The podcast episode of Eyeway Conversations features Dr. Rakesh Jain from Lucknow, who has made notable contributions to the blind and visually impaired community. Dr. Jain, an academician, professor, and founding member of the DAISY Forum of India, also established RSVI (Rehabilitation Society of the Visually Impaired) in Lucknow. His journey into teaching stemmed from limited employment opportunities for the visually impaired during his time. He became a respected figure in academia and held various administrative roles, including managing admissions, autonomous status coordination, and the design of multiple vocational programs. Dr. Jain's desire to establish RSVI was rooted in addressing the challenges he faced during his own education, particularly the lack of accessible study materials. RSVI focuses on providing educational support, including audio and digital formats, computer training, and preparation for government jobs. The organization also engages in other activities like showing audio-described movies, football training for the blind, and quilling jewelry workshops for people with multiple disabilities. The podcast also explores Dr. Jain's contributions to the Daisy Forum of India, a platform that produces accessible books in the DAISY (Digital Audio Information System) format, which allows users to navigate through text in ways that MP3 files do not. Dr. Jain emphasizes the need for quality audio materials and believes that despite technological advancements, the increasing dependency on smartphones can be detrimental to critical thinking and creativity. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Career in Academia: Dr. Jain talks about his academic journey, securing multiple prestigious scholarships such as UGC JRF, SRF, and a Research Associate position. He describes his role as a professor at National PG College, Lucknow, and his numerous responsibilities, including coordinating the college’s autonomous status and research and development activities. RSVI (Rehabilitation Society for the Visually Impaired): Dr. Jain is the founder of RSVI Lucknow, an organization that focuses on providing study materials, accessible education formats, computer training, and other skill-building initiatives to visually impaired individuals. He elaborates on RSVI’s goals of enhancing education and employment opportunities for the visually impaired in Uttar Pradesh. DAISY Forum of India: Dr. Jain sheds light on DAISY, a global standard for digital books. He explains the unique features of DAISY, such as navigation across chapters and sections, and how it has transformed access to educational materials for the blind community in India. Challenges in Employment: Dr. Jain discusses the limited job prospects for visually impaired individuals in India, especially in states like UP, where the private sector is not as inclusive as metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bangalore. He stresses the importance of government jobs and the banking sector as viable career paths for the blind. Digital India and Technology: In the context of the Digital India initiative, Dr. Jain emphasizes how technology, particularly smartphones and computer literacy, has enabled visually impaired individuals to become self-reliant and more integrated into mainstream society. Extracurricular Activities: RSVI also organizes extracurricular programs such as sports, particularly football training for the visually impaired, and creative activities like jewelry-making from quilling. These programs aim to foster confidence and creativity among participants. Role of Smartphones in Learning: Dr. Jain shares his concerns about the overuse of smartphones and its negative impact on students’ creativity and critical thinking. He calls for a balanced approach to technology use in education. Tune in to this insightful episode to learn more about Dr. Jain’s impactful work in education, advocacy, and rehabilitation for the visually impaired community in Ind