Optician India

World NGO Day (February 27th) is an internationally recognized day that celebrates and honors the incredible work of over 10 million NGOs and nonprofit organizations worldwide.

Over the past decade, this international day has grown into a global phenomenon, acknowledging and celebrating the incredible work of millions of NGOs (nonprofit organizations) and the amazing 50 million individuals who drive them forward. This worldwide celebration spans across 145 countries on six continents.

On this day we had the opportunity to interview Mr. Prasannakumar Narayanan, Senior Director, Programmes Operation - Sightsavers India

OI) As we celebrate World NGO Day, can you share with us the impact that Sightsavers India has had on the lives of people with visual impairments and other disabilities in the country?

PKN: At Sightsavers India, we are dedicated to creating lasting change in the lives of people with visual impairments and disabilities.Under our Eye Health Programme, from January to December 2024, we facilitated 7,547,116 eye screenings: achieving 122% of our target. We also performed 2,960,952 refractions (124%) and dispensed 723,669 spectacles (106%).

Over the past five years, we have facilitated over one million cataract surgeries, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments receive the treatment they need. Additionally, through our RAAHI National Truckers Programme, we have conducted over one million eye screenings across India, supporting commercial drivers in maintaining good vision for safer roads. 

Inclusive education is another key focus area where we have worked towards ensuring that children with visual impairments receive the support they need to thrive in school. Over the past year, we have trained 6,886 teachers and sensitised 1,884 educational administrators. We have also distributed over 4,269 educational materials, provided assistive/ICT devices to 2,256 children and trained 2,775 children in the PLUS curriculum* and ICT skills.Recognising the role of families and communities, we have also supported 4,432 parents and social animators in understanding and assisting children with visual impairments.

Beyond education and healthcare, our Social Inclusion Programme focuses on empowering persons with disabilities by enhancing their access to livelihood opportunities and self-sufficiency. Inpast one year we have facilitated the formation of 2,030 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), provided vocational training to 2,105 individuals, and conducted rights and entitlement training for 70,973 people with disabilities. Additionally, we have established 12 Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) across various districts, bringing together 35,800 members to advocate for their rights and inclusion in society.

Overall, we have identified and supported persons with disabilities across India, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Our work continues to be driven by the belief that every individual, regardless of their disability, deserves an equal chance to lead an independent and fulfilling life.

*A PLUS Curriculum is a modified educational program tailored to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities. It includes skills such as Braille, orientation and mobility, daily living skills, sensory training, and the use of mathematical devices like the abacus. Additionally, it covers social skills to enhance interaction. The purpose is to equip students with compensatory skills for independent functioning and participation in learning. This curriculum is particularly beneficial for students with visual impairments or other special needs.

OI)Sightsavers India has been working tirelessly to promote inclusive education and healthcare. What are some of the challenges you've faced in this journey, and how have you overcome them?

PKN: Sightsavers India has faced challenges in promoting inclusive education and healthcare, but our commitment to innovation and collaboration has helped us navigate them effectively

Limited Awareness and Social Stigma – Many communities, particularly in rural areas, have limited knowledge about eye health and disability inclusion. We address this through awareness campaigns, community engagement programmes, and sensitisation workshops.

Accessibility and Infrastructure Gaps – Ensuring access to quality healthcare and inclusive education in remote areas is challenging. We’ve made an effort to tackle this by setting up vision centres, deploying mobile eye health vans, and integrating assistive technologies in schools.

Financial Constraints Among Beneficiaries – Many underprivileged individuals cannot afford treatment or assistive devices. Our model ensures free or subsidised services through cross-subsidisation and partnerships with corporates and government bodies.

Skill and Capacity Building – There is often a lack of trained professionals to support inclusive education and eye health. We invest in training teachers, healthcare workers, and community volunteers to create a sustainable impact.

Early Identification and Diagnosis Gaps – Many eye conditions go undiagnosed due to a lack of regular screenings. We address this through school screenings, community eye health camps, and integrating eye care services into primary healthcare systems.

Retention in Education for Children with visual impairment – Even when children with visual impairment are enrolled in school, dropout rates can be high due to a lack of accessible learning materials and support. We ensure inclusive education by providing Braille books, large print materials, assistive technology, and teacher training programmes.

Employment and Economic Inclusion – While education and healthcare are crucial, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for persons with disabilities is equally important. We collaborate with state government and companies, conduct job fairs, and provide vocational training to enhance employment opportunities.

Through a combination of strategic partnerships, technology-driven solutions, and grassroots efforts, we continue to overcome these challenges and create a more inclusive society.

OI) How does Sightsavers India collaborate with local governments, communities, and other stakeholders to ensure that its programs are sustainable and effective?

PKN: Sightsavers India works closely with government bodies, communities, and various stakeholders to drive lasting impact in eye health, education, and disability inclusion. One of our significant initiatives in Vision and Road Safety was the Policy Dialogue 2024, where we held a consultation at IIT Chennai, advocating for the VISION Zero approach—a strategy to integrate eye care into road safety. Our commitment to promoting safer roads is further strengthened through VARS-3, a collaborative effort with three other organisations dedicated to ensuring road safety for drivers and pedestrians.

