Eyeway Conversations

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Zuhaib Khan, a young professional from Lucknow who lost his vision gradually due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.Zuhaib opens up about how vision loss reshaped his life—his education, friendships, and career—and how he learned to navigate the world with resilience and purpose. From studying science and facing barriers in mainstream education to finding new direction through radio, technology, and advocacy, Zuhaib’s story is one of transformation and courage.A passionate radio enthusiast, he shares how sound became his companion and how, for someone blind, radio holds a depth and intimacy that sighted listeners can never fully understand. Today, Zuhaib works to empower others with visual impairments, spreading awareness and confidence through his lived experience.Tune in to hear his story of acceptance, growth, and the power of sound.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Pradeep Gangvar—a teacher, poet, musician, and social worker from Lucknow.Pradeep’s story takes us from a small farming family in Bareilly to the ashrams of Vrindavan, the classrooms of Lucknow University, and into his life as a music teacher and social advocate. Along the way, he discovered poetry as his voice for social change, wrote on issues ranging from corruption to women’s empowerment, and became deeply involved in improving education and opportunities for the visually impaired in Uttar Pradesh.In this heartfelt conversation, Pradeep shares how resilience, education, and creativity shaped his journey—and why he continues to see poetry and music as tools for social transformation.Listen now to discover the man behind the poems and the melodies, and how he’s lighting the way for others.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit:⁠ www.scorefoundation.org.in⁠

Losing sight is not just a physical change—it’s an emotional journey.Meet Pratishtha, Assistant Manager at SBI, who lost her vision completely at 26. From navigating the trauma of vision loss to challenging perceptions at her workplace, her story is one of resilience, acceptance, and strength.Tune in to hear how she rebuilt her life while dealing with emotional barriers, societal attitudes, and the everyday challenges of blindness.Listen to the full episode of Eyeway Rubaru now!If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, call the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham is joined by Matthew Horspool, a blind professional from Coventry, United Kingdom. Blind since birth, Matthew opens up about his childhood, his education in special schools, and the challenges of stepping into mainstream spaces.Today, he works across the UK supporting blind people in their workplaces, but that’s only part of his story. From navigating accessibility in banking and technology to pursuing his lifelong passion for music, Matthew’s journey is layered and full of surprising turns.Tune in to discover how he built his path.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs support, please share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Nidheesh Philip, co-founder of Equibeing Foundation. Based in Bangalore, the non-profit works on five key pillars: sports, education, social perception change, livelihood, and research—focusing on persons with disabilities.Nidheesh shares how Equibeing trains blind children in swimming for safety and endurance, builds digital literacy and communication skills across schools in Karnataka and Kerala, and explores livelihood training for young people with visual impairment. He also talks about their advocacy work, including a recent study on accessibility of banking services in Bangalore.Beyond his professional role, Nidheesh opens up about growing up blind in Kerala, pursuing social work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and navigating a government job before moving into the social sector.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

Can you imagine working for 25 years in a field you love only to suddenly lose it all?Anshu Jaiswal spent 25 years in the hospitality industry. A successful hotel professional, she lived a vibrant life filled with travel, food, and family. But when she lost her vision due to diabetic retinopathy, everything changed.This is Eyeway Rubaru, where we talk to people who have experienced late blindness in their lives to understand their journeys.Anshu didn’t stop. She started her own food business, and rebuilt joy with the help of family and friends.Her story reminds us: losing sight doesn't mean losing direction.Listen to the full episode nowIf you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Or visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

Agustya Mehta is the Director of Hardware Engineering at Meta, leading a team that prototypes new hardware and software — from early mixed reality headsets to cutting-edge wearable devices. Among Meta’s most talked-about products is the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, designed for the mainstream market but proving to be a game-changer for blind and low vision users.In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, Agustya shares:How the first prototype for AI-enabled smart glasses emerged from a Meta hackathonWhy blind and low vision employees at Meta pushed for accessible featuresHow AI in the glasses can read text, describe images, and identify objectsThe importance of mainstream design in reducing stigma around assistive techWhat’s next for India: more language support, local partnerships, and affordability strategiesIf you know someone with vision impairment who could benefit from accessible tech, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334 Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

They told him his face made people uncomfortable.Manoj Kumar, an acid attack survivor, has been job hunting for years — not because he lacks skills, but because society can’t look past his scars.This is Eyeway Rubaru, where we talk to people who have experienced late blindness in their lives to understand their journeys.It leaves us wondering: If we claim to be an inclusive society, why do we force people like Manoj to cover their faces just to step outside? Why do we measure human worth by appearance rather than ability?Help Manoj get a Job.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Or Visit:⁠⁠ www.scorefoundation.org.in

After losing her mother, Aanchal began to lose her eyesight just before her Class 10 exams. Despite the emotional and physical challenges, she didn’t stop.In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, Aanchal shares her powerful journey—from being denied admission due to her blindness to cracking CLAT and becoming a lawyer. Now working with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, she’s helping shape a more inclusive legal and digital system in India.Aanchal talks about:Navigating mainstream education as a blind studentFacing institutional rejection and choosing law over medicinePreparing for CLAT with minimal accessible resourcesWorking at top law firms and pushing for structural inclusionFighting for digital accessibility as a fundamental rightShe also reflects on the recent Supreme Court judgment that recognised digital accessibility as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.If you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

