Benetech at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting, Showcasing Groundbreaking Project for the Blind in India

Benetech, a leading nonprofit, will announce its commitment to expanding opportunities for blind and visually impaired students in India at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting. The Saksharta project aims to improve access to digital education, literacy tools, and training programs for visually impaired individuals in India, reaching over 5,000 students across the country. Supported by the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, the project provides over 800,000 titles in nine languages and tailored digital literacy training to enhance education and job prospects for people with visual impairments. 

“We are thrilled that the Clinton Global Initiative is recognizing our commitment to advancing equity and inclusion for blind and visually impaired learners in India,” said Ayan Kishore, CEO of Benetech. “Through innovative technology and strategic partnerships, we drive systemic change and build long-term educational sustainability.” 

India is home to a third of the world’s blind population. Over the last 15 years, Benetech has provided digital literacy programs and accessible educational content. Benetech’s collaboration with the Lavelle Fund for the Blind has been instrumental in scaling these efforts. “The Lavelle Fund for the Blind is very proud to be a small part of this game-changing program bringing innovative technology solutions to blind and visually impaired students in India, helping to bridge the education-to-employment gap,” says Susan Olivo, Executive Director & CEO of the Lavelle Fund. “We strongly believe in and support programs that improve access to education and help level the playing field for blind and visually impaired people.”   

The project now serves 28 schools for the blind across 13 states. In the next three years, Benetech aims to serve over 5,000 students by building partnerships with key Indian states and scaling the Saksharta project. With a commitment of $650,000 from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind and additional support from corporate partners, Benetech is laying the foundation for a sustainable, scalable program that will impact future generations of students with disabilities.

Benetech is a nonprofit dedicated to driving social change through technological innovation. Its programs focus on providing accessible solutions for blind, visually impaired and neurodiverse individuals. Visit www.benetech.org. 

The Lavelle Fund for the Blind is a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting programs that assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Fund focuses on initiatives that promote education, employment, and independence for people with visual impairments. 

Clinton Global Initiative, founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, is a community of doers representing a broad cross-section of society and dedicated to the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Through CGI’s unique model, more than 10,000 organizations have launched more than 4,000 Commitments to Action — new, specific, and measurable projects and programs — that are making a difference in the lives of more than 500 million people in 180 countries.