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Jyotir Gamya

Jyotir Gamya: Saksham’s rural outreach programme to digitally empower visually disabled persons in under resourced areas

About the Project

Jyotir Gamya is a rural outreach initiative by Saksham focused on promoting digital empowerment and assistive technology access for persons with disabilities, especially individuals with visual impairments and print disabilities living in underserved and rural communities.

The project aims to bridge the digital divide by creating awareness about assistive technology, enabling access to accessible devices and digital tools, building digital literacy, and supporting independent living, education, and livelihood opportunities.

Implemented in partnership with leading technology institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities, the initiative strengthens inclusive digital ecosystems through training, outreach, and community-based support networks.

Jyotir Gamya network has been established across all 24 districts of the State.

Participants and trainers interacting during a Jyotir Gamya digital inclusion and assistive technology training session, focused on empowering persons with visual impairments through digital literacy, accessible technology, and community learning.

Project Objectives

  • Promote digital inclusion for persons with disabilities
  • Increase awareness and usage of assistive technologies
  • Provide accessible digital devices and customized solutions
  • Build local leadership and peer-support networks
  • Enhance opportunities for education, employment, and independent living
  • Support persons with disabilities in rural and under-resourced regions
 

Our Vision

Jyotir Gamya envisions an inclusive digital society where persons with disabilities, irrespective of geography or socio-economic background, can access information, education, livelihood opportunities, and assistive technologies with dignity and independence.

Through innovation, partnerships, and community leadership, Saksham continues to work toward building accessible and inclusive digital ecosystems across India.

Implementation Model

The project follows a three-layered community outreach structure:

State Champions

Digitally skilled persons with disabilities are trained as Master Trainers to lead awareness and technology support activities in their respective states.

Saksham Citizens

Community members trained in assistive technologies who further support outreach, peer learning, and digital literacy initiatives.

Saksham Aarthis

Persons with visual impairments and low vision who receive assistive devices, technology orientation, and training support for digital inclusion.

Project Reach and Impact

Jharkhand & Odisha

With support from the Tata Steel Foundation and in partnership with the IIT Delhi Assistech Lab, the project worked extensively to improve digital literacy and assistive technology access among visually impaired persons.

Key Achievements

  • 10 State Champions trained and positioned as Master Trainers
  • 183 Saksham Citizens trained through 8 capacity-building workshops
  • 1,059 non-technology users counselled and connected to digital inclusion networks
  • 73 advanced-level Saksham Champions trained for community support
  • Distribution of assistive devices including:
    • Smartphones
    • Bluetooth keyboards
    • Orbit Readers
    • Reading and writing assistive tools
Blind participant using a smartphone with an accessible Bluetooth keyboard during a Jyotir Gamya assistive technology training session, demonstrating digital literacy, accessible technology use, and independent learning for persons with visual impairments.
Trainer providing hands-on assistive technology guidance to a blind participant during a Jyotir Gamya digital inclusion session, supporting accessible learning and independent use of digital devices.
Blind participant learning to use smartphone accessibility features during a Jyotir Gamya assistive technology training session, enhancing digital literacy, communication, and independent access to information.

Chhattisgarh Initiative

The Chhattisgarh phase of Jyotir Gamya was implemented with support from United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with:

  • IIT Delhi Assistech Lab
  • IIT Madras R2D2 Lab
  • National Institute of Speech and Hearing
  • Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)

The initiative addressed the needs of persons with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities through customized assistive technology solutions, digital literacy trainings, and accessible technology demonstrations.

Other Highlights – Chhattisgarh

  • 36% women participation ensured.

  • Digital Inclusion Networks of all three disability groups formed in 30 out of 33 districts in the State.

  • Indian Institute of Technology Delhi customized smartphones with Bluetooth keyboards for visually impaired persons.

  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras developed lightweight lower limbs.

  • National Institute of Speech and Hearing developed vibrating alert devices under the project.

  • Smartphones with Bluetooth keyboards distributed to visually impaired persons, vibrating alert devices distributed to hearing impaired persons, and lower limbs fitted for persons with physical disabilities.

Trainer helping a blind participant use an accessible Braille learning device during a Jyotir Gamya assistive technology training session.
**Alt Text:** Group photograph of participants and organizers attending a Jyotir Gamya disability inclusion and digital empowerment training program in Chhattisgarh. The participants, including persons with physical disabilities and women participants, are seated and standing in a hall during a district champions training session organized with support from ESCAP and partner institutions. A project banner related to digital inclusion and assistive technology is displayed in the background.
Participants seated in a community training session during a Jyotir Gamya digital inclusion workshop for persons with disabilities.
Group photo of participants attending the Jyotir Gamya Training of Physically Impaired District Champions program in Chhattisgarh. Persons with disabilities, trainers, and organizers are seated and standing together in a community hall during a digital inclusion and assistive technology training session supported by ESCAP and partner organizations.
A blind participant receives hands-on guidance on using an accessible Braille learning device during a Jyotir Gamya assistive technology training.

Major Outcomes

  • 30 technology users trained through Training of Trainers (ToT) programs.

  • 390 District Champions trained across disability groups.

Champions

  • 10 champions identified from each disability group – Physical, Visual, and Hearing Disabilities.

District Champions

  • 145 youth and women with visual disabilities,

  • 125 youth and women with hearing disabilities, and

  • 120 youth and women with physical disabilities
    have been trained to function as District Champions.

Digital Inclusion Networks

  • 469 youth and women with physical disabilities,

  • 430 youth and women with hearing disabilities, and

  • 634 youth and women with visual disabilities
    have been counselled and added to the Digital Inclusion Network.

  • 1,533 persons with disabilities counselled and connected to digital inclusion networks.

  • Development of a mobile application for tracking assistive technology access and outreach.

  • Distribution of smartphones, Bluetooth keyboards, and customized mobility solutions.

Trainer demonstrating assistive technology devices to participants during a Jyotir Gamya digital inclusion workshop, while attendees observe and interact in a hands-on learning session.