25-year-old Vinay P Nair is a person with vision impairment living in Kasaragod district of Kerala. He was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was in school, after facing difficulty in reading the blackboard. But he managed to study with gradual sight loss, and completed his Bachelors in Commerce.

 
Like thousands of blind people, Vinay believed that it was impossible for him to pursue higher education or attain professional competency. He was unaware of trainings and assistive aids that could open up opportunities of employment for him.
 
In order to sustain himself and be independent, he followed his interest in music and earned a living from playing drums with a traditional band in temples. But places of religious worship shut down during the pandemic, leaving Vinay unemployed and idle. While attending an online session on his smartphone, he learned about the Eyeway Helpdesk.
 
He called the helpline, seeking support in securing a safe job. Our counselor informed about various steps for rehabilitation before gaining financial independence. As opposed to his reliance on sighted musicians who took him back and forth from the temples, Vinay was advised to start using a white cane. More importantly, he required computer literacy to move ahead in life.
 
So, he was referred to a few organizations that teach blind people to use computers with screen reading software. The counselor also advised him to prepare for a central government job in railways, banking etc. instead of applying through Kerala Public Service Commission, which takes much longer to materialize.
 
In the absence of a computer at home, initially Vinay was guided to start watching banking prep videos on his phone. He is currently taking computer lessons from an old Eyeway beneficiary, Amitha who is a professional trainer. Elated by his progress, the family bought a laptop for Vinay, which has enabled him to read, research and write on his own.
 
With this timely intervention, Vinay is working towards steering his life in a new direction.
 
 
Team Eyeway