Newsletter Highlights
Advocacy:
- VOSAP Signs MoU with Amma.org
- Moaz Hamid Joins VOSAP’s Board of Advisors
- VOSAP Partners with Live Times (24*7 TV News channel) and New India Abroad (digital media)
- VOSAP Ignite 2024-2025 to start from September. (55 students)
Key Upcoming Events:
- Aug 2 to 4: VOSAP at FOGA, USA in Dallas, US
- Aug 4: Worldwide screening of Dr Karen Darke’s Documentary
- August 15 : Enablement Event at Basti, UP
- August 30: Enablement Event at Rajkot, Gujarat
- September 21 : Annual Fundraising Gala, Los Angeles, CA
Dear VOSAP Friends and Supporters,
Wishing a very Happy Independence Day (Aug 15) of India. Celebrations will be in India as well events in the US too among diaspora. While, registrations under HITARTH, average 1,000 Specially Abled People are being enabled every month under variety of initiatives, here is the summary updates of other activities and please goto website (voiceofsap.org) for the details and we look forward to your valuable feedback.
1. VOSAP Signs MoU with Amma Labs and Amrita University: This collaboration aims to promote empowerment, develop innovative assistive devices, host a AT hackathon with Amrita University, and foster youth volunteering.
2. Moaz Hamid Joins VOSAP as Board Advisor: We are honored to welcome Moaz Hamid, a leader in AI, robotics, and inclusive technology. Moaz is mission driven technologist promoting accessibility, inclusion. Previously he was a general manager and partner with Google, Microsoft, HTC, Dangaard (Nordic Capital) and Palm.
3. VOSAP Partners with Live Times and New India Abroad: This partnership will enhance our disability advocacy efforts through 24/7 TV channel and reaching to Indian diaspora in United states through New India Abroad.
4. VOSAP Ignite 2024-2025 Starts in September: After three successful batches, 55 new students will join our High School Volunteering Program from September 2024. Over the past three years, 18 students have received the prestigious President’s (US) Volunteer Service Award (PVSA).
5. VOSAP Founder and Team connects with beneficiaries, virtually to understand the impact of Sahayatha Commode Wheelchair and Kibo XS device.
VOSAP Founder and team had amazing experience to meet, have firsthand conversation with beneficiaries and see the impact. Here are some of the very encouragin comments received from these benficiaries.
- Tara from Arunachal Pradesh: A 100% visually impaired first-year BA student in International Relations at St. Joseph University, Tara dreams of joining the Indian Foreign Services. With the Kibo XS device provided by VOSAP, he can scan and study books independently, overcoming the challenge of limited access to library resources.
- Manjula from Bangalore: A dedicated lecturer at Deepa Academy, Manjula is also preparing for KPSC/UPSC exams. The Kibo XS device has empowered her to independently scan and record study materials, eliminating her reliance on volunteers to read and enhancing her productivity.
- Sabarinathan from Coimbatore: After a spinal cord injury resulting from a bike accident, Sabarinathan faced challenges with bowel management and sanitation. Since receiving the Sahayatha Commode Wheelchair in March 2024, his quality of life has improved significantly. He now works from home as a Transportation Representative for Amazon, thanks to the newfound independence provided by the wheelchair.
Upcoming Events:
- August 2-4: VOSAP booth at FOGA (Federation of Guj Association), US
- August 4: Worldwide screening of “Wild Tracks” documentary, Dr Karen journey to SuMMIT, Africa
- August 15: Enablement Event in Basti, UP, celebrating Independence Day
- August 30: Enablement Event in Rajkot, Gujarat
- September 21: Annual Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles
