind children do not have access to the support and learning resources that can help them attend school. Learning at home can be an important first step, but the goal is to help these students move into formal education. Through this partnership, students will receive practical assistive tools and guidance from trained teachers over 12–18 months. This support is intended to help them learn to use the Saksharta Kit, build foundational learning skills, and develop the confidence needed to prepare for school.
What’s in the Saksharta Kit
Each kit contains six items:
- Abacus box
- Magnetic pad
- Latest-generation smartphone
- Tactile book
- Earphones
- Keyboard
Together, these help students learn, practice, and connect with the world around them.
A vision rooted in service
The initiative will support students in three Indian states:
- Uttar Pradesh: 100 students
- Maharashtra: 100 students
- West Bengal: 50 students
The project was conceived by Satish Tripathi ji, CEO and Founder of Ek Kadam Aur Foundation. EKAF has been running its Arunodaya (Sunrise) for Blind school-readiness programme since 2022—about four years as of 2026. The programme prepares blind children from remote parts of India for school through one-to-one basic literacy and skills training with trained educators. Satish ji’s vision is simple: “No child should be denied learning because of a disability.”
VOSAP is proud to support this vision. As an organization working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, VOSAP believes the right tools, placed in the right hands at the right time, can change the course of a young person’s life.
“Many blind children in rural India begin their learning at home because access to formal schooling can be difficult. Our goal is to help them take the next step toward school. Through our partnership with Ek Kadam Aur Foundation, 250 students will receive Saksharta Kits and guidance from trained teachers over 12–18 months. This support will help them build foundational learning skills, learn to use assistive tools, and prepare for the transition to a local school. We are honoured to support this important pathway toward education, inclusion and independence.”
— Pranav Desai, Founder, Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP)
Why this partnership matters
- Access: 250 blind students across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal will receive six-item Saksharta Kits to support their learning.
- Independence: Assistive tools and guided practice can help students build confidence and develop skills for more independent learning.
- Training and school readiness: Trained teachers will support students over 12–18 months, helping them use the Saksharta Kit and prepare for a transition from learning at home to attending a local school.
