Vision Empower

Vision Empower Vision Empower is working on research and design of programs to make STEM education inclusive and accessible for students with visual impairments.

16/06/2026

When we hear firsthand feedback from our students and teachers, we are reminded why accessible STEM education matters so deeply. It reaffirms that we are working for the right cause that deserves far more attention and investment.

This is the story of the students who inspire us every day, the teachers who make inclusion possible, and the power of collaboration to create lasting change.

A learner discovers the joy of a science experiment. A student uses technology to read independently. A teacher helps make complex concepts come alive through tactile materials. These moments together represent something powerful -the confidence to learn, explore, and dream without limits, when young learners begin to imagine futures in science, technology, and other fields that once felt out of reach.

We are grateful to SBI Foundation (SBIF) for partnering with us on this journey since 2024 in the state of Odisha, helping make STEM education more accessible for children with visual impairment across 28 special schools, benefiting more than 1000 students and 200 + teachers.

Supriya Dey

What game from your childhood still brings back a flood of memories?Was it a heated game of Ludo that ended in arguments...
11/06/2026

What game from your childhood still brings back a flood of memories?

Was it a heated game of Ludo that ended in arguments and laughter? A Carrom match with cousins during summer vacations? Or endless rounds of Hide and Seek or Kho Kho with friends until someone called you home?

Beyond the fun, play quietly taught us teamwork, patience, problem-solving, creativity, and fair play.

Play is woven into all our activities with students. The idea is simple - children learn best when they are having fun. Through Project VICT (Computational Thinking for the Visually Impaired), learners engage with accessible games that build numeracy, logical reasoning, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and confidence.

Rooted in Ludic Design for Accessibility, we ensure that every game is designed so that children with visual impairments can participate, learn, and play alongside their peers.

This year's International Day of Play theme, "Protect Play, Protect Childhood," resonates deeply with us. Protecting play also means making it accessible, so every child can experience the joy of learning, friendship, and childhood. Let us protect play by making it accessible for every child.

PS : This document includes alt text descriptions for all slides to support screen reader users.

The thought of summer vacation brings a wave of nostalgia—long days at home, mangoes, grandmother's stories, endless pla...
10/06/2026

The thought of summer vacation brings a wave of nostalgia—long days at home, mangoes, grandmother's stories, endless playtime with friends, and somewhere in between, trying to finish holiday homework.

Our learners had a similar experience this summer, with plenty of games and learning along the way. A three-day summer camp was organised at the Vision Empower office in Bengaluru and at the National Association for the Blind, Karnataka (NAB-K), bringing together students and parents from different districts of Karnataka. Through games, hands-on Maths activities, and exploration of our experiential learning zone set up at the office, participants enjoyed a joyful and engaging learning experience.

We also organised online summer camps across schools in different states so that students, especially those returning home from residential schools during the long break, could continue learning and stay engaged.

We were also invited by other institutions to conduct summer programmes, allowing us to reach and engage even more children.

For us, the camp was also an opportunity to understand how children were engaging with the accessible content we created, assess their learning levels, and identify areas where our curriculum and learning materials could be further strengthenened.

A special highlight of these programmes was the involvement of parents. By participating in activities, they became active partners in their children's educational journey.

For us, the camp was also an opportunity to understand how children were engaging with the accessible content we created, assess their learning levels, and identify areas where our curriculum and learning materials could be further strengthened.

05/06/2026

On World Environment Day, we remind the students we work with that education is not just about learning concepts; it is about understanding the world around us and our place within it. It is about observing, questioning, and caring for the environment we all share.

At Vision Empower, while our work focuses on making STEM accessible, the values at the heart of learning extend far beyond science concepts. Through hands-on activities and projects, students explore what it means to respect nature, live sustainably, and act responsibly in their everyday lives.

When a child learns to observe the environment, question how things work, and reflect on the impact of their choices, they are not just learning science; they are learning stewardship.

The activities featured here come from a range of our school engagements, including projects undertaken as part of Wipro Foundation's Earthian programme and other school initiatives that encourage environmental awareness and sustainable living.

This World Environment Day, we celebrate young minds who are growing into thoughtful citizens, equipped not only with knowledge but also with the values needed to build a more sustainable future.


02/06/2026

"National Science Day was months ago... so why are we still posting about it?"

Fair question.

The truth is, at Vision Empower, National Science Day isn't a one-day event.

Before the science exhibition celebrations, which often continue for a month or more, come weeks of preparation. Students and teachers who have been exploring science through tactile resources, accessible models, assistive technologies, and hands-on experiments spend time planning what they would like to showcase.

This year, nearly 3,000 students with visual impairments participated in Science Day celebrations across schools we work with, welcoming over 5,000 visitors to their science exhibitions. Visitors included parents, educators, students from sighted schools, government officials, and members of the wider community. Science Day celebration at this scale would not have been without the support of our CSR partners, who share our vision of making science accessible to every learner.

But the numbers tell only part of the story.

The real celebration was watching students confidently explain scientific concepts, demonstrate experiments independently, answer questions from visitors, and proudly take on the role of young scientists. When the celebration spans across 100+ schools in 17 states, it takes time to collect all the stories, feedback, and moments of pride!

Some stories are worth taking the time to tell.

A year ago, the Accessible Resource Centre (ARC), in association with IIIT Bangalore, under the CSR initiative by Bosch ...
29/05/2026

A year ago, the Accessible Resource Centre (ARC), in association with IIIT Bangalore, under the CSR initiative by Bosch Global Software Technologies, began with a simple thought: What if science and math could be explored in ways that truly include students with visual impairments?

