Arunodaya (Sunrise) for Blind
Why Arunodaya
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India is home to 320,000 blind children, the majority of which live in remote areas without any access to formal education.
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Only 29.16 per cent of the blind in India are part of the education system as per a survey conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Good proportion of these children are registered in the school but do not go to Classroom.
Through Arunodaya the Foundation identifies blind children (ages 5-14 years) from remote parts of India and prepares them in basic literacy and skills on 1-1 basis under trainers certified and trained by our team of qualified special educators.
Objectives
Provide a fair opportunity for the blind children to have a chance at life through school-readiness program
Prepare blind children to thrive within India’s existing social and educational systems.
Enable education systems to integrate visually challenged children within regular classrooms such that these children become contributing members of society.
Rs. 6666/- or $ 83 a month can help a blind child get ready for school with the hope for better life!
Learnings from our earlier programs
Technology for Visually Challenged Program
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Challenges in integration with sighted peers of same class levels
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Success of supplementary interventions (our program)
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Very few of the blind children get the opportunity of education
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We must start young to make a real impact (bridge the opportunity gap)
Success of the Train the Trainers Program
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Local youth engagement
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Visible improvement in students' academic performance and local civic engagement
Execution Plan
One-on-one training for each child aimed at personalized training and nurturing the confidence of the child to move around in non-home surroundings (especially that of a school), develop their interest in learning and education, and prepare them to succeed at a regular school.
Phase 1 (6 Months): Training
After completion of the preliminary training, the children will join schools in their locality. For a period of six months, they will be assisted in their commutes between home and school, and movements in the school. Trainers will observe the children’s interaction and participation in the school.
Phase 2 (6 Months): Assimilation
Program Implementation in Seven Indian States
1. Uttar Pradesh (March 2022)
63 Students | 26 Mentors | 9 Special Educators
2. Chhattisgarh (July 2022)
17 Students | 17 Mentors | 1 Special Educators
3. West Bengal (November 2022)
76 Students | 24 Mentors | 9 Special Educators
4. Madhya Pradesh (March 2023)
43 Students | 16 Mentors | 4 Special Educators
5. Andhra Pradesh (December 2023)
8 Students | 7 Mentors | 0 Special Educators
6. Rajasthan (March 2024)
36 Students | 10 Mentors | 3 Special Educators
7. Maharashtra (March 2024)
12 Students | 08 Mentors | 2 Special Educators
Partnerships
Research Partner
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National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities, India
Curriculum and Training Modules Development || Workshops and Trainings
Strategic Partners
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Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Government of India's flagship program for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education)
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Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (Government of India’s initiative on improving quality of education for all students, including children with special needs)
Collaboration with like-minded organizations to scale the program
