Newsletter Highlights
Advocacy:
- Submitted written and Oral statements to UN 2023 ECOSOC High-level Segment
- Karen Darke, joins VOSAP mission as volunteer, leads 2 events – Hiking to Kilimanjaro andKenya Safari ride
- VOSAP Charity show, ANOKHEE movie, love story of a Girl with disabilities
- VOSAP Ignite (high school volunteering) events in the US
Enablement:
- Assistive Devices Mass Distribution Events in Hyderabad, Halvad, Gujarat
- Direct delivery of KIBO, Smart Cane, CiCare, other devices across India
- Eye Surgeries at Kalyanam Karoti, Mathura, Porecha Eye Hospital in Bareja
- Selection of 6 Hearing Impaired students in California, USA for Scholarship to go to College
Dear Friends,
We are glad to share the impact in Advocacy, Enablement and Assistive Technology initiatives that VOSAP has made in March, April and May 2023, as well as the expansion of our Subsidy Program by adding new Assistive Technology products for enablement.
1. VOSAP submitted Oral and Written statements for UN 2023 ECOSOC High-Level Segment
VOSAP has submitted a written and oral statements for the 2023 ECOSOC High-level Segment, focusing on COVID-19 recovery and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The HLS is a three-day ministerial meeting of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development, happening from July 17 to 20, 2023.
During the pandemic, around 15% of people with disabilities experienced exclusion, but it also provided new sustained opportunities for inclusion through remote education and employment.
VOSAP has taken various initiatives to accelerate the implementation of UN SDGs (No Poverty (SDG 1), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4),Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduce inequalities (SDG 10)
To learn more about the Statement, please visit our website at www.voiceofsap.org/2023-ecosoc-high-level-segment/.
To learn about the Initiatives Undertaken by VOSAP to achieve UN SDGs, Please Visit https://www.voiceofsap.org/vosap-initiatives-for-unsdgs/
2. Karen Darke MBE, Paralympic Cyclist & Paratriathlete, joins VOSAP as Ambassador
Karen Darke is an inspiring individual, an athlete, adventurer and para-triathlon. As a British cyclist, she has achieved great success, earning two medals at the Paralympics – a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympics and a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in Women’s Road Time Trials. In 2017, Karen was honored with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth.
This year, Karen is leading expedition to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro and bike through Kenya Safari, to support VOSAP. We encourage VOSAP adventurers to join her on this journey to learn, experience and get inspired.
Let us know if you want to join her in August 2023 to either of 2 expeditions.
3. VOSAP Charity Show of ‘Anokhee – A Unique Story’
VOSAP hosted Charity Show of movie ‘Anokhee – A Unique Story’ at Ahmedabad on May 13,2023. It is a love story of a Specially Abled Girl, aliged to VOSAP mission of promoting inclusion. VOSAP has lined up several charity screening across the US cities.
Various distinguished guests, Donors,supporters, partner organizations , Volunteers and Specially Abled People participated in this show and all enjoyed the power pack movie, full of emotions, fun and supported the inclusion spirit this movie holds.
The event was also joined by Lead Actor Arjav Trivedi, Producers and Director, Shri Vishal Bhatt, Shri Miral Shah and Shri Rakeshbhai.
VOSAP celebrates the spirit of inclusion the movie is portraying. Anokhee is a Unique love story of a girl in the wheelchair, a roller coaster ride of fun, laughter, emotions and a thought Provoking message. VOSAP believes that the power of cinema to touch hearts, change perceptions, can help build a more inclusive society and community and hence is a supporter of this movie.
VOSAP is going to host similar charity shows in month of June and July at various cities in the USA.
4. Eye Surgeries with Kalyanam Karoti, Mathura
In the month of April, VOSAP expanded its ‘Gift of Vision’ – Enablement with Surgical Intervention Program to include rural areas of Uttar Pradesh by partnering with NGO Kalyanam Karoti, Mathura.
1,000 Cataract Surgeries will be performed at Kalyanam Karoti’s Eye Hospital Shriji Baba Netra Chikitsalaya in Mathura. More than 500 beneficiaries from Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Hathras, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Bharatpur, Etawah, Aligarh, etc received the GOFT OF VISION, benefits of free surgeries and associated care.
5. VOSAP expanded to 2 new States with Enablement and Subsidy Program
VOSAP has changed the lives of 16,000+ Specially Abled People so far with its enablement initiatives. VOSAP Program expanded to 2 more states including West Bengal and Kerala. Currently VOSAP is present in 13 States of India and US.
To scale the adoption of Assistive Devices and ensure that SAPs get access to and benefits of the innovative technology at affordable price levels, VOSAP has launched multiple Subsidy Schemes with their AT partners and exhibitor. We encourage you to take initiative your community to help SAP.
Enablement with KIBO XS DEVICE
VOSAP enabled 11 Visually Impaired People with Kibo XS Device by Trestle Labs.
KIBO XS device can be used to scan hardcopy, printed and handwritten documents to listen, translate, digitize and audio’tize content by Visually Impaired people.
To learn more about the scheme and how VOSAP Kibo XS Device Subsidy is helping Visually Impaired SAPs, read: www.voiceofsap.org/vosap-changing-lives-with-kibo-xs-device-subsidy-scheme/
6. Enablement Event at Halvad, Gujarat
On May 29, an inspiring collaboration between the Voice of Specially Abled People, District of Morbi, and Blind People’s Association India (Aashirvaad Viklang Trust ) Ahmedabad brought transformation to the lives of 134 specially abled individuals in Halvad, Gujarat.
Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Women and Child Development, Dr. Mahendra Munjpara, Shri Prakash Varmora (MLA Halvad), Shri G T Pandya (Collector Morbi), and esteemed dignitaries graced the event.
Voice of SAP Founder Shri Pranav Desai and volunteers from India and the USA joined in-person as well virtually, talked to beneficiaries, exemplifying their commitment to the cause.
Through this remarkable initiative, the 134 beneficiaries are provided with Assistive Devices such as Smart phone, smart canes, patented elbow crutches, Sewing Machines, Wheelchairs, Tricycles, Calipers, TLM Kits, and more.
This empowering gesture ensures their improved mobility, independence, and the ability to learn, earn and pursue their aspirations with renewed vigor, bringing dignity.
7. VOSAP Ignite Updates : Volunteering by High School Students in US
VOSAP started a new batch of Ignite Winter 2023 in January. Amazing highschool students of both the batches (Ignite 2022 and Ignite Winter 2023) are working under the extensive volunteering program to sensitize people for Inclusion of SAPs by undertaking variety of activities:
Ignite Winter Batch volunteered at VOSAP Booth during Holi Event in LA and inspired the participants to take a pledge, join the mission and donate for the Cause.
VOSAP Ignite Art from Heart Competition:
Under VOSAP Art From Heart initiative, Ignite Students hosted a contest on the theme of ‘DISABILITY’ in Texas and Los Angeles for students of Grade 1- 12 to inculcate inclusive understanding, develop compassion among children towards disability.
VOSAP Ignite students will also be organizing several events in coming months such as 3 round Debate content, Essay Competition, Skit, research etc. on theme of DISABILITY.
It is exciting to see such motivation and energy in these children to do something for the community, and work towards achieving the VOSAP Mission with so much dedication. Kudos to amazing parents who are able to inspire their children for VOSAP mission and also devote their time and energy to promote VOSAP cause in local communities.
We believe these updates will inspire you to take ACTION. Join us as a volunteer, innovator, advocate for rights and/or donor to expand our collective impact, globally.
