Ngo for blind people in India||Sightsavers

1. SIGHTSAVERS Transforming lives since 1966 …

2. Surveys state that India has the largest visually-impaired population in the world. 75% of these visually-impaired casescould have been prevented, had treatment been available to them at affordable prices. Blindness is an important cause and effect of poverty.

3. Sightsavers is a global non-profit organization (NGO) that operates in over 30 countries across the world. • It has been saving sights and changing lives in India since1966, and has been counted among the top 10 NGOs in India. • Sightsavers has undertaken several initiatives to expand the reach of its eye-health services to regions across the least served parts of Indian sub-continent. • Their work in India has enabled thousands of people to lead their lives with freedomand dignity. WHO WE ARE

4. We aspire for a society where no one loses their vision because of lack of resources and everyone have proper healthcare. • We are working for an inclusive society where there are equal opportunities for all to reach their full potentialand contribute for a better future. Our Vision

5. To improve coverage and access to affordable, quality eye-health services across India. • To increase awareness and improve attitudes towards eye ailments with the vision of an inclusive society. • Help educate the vast number of children suffering from visual-impairment and make them active participants in the society. • Equip the visually-impaired with skills and assistance they need to earn a living and lead an independent life. Our Objectives

6. We work towards preventionof avoidable blindness in the country. • Our work also aims at bringing socialequality as well as inclusivity for people with disabilities. • Assist those who have incurable visual-impairment to live independently. • We ensure that people with visual-impairments have access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative programs without financial challanges. What We Do

7. There are 8 million people in India suffering from blindness orsome type of corneal diseaseand most of them live in the poorest sections of the country with no access to the basic health care facilities. • These unfortunate people live with this disability due to lack of finances or proper vision restoration clinics and hospitals. • The political body of India tends to ignore their plight for help as they don’t form a huge vote bank. • Lack of medication and trearmentbecomes both the cause and effect of blindness. It forms a vicious cycle that is hard to come out of until a hand of help is extended. Causes of visual disability

8. REFRACTIVE ERROR • Refractive erroris an eye-ailment where light does not accurately focus onto the retina due to the shape of the eye. It results in an impaired vision and easily curable with eyeglasses, lenses and surgery. • CATARACT • Cataract is clouding of the eye’s lens leading to a decrease in vision. It often develops slowly and can affect one or both the eyes. This can be treated with medication and surgery. What Are We Up Against?

9. GLAUCOMA • Glaucoma is a group of eye-diseases that results in damage to the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. It can be prevented if the disease is recognized early • CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS • It may occur due to genetic mutations, birth defects, premature birth, nutritional deficiencies, infections, injuries, and other causes and in some cases it can be reversed. • TRACHOMA • It causes a roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. This roughening can lead to pain, breakdown of the cornea and eventual blindness. It can be treated with antibiotics in early stages and with surgery to treat advance forms. What Are We Up Against?

10. Your small contribution could change someone’s life. Raise your voice for people who do not get heard. • Help us in our missionto transform the life ofpeople who cannot afford to do it on their own. We need you! • Donate for our noble cause today! We need your invaluable support to carry out our work. Without it, we cease to exist. • Anyone can contribute by partnering up with us on our projects and initiatives. You can find out about our Partnership Policy in our website. Help us illuminate someone’s life

11. Sightsavers works passionately to provide inclusive education andensure that visually impaired or blind children are included in mainstream education. It is a crucial step towards eliminating poverty and social discrimination. • Children born without disability should be made aware about the challenges our disabled community face so they can accept blind and visually impaired children from an early age and treat them as their equals. • Education allows the differently challenged person to live in a normal social environment. They no longer feel isolated and participate more actively in social activities throughout their lives. Benefits of education

12. Teachers and volunteers are being trained to advance the inclusion process so they can provideblind and visually impaired with skills. • We also provide right technology and physical aids like Braille books and white canes along with low vision devices provide greater independence to survive with dignity. • Sightsavers is a member of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE). It works with local & regional partners to strengthen the development of national education in India so that free and inclusive education is available to all. Means of Education

13. We believe that people with disabilities such as blindness or Visual impairment must have equal rights to achieve their full full potential. There have been many improvements in the past due to the work or Sightsavers in India. We want to continue this initiative and provide access to the public and private services to the disabled community. Social Inclusion

14. Preventing blindness increases access to education, employment and prosperity, and enables greater participation in civil, social and political life. • Sightsavers supports inclusive education to ensures blind and visually impaired children are included in mainstream education. It is crucial to lift people out of poverty and help them participate in social activities on equal basis with other children. • We believe that people with disabilities such as blindness or visual impairments have an equal right to achieve their full potential, just like everyone else. That is why we provide healthcare, rehabilitative and technological aids for their better survival. Promotion of sight, inclusivity and equality

15. Vidya, a seventy year old mother was detected with cataract in both eyes. She had an all expenses paid surgery after which she was able to see. She is now preparing for a second surgery based on our doctor’s recommendation. She extends her gratitude to UAPF, Sightsavers and MahadeoSinghvi Eye Hospital for helping her in seeing again. • Pushpalata is a 20-year old married woman with 6 children and she is from UP. She was struggling to provide care and education to all her children with a low-income job of stitching. She was introduced to Viklang Kalyan, an initiative of Sightsavers. She received the skill development training from and now she heads Viklang Kalyan in Bhairopur. She provides trainings on stitching and designing which helps her earn a steady income that is enough for a good living. Success Stories