Based in the city of Kowdiar (in Kerala, India), the Jyothirgamaya Foundation was established in 2015, as a civil society organisation fully led by blind people for blind people. Their motto is Empowering the blind in all spheres of life and they work to include blind people into mainstream society all across India.

Based on their strong track-record and full commitment to keep working for the (self)empowerment of blind communities all across India, the Jyothirgamaya Foundation was selected as one of the winners of the NOW-Us! Awards 2019.

As one of the 2019 Now-Us! Award winners, Jyothirgamaya is implementing the project titled Empowerment Training for the Blind. It equips blind individuals and communities (young women and girls in Kerala, in particular) with the tools and knowledge they need not only to become more self-confident and increase their self-esteem but also to find suitable employment as a way to become financially independent.

Through this project, Jyothirgamaya Foundation raises awareness of the general public on the ways in which people with visual impairments are undervalued in society with the objective of providing them equal opportunities to live like any other citizen. The training provided in this project includes knowledge and access to assistive technologies, orientation and mobility, personality development skills, communication skills, adaptive physical education and yoga and how to travel independently. All these contribute to blind people getting the holistic meaning of independence and how to confidently lead a successful life as a blind person.

Specialists from different disciplines, such as special educators, health workers, and volunteers are working with Jyothirmagaya to support the project. In this way, they are also learning -directly from the blind people- how they can further support people with disabilities in terms of education, providing accessible and enabling environments, and how the entire society can contribute to an inclusive world.