Siddharth Mahajan grew up in Vijayapura, a small town in northern Karnataka. Born blind, he faced many challenges in school, including being teased and excluded. But with the support of his family and a few teachers who believed in him, Siddharth slowly built a strong academic path for himself.In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, he talks about:Studying in a mainstream school as a blind studentDeveloping a deep interest in English literatureInterning with The Hindu and completing online global coursesTeaching himself music and releasing his first Kannada trackWhy he wants to become a professor and change how people see disability in educationIf you know someone with vision impairment who needs help or guidance, share the Eyeway Helpline: 8800 00 4334Visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sandeep Sharma, a government school teacher from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Blind since childhood, Sandeep’s journey is rooted in curiosity—from tinkering with radios and playing harmonium to mastering screen readers and launching one of the most unique platforms for blind users: Techno with Friends.What started as a group of friends sharing tech tips evolved into a YouTube channel, a 24x7 internet radio, and a hub of accessible learning content—including tutorials on music production, screen readers, and computers. Sandeep’s love for Hindi, his innovative DIY spirit, and his belief in self-learning are inspiring a generation of visually impaired individuals across India.Listen in to hear how one teacher turned his limitations into a launchpad.Connect with Techno With Friends:WhatsApp: 9460504850YouTube: Techno With FriendsFor guidance on life with blindness, call the Eyeway National Helpdesk: 8800 004 334

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Ummehaani Bagasrawala, a corporate executive at Deutsche Bank and the founder of Pearls of Vision. Ummehaani shares her journey navigating the structured world of banking, her early career in marketing and sales, and the personal challenges she faced as a visually impaired student seeking accessible education.She talks about facing exclusion in the workplace, the lack of systemic support for students with disabilities, and how these experiences motivated her to start Pearls of Vision, a volunteer-led initiative that connects blind students with scribes, readers, and career guidance.Tune in to hear how one woman turned everyday hurdles into meaningful support for others in the blind community.For scribe or reader support, or to volunteer, reach out to Pearls of Vision via WhatsApp or social media.Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334⁠ www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sameer Latey, a finance professional with over 25 years of corporate experience, currently working at Reliance Industries.Despite losing his vision completely in 2000, Sameer pursued Chartered Accountancy, navigated articleship without digital accessibility, and steadily built a successful career in finance and accounting. From Tally and SAP to mergers, acquisitions, and taxation, his professional footprint spans major organizations across Mumbai.Beyond work, Sameer is actively involved with Snehankit Helpline, mentoring others, developing screen reader-compatible Tally training, and supporting blind students with accessible study materials. In this conversation, he shares:How he entered finance and cracked CA before accessibility tools were mainstreamWorking in diverse roles at Union Bank, MCX, and RelianceTips on navigating corporate life as a blind professionalHow screen readers, self-learning, and teamwork shaped his careerHis ongoing volunteer work and why staying updated is non-negotiableReflections on AI’s growing role in finance and accessibilityEyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334 www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Nyonyok, a multi-talented blind student from Arunachal Pradesh, currently pursuing English Honours at St. Edmund's College, Shillong.From growing up in a remote corner of Northeast India with limited awareness about disability, to becoming an international blind football player, rapper, music producer, and voice artist—Nyonyok’s story is full of quiet determination and creativity.In this episode, he shares:His early years in inclusive and residential schools across Assam and MeghalayaRepresenting India in blind football, and his childhood experiments with tying plastic bags to footballs to make them audibleDiscovering his voice through music in class 3, and later teaching himself beatboxing and multiple instrumentsTransitioning into rap music as a form of personal expression, delivering 478 words per minuteLearning audio production independently using Reaper, and now freelancing for projects with clients including National Book Trust and NIEPVDWhy he continues working from Shillong and his vision for launching accessible production coursesTune in to listen to a story that challenges conventions around disability, ability, and artistic expression.Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334 Learn more at: www.scorefoundation.org.in

