Google.org donates $800,000 to 3 Indian NGOs

BENGALURU: In an effort to help create more access and opportunity for people living with disabilities, Google.org has announced that it will support three Indian non-profit organizations through more than US$800,000 (INR 54 million) in grant funding. The recipients include the Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust, Leprosy Mission Trust India and Public Health Foundation India.

The grants are the result of the global Google Impact Challenge for disabilities, an initiative to invest $20 million in non-profits that are using emerging technologies to increase independence for disabled people. NGOs from around the world were invited to submit ideas that would make a real, positive impact for people living with disabilities.

The grant to Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust will help them provide improved access to a well-fitting artificial leg through the use of 3D scanning and printing technologies. The Leprosy Mission Trust India will establish a facility to create high-quality, customized, protective footwear for people with leprosy using 3D technologies. The Public Health Foundation India will develop a mobile app for village healthcare workers to rapidly and reliably assess eligibility for government disability benefits.

The announcement was made by Kiran Kaja, Technical Program Manager, Google London at TechShare India in New Delhi, a leading conference on accessibility and inclusion. Google is the silver sponsor for the event.

“Innovative technologies are already helping to improve everyday life for people living with disabilities. Through these grants, we want to empower organizations to build impactful solutions that will create better access for people living with disabilities in India,” said Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director, Google India and Southeast Asia.

Globally, Google.org has donated over US$100 million in grants and US$1 billion in technology resources in 2015 alone.