Breaking Barriers for the Visually Impaired

A NOTE FROM GLOBALGIVING:

This is the second in a series of snapshots about project leader Ann Moideen and her organization the Ann Foundation.

Thank you for your continued support of Ann and her tireless dedication to training visually impaired children in computer education, Braille and English language. We ask you to contribute again today! Feel free to tell your friends about Ann and her incredible work!

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“The dignity of all human beings should be respected”

Ann Moideen begins her day at 6 a.m. by checking emails over a big cup of coffee. “Making connections and meeting with people plays a huge part of my everyday routine,” says Ann, founder of the Ann Foundation. The Ann Foundation works in India to help train visually impaired children in computer education, Braille and English language skills.

“The work that I do is extremely gratifying to me,” Ann continues. “At the end of the day I know I am helping the physically challenged; in some way I am touching people's lives. A physically challenged person is just like any other person however, they are not awarded the same opportunities in life and so they may never realize their full potential. I feel that young boys and girls have great aspirations and an abundance of energy, but they often lack the support and resources to channel that energy into meaningful work this is where the Ann Foundation plays a huge role.”

The Ann Foundation also provides job-training services for adults, and one of Ann’s most memorable moments was working with a visually impaired English professor who, because of his disability, knew very little about computers. When the Ann Foundation started conducting computer workshops he was reluctant to participate as he was afraid to learn. Begrudgingly, he eventually attended and was inspired by one of the volunteer’s presentations. Afterward he committed himself to developing his computer skills, and within 3 or 4 months wrote a thesis for his exams using a word processing package on his computer!

“The dignity of all human beings should be respected,” says Ann. “Often people with disabilities are deprived of basic Human Rights. These beliefs motivate me daily in the work that I do.”