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Sagar Patil, a visually impaired entrepreneur from Mumbai and founder of Ideal Innovative Group (IIG).After being denied admission to study electronics due to his blindness, Sagar pursued his passion independently—repairing radios, reading technical manuals, and learning through practice. What began as self-study evolved into a structured business model. Today, he designs and manufactures solar-powered torches, sensor-based lighting, and accessible tools such as talking multimeters—devices now used by other blind professionals.Sagar also runs a training program where visually impaired individuals learn electronics and gain work experience. Some go on to join his company, while others start ventures of their own in cities across Maharashtra.In this conversation, he shares:How curiosity led him to electronicsDesigning tools tailored for blind usersCollaborating with companies like Tata Power and MahindraCreating food products using mushroom byproductsSupporting others to build independent livelihoodsFor information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334Listen to the full episode now.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with O. Aishwarya, a PhD scholar at IIIT Bangalore, working at the intersection of assistive technology, social sciences, and inclusive education.Aishwarya’s research focuses on developing tactile art opportunities for children who are blind, with a goal to establish an independent grammar of tactile expression—distinct from visual interpretations. Through her work, she questions visual-centric notions of art and explores how texture, space, and sequencing redefine creative engagement for blind learners.She also opens up about:Studying in mainstream schools in Kerala and Karnataka, and the gaps in inclusive practicesHer experience of being denied access to swimming pools in Bangalore, despite being a trained swimmerMissing out on geometry, lab work, and life skills due to a lack of accessible pedagogyLearning braille, computer skills, and mobility much later, led entirely by family effort and timingThe shift she experienced when Azim Premji University proactively asked her about accommodations—an empowering first step.This is a compelling conversation that challenges conventional ideas of access, participation, and the role of institutions in enabling inclusion.For information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 8800 00 4334Listen to the full episode now.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Divya Bijur, a Mumbai-based physiotherapist and trained singer. Divya, who is visually impaired, has built a successful independent practice while pursuing her passion for music,travel and languages.She shares her journey of navigating physiotherapy education at a time when mainstream inclusion for visually impaired students was rare in India. Drawing from her international exposure in the UK and Australia, Divya adopted adaptive techniques and practical solutions to deliver high-quality patient care.🔹 Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy through mainstream education 🔹 Establishing her own clinic to create a structured and accessible work environment 🔹 Building patient relationships through communication and personalized care 🔹 Developing a love for languages, travel, and Hindustani classical music 🔹 Using music as a medium for self-expression and emotional wellbeingDivya’s story offers insight into determination, professional excellence, and the importance of accessible education and workspaces for persons with disabilities.For information or support, contact the Eyeway Helpdesk: 1800 53 20469Listen to the full conversation now.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Sanjay Jain, Professor at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.Blind since childhood, Dr. Jain opens up about his journey from studying music to becoming a leading academic in law. He reflects on the role of inclusive education, strong mentorship, and self-advocacy in overcoming systemic barriers—both in academia and public life.From braille textbooks in school to inaccessible law classroomsContributing to accessibility reforms under the guidance of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, as part of a Supreme Court Committee Researching feminism and later championing disability rightsThe importance of attitude, technology, and resilienceGuidance for visually impaired students pursuing legal careersA powerful story of purpose, perseverance, and paving the way for others.If you or someone you know needs support, call the Eyeway Helpdesk: 1800 53 20469Subscribe to Eyeway Conversations for more such impactful stories.

In this heartfelt episode, George Abraham speaks with Nzano Shitio, a young writer and musician from Kohima, Nagaland, who is currently interning at Enable India in Bangalore. Nzano, whose name means "lovely" in her native language, opens up about her inspiring journey as a woman with visual impairment.She shares her early struggles growing up in Nagaland, where limited accessibility and delayed education posed significant hurdles. Nzano also bravely talks about her long battle with depression, which spanned nearly a decade. Despite facing rejection from music institutions and the weight of societal prejudice, she found solace and strength in her creative pursuits. A turning point came through the guidance of a compassionate mentor, which helped her rediscover her voice and purpose. Today, Nzano channels her experiences into music and writing, using them as powerful tools of self-expression and resilience.Learn about:How Nzano discovered music at age nine and taught herself to play guitarThe inclusive school environment that supported her despite limited resourcesHer struggle with accepting her disability due to societal attitudesThe transformative mentorship that helped her overcome suicidal thoughtsHer current work with the Manomaya project focusing on mental health for persons with disabilitiesHer creative aspirations including songwriting and upcoming music releaseThis inspiring conversation highlights the importance of resilience, mentorship, and following one's passion even in the face of significant obstacles.This podcast is brought to you by the Score Foundation. If you know anyone with vision impairment who needs guidance, please share the Eyeway National Toll-Free Helpline number: 1800 53 20 469.

In the light of World Autism Acceptance Week, George Abraham talks to Moneisha Gandhi and Gopika Kapoor, two mothers from Mumbai who created the BuddyUp Network app to help people with disabilities find friends and build connections.The guests share their personal journeys as parents of children with disabilities (Down syndrome and autism) and how their children's friendship inspired them to develop a secure, accessible app that now connects 4,000+ users across India. Interestingly, most of the users of this app belong to the visually impaired community.This conversation highlights how innovative solutions can address the social isolation often experienced by those with autism and other disabilities.Learn about:The challenges of social isolation faced by people with disabilitiesHow the BuddyUp Network app works and its security featuresThe impact of meaningful friendships on their children's livesWhy the app has become particularly popular among visually impaired usersSuccess stories of users forming community groupsUpcoming features including a dating/matchmaking option for users seeking life partnersThis free app is available in both English and Hindi on iOS and Android, with special accessibility features including dark mode for users with low vision. The platform welcomes people of all disabilities and ages.This podcast is brought to you by the Score Foundation. To support work with the blind and visually impaired, visit: www.scorefoundation.org.inEyeway National Toll-Free Helpline: If you or someone you know with vision impairment needs guidance, contact1-800-5320-469.