Vikas Kumar, a 30-year-old from a small village in Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, lives with complete blindness. He comes from a financially constrained family where his father works as a daily wage labourer and his mother manages the household. His three brothers are married and live separately. Limited resources and lack of awareness kept opportunities out of reach for many years.

Vikas was not blind from birth. At the age of 14, a severe fever led to gradual vision loss. Medical consultations later confirmed that his optic nerves had shrunk and his eyesight could not be restored. Having studied only up to Class 9, Vikas spent nearly ten years at home, uncertain about his future and disconnected from education.

In 2022, Vikas connected with Eyeway through Humari Vani. During his interaction with the helpline, he shared his concerns and fears about life ahead. The guidance he received helped him understand that returning to education was still possible. He was supported in obtaining essential documents such as his UDID card and disability certificate and was guided in accessing government pension benefits.

Encouraged to restart his studies, Vikas enrolled in Class 10 through the open board. Support was provided to help him with admission, study materials in accessible formats, a smartphone, and a writer. With these resources, he successfully completed Class 10 in 2023.

After completing Class 10, Vikas expressed a strong desire to continue his education. He received further assistance with admission procedures and examination-related requirements, which enabled him to take admission in Class 12 through the National Institute of Open Schooling in November 2024.

To support his studies, Vikas now uses accessible learning resources such as talking libraries and digital tools. He is also preparing to improve his communication skills and explore vocational training opportunities. His long-term goal is to secure a government job and achieve financial independence.

Team Eyeway