Gauri Gupta's journey from a fair to founding Read to India exemplifies the power of determination, innovation, and inclusivity.
Gauri Gupta
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional education systems worldwide, presenting unique challenges and opportunities.
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For Gauri Gupta, a pivotal moment during the IRIS Science Fair highlighted the need for advanced technology to achieve her vision. Realizing that the necessary technology was not readily available in India, she embarked on a mission to bridge this gap. This led to the creation of Braille Bridge, a project aimed at providing accessible educational materials for visually impaired students.
The Birth of Braille Bridge
Gauri's journey began with a deep dive into the challenges faced by visually impaired students. She connected with "Access for All," an organization dedicated to inclusivity, to gain insights and assistance. Understanding the significance of tactile learning, Gauri decided to produce tactile books, which required substantial funding. Demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness, she raised funds by selling her paintings and tactile artworks. With the money raised, she procured tactile books for students and initiated the production, manufacturing, and distribution of these essential learning tools.
Revolutionizing Education for the Visually Impaired
Addressing the educational marginalization of visually impaired children, Gauri focused on creating tactile books for subjects like math, science, and geography. This initiative made education accessible in the most suitable format for visually impaired students.
Empowering Educators and Students
Recognizing that providing tactile books was only the first step, Gauri conducted numerous training sessions for teachers and educators. These sessions equipped them with the skills to teach visually impaired students how to use tactile books effectively. Additionally, Gauri used puppet shows to attract volunteers, further expanding her support network.
Read to India: Building an Inclusive Educational Ecosystem
Inspired by her experiences, Gauri founded Read to India, an initiative aimed at making education accessible and enjoyable for all children, regardless of socio-economic and physical boundaries. Her vision was to create an India where no child is deprived of education and knowledge. Read to India emerged during the 2019 COVID-19 lockdown with a mission to break down educational barriers, particularly in STEM fields, while fostering a love for reading.
Transforming Educational Access
Aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 of Quality Education, Read to India distributed 2,000 books to rural schools, establishing classroom libraries and conducting 1,000 hours of science and math classes with over 30 volunteers. What began as a simple read-aloud program during the pandemic evolved into a comprehensive educational project enhancing the skills, knowledge, and livelihood of individuals from marginalized communities.
Mobilizing Human Resources
Since its inception, Read to India has championed the utilization of human resources through volunteerism. Thousands of economically marginalized children have received education in subjects like science, math, and English through online classes conducted by hundreds of volunteers. The organization developed an online volunteering portal to connect resource persons with schools, NGOs, and other service users. This innovative solution addressed the challenges faced by underprivileged students due to a lack of professional resources.
Read to India Express: Empowering Visually Impaired Writers
Read to India also introduced Read to India Express, a pioneering publishing platform for young visually impaired writers. This app allows them to publish their work and receive skill development training in screen reader formats. For blind writers, it serves as a medium of self-expression, empowerment, and validation, while fostering empathy and appreciation for diversity among readers.
Expanding Horizons
Gauri's involvement in the IRIS Science Fair further expanded her impact, allowing her to explore the intersection of technology and accessibility for blind students. This experience led to the promotion of tactile graphics, providing new learning experiences for visually impaired students.
Continued Commitment and Impact
Read to India has made substantial strides in improving education for visually impaired individuals and abled children, reaching thousands and demonstrating significant outcomes. In 2023, the initiative evolved further, producing and distributing over 2,000 tactile books and 100 tactile diagrams, significantly contributing to Braille literacy for over 4,000 students across 10 cities in India.
To address the digital divide, Read to India distributed 2,000 smartphones to underprivileged visually impaired high school students across 20 districts in Rajasthan. This enabled access to audiobooks, online resources, and supportive services, significantly enhancing their educational experience.
Gauri continues to develop initiatives that make education more accessible. The Read to India Express app, for example, provides a platform for disabled individuals to publish their work, fostering a more inclusive literary world. This initiative, shortlisted for the semifinals of the 2024 Technovation Girls, empowers visually impaired individuals by giving them a voice and a platform to share their stories.
Gauri Gupta's journey from a fair to founding Read to India exemplifies the power of determination, innovation, and inclusivity. Her efforts have revolutionized the educational landscape for visually impaired students in India, making learning accessible and enjoyable for all. Through initiatives like Braille Bridge and Read to India Express, Gauri continues to break down barriers and build an inclusive educational ecosystem, ensuring that no child is left behind.
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