About NGO:

Beyond Sight Foundation is a non-profit organization advocating the importance of art in the lives of people with visually impairment, building capacity to promote the "Non-Retinal" Art culture in India and enriching public through renewed art and sensitization workshops. We believe that disability is a diverse human condition, people with visual impairment are "differently abled" and art by them is an invaluable form of self-expression, proving that they have an interesting way to perceive and lead life. Through our innovative programs we celebrate the spirit of creative expressions of visually impaired people to show that art by them is a reminder of diversity, a source of healing and development, an instrument of change, and a social equalizer.

Fund Usage:

Blind With Camera is core program of the Beyond Sight Foundation, it was started in Mumbai in 2006. Blind With Camera program is the first of its kind in India.

Fund raised through SCMM will be used for funding the below activities planned for 2012. The total projected budget for 2012-13 is Rs. 18.20 lakhs

• Provide training of photography as vocational subject at special schools / institute for the visually impaired across India.
• Conduct "Train the Trainer" workshop to create a pool of sighted photographer who would provide training in photography to the visually impaired.
• Development, print & distribution of study material on photography in normal text, large prints, Braille format with touch & feel raised images.
• Organize national level Photography competition for the visually impaired.
• Tour of visually impaired to art galleries, museums & heritage buildings.
• Exhibition of photographs at the photography classes, workshops and competition. Exhibition are "inclusive" and provide a combination of touch & feel raised pictures, Braille notes, large text prints, visual aids and audio description (AD) for the visually impaired visitors to access and enjoy the pictures.

Impact:

Blind With Camera was started in Mumbai in early 2006 by Partho Bhowmick with just one visually impaired participant. Today Blind With Camera project has spread to other cities across India, over 100 visually impaired are trained in photography, their work has been exhibited across India and abroad, reaching out to over 30,000 sighted viewers. About 30 visually impaired are regularly taking pictures and taken it as their hobby. Sale of photographs and blindfold photo workshop provide income opportunity for the trained visually impaired photographers. About one lakh rupees is distributed among the visually impaired for their welfare and education. The impact on the visually impaired is tremendous building a feeling of belonging and pride in their achievements and elevating self-esteem, develops personality and increase confidence to take challenges.

Page Url :
http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/ngo132_beyond_sight.htm

Founded Year: 2009

Cause category: Disability

Our Supporters

• partho bhowmick