Eyeway Conversations Eyeway

This episode of Eyeway Conversations dives into the world of assistive technology, empowering those with visual impairments. Host George Abraham welcomes Hunny Bhagchandani, the founder of Torchit Group, a company on a mission to revolutionize independence for the visually impaired.



We explore Hunny's inspiration for Torchit, possibly stemming from his experience with visually impaired children playing cricket. Hunny discusses the challenges the visually impaired community faces and Torchit's dedication to fostering self-reliance. The conversation delves into Torchit's flagship product, the Sarthi cane. This smart cane boasts superior accuracy and functionality compared to traditional white canes.



Hunny unveils Jyoti AI, a comprehensive ecosystem of assistive devices, including:

Jyoti AI Smart Eye Glasses - wearable tech for object recognition, scene description, and navigation assistance.

Jyoti AI Reader - a portable scanner for reading printed materials, offering offline and online functionalities.

Jyoti AI Pro - a compact and versatile 15 gm device. This can be attached to glasses or clothing, transforming them into powerful AI assistants.



Hunny acknowledges the current reliance on free assistive devices provided by the government and CSR initiatives. He advocates for a paradigm shift, viewing visually impaired individuals as empowered consumers who can invest in high-quality products. Hunny discusses the growing demand for assistive technology within the visually impaired community and their increasing desire to invest in their independence.



The episode introduces Enable Mart, an online platform envisioned as a one-stop shop for accessibility solutions, similar to "Amazon for accessibility". This platform aims to bridge the gap between the supply and demand for assistive products, catering to various disabilities.



The conversation concludes with Hunny highlighting his participation in Shark Tank India and the subsequent surge in demand for Torchit's products. Listeners are encouraged to visit the Torchit website (https://mytorchit.com/) and explore Enable Mart (https://enablemart.in/) for a comprehensive range of assistive solutions.

In this inspiring episode of Eyeway Conversations, host George Abraham interviews Ruhin Bhattasali, a remarkable young girl who secured an exceptional 98.2% in her CBSE 12th standard exams, all while facing the challenges of blindness. Ruhin's story is one of perseverance and determination. She candidly discusses her decision to pursue the science stream, a path less traveled by visually impaired students due to the heavy reliance on visual elements. She delves into the challenges she braved while preparing for the IIT entrance exams, a notoriously difficult feat in India. Ruhin doesn't shy away from mentioning the immense support system that played a crucial role in her success. She acknowledges the unwavering backing of her family, the dedication of her teachers, and the valuable guidance from coaching centers that went the extra mile to accommodate her needs.

The episode also sheds light on the significant hurdles visually impaired students encounter in education. Ruhin brings attention to the lack of accessible resources and technologies, making the learning process even more demanding. Despite these obstacles, Ruhin emerges as a role model, advocating for a more inclusive educational system.

The conversation culminates with Ruhin setting her sights on the future. She aspires to work in the research and development department of a leading technology company like Google or Microsoft. Her passion for research stems from her natural inclination towards logical thinking, problem-solving, and the practical application of knowledge. Ruhin's story is a testament to the power of human potential and the transformative impact of a supportive network. It serves as a beacon of hope for visually impaired students, demonstrating that academic excellence is achievable with dedication and the right resources.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link https://turboscribe.ai/transcript/share/5755600323783979056/qDLh8i06EpYVMfJCRIznK6kkB0KRroMFsyBp75uzsAg/ruhin-bhattasali.

This podcast episode is brought to you by Score Foundation.

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This podcast episode features George Abraham interviewing Tim Vedanayagam about his invention, Hearsight, a device designed to assist visually impaired people in their daily lives.

Hearsight offers a variety of features to help users navigate their surroundings. The Walk feature uses sonar to detect obstacles in front of the user and provides warnings. Object detection identifies objects within the user's field of view. Go See combines these features, cycling through object identification and obstacle warnings to give the user a comprehensive understanding of their surroundings.

Hearsight can also identify currencies, including their value, and recognize up to 200 faces. It even boasts color identification capabilities. Notably, all these features are available even when offline.

In online mode, Hearsight transforms into Hearsight Vision AI. This mode offers even more functionalities, such as object identification, scene description, and text reading. Additionally, a voice-assisted chatbot can answer questions using Google Search.

For situations where a more personalized touch is needed, Hearsight provides a Live volunteer help feature called C4B. This feature allows users to connect with a designated person, like a family member. This designated person can see a live video stream of the user's surroundings and offer guidance.

Hearsight is multilingual, supporting English, Hindi, and four other regional languages. It can even translate between more than 40 languages.

If you're interested in purchasing Hearsight, the MRP is 35,000 INR, but there's currently a 10% discount. You can order it from their website - www.hearsightaudiovision.com, or by calling 9940900174. The device comes with a one-year warranty and free software updates.