Implemented by Vision Empower and the Centre For Accessibility In The Global South (CAGS) at IIIT Bangalore, ARC was set up in March 2025. Over the past year, it has grown into something much bigger. It has become a shared space that brings together students, educators, researchers, volunteers, and partners who believe learning should be accessible to everyone.

Inspired by the centre's impact, the idea expanded into ARC on Wheels, bringing a slice of this experiential space to schools in remote areas so more students can access STEM learning.

Today, ARC is filled not just with tactile STEM learning tools and playful learning experiences, but also with questions, innovation, and moments of wonder.

As ARC turned one, we celebrate everyone who has been part of this journey. Students, teachers, volunteers, and our CSR partner, Bosch Global Software Technologies, who believed in this idea and helped it grow.

Among many wonderful moments this year, here are a few that capture the spirit of ARC.

Implemented by Vision Empower and the Centre for Accessibility In The Global South (CAGS) at IIIT Bangalore, ARC was set up in March 2025. Over the past year, it has grown into something much bigger. It has become a shared space that brings together students, educators, researchers, volunteers, and partners who believe learning should be accessible to everyone.

Accessibility is at the heart of the work we do. This Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we reflect on this year...
21/05/2026

Accessibility is at the heart of the work we do. This Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we reflect on this year’s theme — DESIGN, DEVELOP, DELIVER.

Our team members work closely with visually impaired communities every day, helping create accessible learning experiences. We asked them what accessibility and digital inclusion mean to them, as well as to the learners and teachers they work with. Their reflections remind us that meaningful change begins when we DESIGN with the right intention, DEVELOP through research and the right tools and techniques, and DELIVER with not just empathy, but a rights-based approach with accessibility at the core.




A Class X student at Lighthouse for the Blind, Kolkata, Subhastryan Mardi comes from a farming family in Kalna, Malda, W...
15/05/2026

A Class X student at Lighthouse for the Blind, Kolkata, Subhastryan Mardi comes from a farming family in Kalna, Malda, West Bengal. Born with low vision, he found himself navigating between the worlds of blindness and sight. Reading print was tough, and learning Braille brought its own challenges, making daily studies increasingly difficult and affecting his confidence.

Over time, he grew hesitant to participate in classroom discussions or speak in front of others.

His journey took a new turn when his school became part of a STEM initiative supported by Vision Empower and Cognizant Foundation. Through this initiative, an accessible STEM lab was set up, teachers were trained on making learning more accessible and engaging for students with visual impairment, and students were introduced to digital literacy, computational thinking, and assistive technologies like Hexis and IRIS.

Hexis, an accessible Braille learning and reading device, helped him practise Braille more independently and comfortably. IRIS enabled him to explore science through hands-on, accessible experiments, making STEM learning more interactive, engaging, and approachable.

What made a real difference was the way Subhastryan embraced the technology with curiosity, interest, and a strong willingness to learn. With continuous support and regular practice, the student who once struggled quietly slowly began stepping forward with confidence.

A significant moment in his journey was attending Curious Minds 2025 in Bangalore, an inclusive science exhibition focused on making STEM learning accessible and experiential for children with visual impairment. The experience further strengthened both his curiosity and confidence in science.

Today, Subhastryan actively participates in science activities, quizzes, debates, and classroom discussions. He dreams of becoming a Physics teacher someday.

For his family and teachers, this transformation has been remarkable. Subhastryan’s story is a reminder that when children have access to the right learning environment, accessible tools, and the support of their teachers and parents, they do not just learn better; they begin believing in their own potential.



Vividha Shantana Halder Moupriya Das

What if technology could do more than just simplify life or entertain?What if it could make learning accessible and impa...
11/05/2026

What if technology could do more than just simplify life or entertain?

What if it could make learning accessible and impactful?

That belief continues to shape the work of Vision Empower.

For the last 9 years, we have introduced assistive technologies that are creating meaningful change inside schools for the visually impaired, helping learners and educators navigate barriers to access.

With Hexis, refreshable braille readers, children are reading textbooks independently, reading news, and confidently delivering speeches during school assemblies.

With Iris, tactile audio devices, learners are comprehending science diagrams better through touch and audio together.

Through accessible digital learning classrooms, more students are able to participate, engage, and learn independently.

And with AI integrations, these assistive technologies are becoming more personalised and learner-centric.

Today, more than 13,000 students and educators are becoming confident through these technologies.

This National Technology Day, we celebrate technology that empowers, includes, and makes learning accessible for all.

Join us in congratulating three of our colleagues at Vision Empower who were recently acknowledged with the “Abhinandan ...
10/05/2026

Join us in congratulating three of our colleagues at Vision Empower who were recently acknowledged with the “Abhinandan – The Long Service Award” for their contributions over 5+ years with us.

Their contribution has been recognised not only for the years they have spent here, but for something much deeper. Their journey with Vision Empower reflects commitment, connection with purpose, and the choice to keep showing up, year after year.

When we asked them what drives them to continue their work here, their answers were not about a job title or routine. It was about something more meaningful.

The vision and mission of the organisation.
The constant support, encouragement, and opportunities they receive at Vision Empower.
Seeing firsthand how learning becomes accessible to children with visual impairments.
The research-driven, play-based approach that makes learning engaging, effective, and inclusive.
And most importantly, knowing that their work truly makes a difference.

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IIIT Bangalore Innovation Centre, 26/C Hosur Road, Electronic City Phase 1
Bangalore
560100

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