We have also actively engaged withour stakeholders,the National Eye Health Alliance (VISION 2020) and have contributed significantly to knowledge-sharing. Sightsavers India has presented seven research and programme learning papers, reinforcing our role in shaping policies and best practices. At the national and state levels, we work within State Eye Health Networks across five states, supporting the implementation of blindness prevention mandates.

Our collaboration with Health Departments includes-

• Supporting the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) by strengthening vision screening, cataract surgeries, and treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
• Conducting school eye health programmes and community screenings to ensure early detection and treatment.
• Establishing vision centres within government health facilities and deploying mobile eye health vans to reach underserved areas.
• Training government healthcare workers in primary eye care.

We also work withNational Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to ensure the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and empower women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by-

• Integrating eye health awareness and disability inclusion into SHG-led community initiatives.
• Providing skills training and livelihood support to PwDs, linking them with employment opportunities and entrepreneurship programs.
• Encouraging financial independence by connecting trained PwDs to microfinance and self-employment schemes.

We work closely with SamagraShiksha, the Education Departmentto ensure inclusive education for children by-

• Providing Braille books, large-print materials, and assistive devices to children with visual impairments.
• Training government teachers on inclusive education methodologies and assistive technologies.
• Conducting school-based vision screenings and provide free spectacles (which is mostly due to our corporate partners under their CSR initiative) to children with refractive errors

Our collaboration extends to Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), where we focus on partnerships and advocacy at the local level. In Odisha, an OPD partner secured membership in the Zonal Railway User’s Consultative Committee, a significant step towards accessibility advocacy in public transport. Additionally, we conducted institution building and governance training for all four of our direct OPD partners, ensuring they are equipped to drive change in their communities.

In Accessible Elections 2024, OPD partners played a critical role in making the electoral process more inclusive. They influenced political manifestos, trained polling officers, mobilised disabled voters, and ensured accessibility in election-related content. They also advised on accessibility measures within the District Monitoring Committee on Accessible Elections, leading to commitments from political parties and the Election Commission of India towards disability-inclusive elections.

Sightsavers India has also been recognised as a collaborator for “Equity & Inclusion” under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As a partner for "Inclusion & Equity," we contributed to the National Guidelines on Equitable and Inclusive Education (NGIFEIE) under the SamagraShiksha Scheme, which aims to enhance school effectiveness and learning outcomes until 2025-26.

At the national level, we actively engage with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, advocating for disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), social protection frameworks, and localised disability indicators such as NIF-Disability Indicators and eREC.

Through these strategic collaborations, we ensure that our programmes are not only impactful but also sustainable, enabling long-term systemic change for people with visual impairments and disabilities across India.

OI) What message would you like to convey to our audience on World NGO Day, and how can individuals and organisations support the work of NGOs like Sightsavers India?

PKN: On this World NGO Day, we at Sightsavers India extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters and partners who have been instrumental in our mission to prevent avoidable blindness and promote disability inclusion. Your commitment and support have enabled us to reach millions, transforming lives and making the world inclusive day by day.

How You Can Support Our Mission-

• Donate: Your financial contributions are vital. Donations help fund eye health programmes, surgeries and treatments, reaching those in need across India. Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant impact.
• Volunteer: Offering your time and skills can create meaningful change. Volunteering not only benefits those we serve but also enriches your own life, creating a sense of community and purpose.
• Spread the Word: Advocate for our cause by sharing our mission and stories within your networks. Follow us on social media, share our posts and help raise awareness about the importance of eye health and disability inclusion.
• Corporate Partnerships: Organisations can collaborate with us through corporate social responsibility initiatives, employee engagement programmes and philanthropic contributions. Such partnerships amplify our reach and impact, driving sustainable change.

By engaging in these ways, you become an integral part of a movement dedicated to ensuring that no one is needlessly blind and that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to thrive. Together, we can illuminate lives and build a more inclusive society.

OI) Looking ahead, what are Sightsavers India's plans and goals for the future, and how do you envision the organisation continuing to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities in India?

PKN: Sightsavers India remains committed to expanding our interventions in strategic and underserved areas across the country, guided by a well-crafted, long-term strategy. This approach focuses on reaching rural and low-income communities to address critical eye care needs, including eye screenings for truck drivers and driving communities to enhance road safety.

Our efforts also prioritisechildren aged 5 to 18 years (up to Class 12) attending government schools under SamagraShikshaAbhiyan (SSA), particularly in rural districts. We strive to make education accessible and inclusive for all, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed.

We are dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) by organising communities, facilitating employment opportunities, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Beyond these initiatives, Sightsavers India will continue working towards improving learning outcomes for blind and low-vision students, equipping them with the resources and support they need to thrive.