This episode of Eyeway Conversations features Moin Ahmad Idrisi, Julie Hamid, and their daughter Sarah Moin, a beacon of resilience overcoming her deafness, blindness, and severe speech impairment to score a remarkable 95% in her 10th exam on the ICSE board. Like Helen Keller's, Sarah's brilliance keeps surprising those who know her. The podcast explores Sarah's inspiring journey, narrated by her parents who played a pivotal role in her success.

Moin and Julie delve into the challenges Sarah has faced since infancy, including vision loss and hearing loss. They detail how they tirelessly sought treatment and explored various avenues to educate their daughter. The episode sheds light on their decision to educate Sarah at home initially, equipping her with Braille literacy and navigating the complexities of integrating her into a mainstream school.

The conversation highlights the couple's unwavering support as they meticulously converted textbooks into a Braille format and worked with Sarah's school to secure essential accommodations for her exams, including extended time and exemption from visual elements. They recount Sarah's insatiable curiosity and her fascination with subjects like science and math, even explaining how they devised creative solutions to explain complex concepts like cell division and the periodic table in a way that Sarah could comprehend through touch.

The podcast doesn't shy away from discussing the limitations Sarah faces in her social life, given her restricted mobility and dependence on family for navigating her surroundings. However, it also emphasizes her positive outlook and her hobbies, including reading novels on her Braille reader and even exploring social media platforms like WhatsApp.

As the episode progresses, Moin and Julie share their aspirations for Sarah's future. They initially considered encouraging her towards a career in English literature, perhaps even becoming a writer. However, Sarah has set her sights on becoming a teacher, inspired by the dedication of her instructors.

The heartwarming conversation concludes with the host expressing his admiration for Sarah's determination and his well wishes for her future endeavors. He also acknowledges the immense contribution of Moin and Julie, who have been pillars of strength for their daughter throughout her life.

This episode of Eyeway Conversations is a testament to the power of the human spirit and family's unwavering love and support in the face of adversity.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, our host George Abraham talks with Prashant Ranjan Verma, General Secretary of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) Delhi, on their latest initiatives to empower visually impaired individuals.



Addressing the challenge of limited access to audiobooks for people without smartphones or internet connectivity, NAB Delhi introduces Shravan. This IVR-based library allows users to call a phone number and navigate through menus using a keypad to listen to audiobooks. Features include chapter navigation, pausing/resuming playback, and easy browsing by category.



Shravan is planned to integrate with Sugamya Pustakalay, a national digital library initiative, significantly expanding the book collection. Additionally, membership is free for people with print disabilities. Shravan incorporates AI for voice search, allowing users to find books by title, subject, or author. While currently better in English, advancements are being made for Hindi.



Recognizing the challenges surrounding sexual and reproductive health discussions, particularly for visually impaired individuals, NAB Delhi created Aditi. This AI-powered chatbot on WhatsApp provides information in English and Hindi through text messages or voice notes, ensuring privacy and accessibility.



NAB Delhi offers an immersive program called Beyond Eyes, designed to sensitize people towards blindness. Participants engage in a series of activities in a completely dark room, simulating the daily experiences of visually impaired individuals. This is followed by discussions on assistive technologies and opportunities for the blind.



NAB Delhi's Music, Sports and Theater for the Blind initiative provides professional music training to blind children with musical talent. NAB Delhi also has a music group that performs at various events, including NGOs, schools, corporate offices, and prestigious auditoriums. Organizations interested in hosting the group's performance can contact NAB Delhi to discuss logistics and honorariums for the artists.



Overall, this episode highlights NAB Delhi's commitment to empowering visually impaired people through innovative solutions that bridge the accessibility gap and promote inclusion.

This episode of Eyeway Conversations explores the world of assistive technology for the blind with Piyush Chanana, lead scientist at the Assistech Lab at IIT Delhi. Piyush discusses his journey in developing solutions to empower visually challenged individuals, particularly in the field of education.



Key areas covered:


The importance of tactile diagrams and challenges in their implementation in India.
The role of tactile tools in learning STEM subjects and geography.
The ongoing debate between Braille and digital learning platforms for the blind.
Dr. Chanana's work on affordable Braille displays and developing a Braille laptop prototype.
Project Onboard - facilitating independent bus boarding for the blind.
The National Center for Assistive Health Technologies (NCAHT) - a one-stop shop for exploring and accessing assistive technology solutions.



Are you a teacher, parent, or individual seeking resources for the blind?



This episode offers valuable insights and information on how to access Piyush and the NCAHT to learn more about their work and access to assistive technologies.



Additionally, the episode explores:


The limitations of current tactile path implementation in India.
The importance of integrating tactile skill development from childhood.
The use of 3D printing in education for blind students.



This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about inclusive education and empowering the blind community.