📢 Website Post: BLT Annual Review 2024-2025: Strategic Resilience and Foundational Wins?

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📢 Website Post: BLT Annual Review 2024-2025: Strategic Resilience and Foundational Wins

A Year of Strategic Resilience: Blind Lead Trust Annual Report is Here!

The Fiscal Year 2024–2025 was a defining chapter for the Blind Lead Trust (BLT). Despite facing significant financial challenges, we did not pause our mission. Instead, we shifted our focus, investing time and energy into building a stronger, more sustainable foundation for future growth and impact.

We are thrilled to share the highlights of this foundational year, which set the stage for major project execution in 2025–2026.

💪 Core Achievements: Laying the Groundwork for Independence

This year was marked by strategic victories in advocacy, partnerships, and organizational capacity.

1. Technological Inclusion: A Landmark Advocacy Win

Our persistent advocacy achieved a massive breakthrough for the PWD community in Northeast India:

  • Centre Secured: We successfully lobbied for and secured the establishment of a dedicated Centre for Computer Training for Persons with Disabilities within the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Shillong compound.
  • The Impact: This partnership creates a vital, free resource for digital literacy and skill development, ensuring visually impaired individuals gain equitable access to high-demand technical skills.

2. Sustainable Livelihood: Launching Our Social Enterprise

We believe true independence comes from economic stability. We advanced our livelihood program into a self-sustaining model:

  • Soap Manufacturing Unit: The initiative transitioned into an active Social Enterprise, designed to create revenue for BLT and stable jobs for PWDs.
  • Funding Secured: We successfully acquired project funding from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) of East Jaintia Hills to commence operations and inclusive staff training.

3. Strengthening Our Foundation and Leadership

To ensure our future impact is scalable, we focused intensely on capacity building:

  • RBF Incubation Program: BLT was selected for the prestigious Roots and Branches Foundation (RBF) Incubation Program, validating our strategy and securing high-level mentorship.
  • New Strategic Board Member: We welcomed the founder of the Colks Company as a new Board Member. As the only sighted member, his commitment, time, and business acumen are a powerful addition to our governance.
  • Talent Investment: We sponsored our Secretary (a blind woman) for an advanced six-month computer course in Bangalore, ensuring we have the in-house expertise to lead future training centers.

🗣️ Voice and Advocacy: Fighting for PWD Rights

We remained the strong, clear voice for our community:

  • Financial Inclusion: We held a public press conference to challenge the systemic barrier created by the SBI Malki Branch’s refusal to accept thumb impressions as signatures for the visually impaired.
  • Policy Focus: We continued to advocate for the full and equitable implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 concerning education and healthcare.

📈 What’s Next? Our Focus for 2025–2026

The groundwork is complete. This year, we move into execution! Our priorities include:

  1. Launch the Computer Training Program: We will enroll and train the first cohort of visually impaired individuals at the NIT Shillong Centre.
  2. Scale the Social Enterprise: We will secure the Khliehriat site and scale up the soap manufacturing unit, creating more inclusive jobs.
  3. Future Fundraising: We will leverage the RBF Incubation support to secure long-term project funding.

Read the Full Report!

For a detailed look at our activities, financial resilience (including the critical support from RBF and DMF), and the full impact of our partnerships, download the complete Blind Lead Trust Annual Report for FY 2024–2025.

How You Can Help Us Take the Next Leap

We are ready to scale our impact, but we need your support to do it.

  • Invest in Opportunity: Donate today to help fund the first organization at the BLT Shillong Centre.
  • [Link to Donation Page]
  • Partner with Us: Does your company have a CSR program focused on skills or inclusion? We invite you to explore a strategic partnership.
  • Spread the Word: Share this post to amplify the rights and abilities of the PWD community!