This video shows Hunny Bhagchandani’s presentation at the USH India Zoom Meeting on the 1st of December 2024.
BRIEF:
Usher syndrome is a genetic disorder that primarily begins with hearing loss, followed later by progressive vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). The age at which RP symptoms appear can vary depending on the type of Usher syndrome, and the degree of vision impairment also differs from person to person. Over time, individuals with Usher syndrome often rely on a white cane and assistive technologies to maintain their independence.
In this session, Mr. Hunny Bhagchandani, the founder of Torchit (mytorchit.com/), provided insights into the affordable and innovative products Torchit offers to support individuals with Usher syndrome and the broader deafblind community. Topics included:
* Hunny's background and journey to founding Torchit
* How Torchit started and the company's mission
* Saarthi Smart Cane
* Jyoti AI Reader
* Jyoti AI Smart Glasses
* Product demos
* EnableMart online marketplace for products for PwDs (enablemart.in)
* Additional Torchit products designed to improve quality of life for the deafblind
* How can the Usher syndrome and Deafblind communities help in the development of new products
SOME KEY MESSAGES:
* Torchit offers affordable products at a fraction of the price of comparable products. For example, the Jyoti AI Pro (smart glasses + reader + ring) sells for INR 29,900 compared to Smart Vision Glasses (INR 35,000 for glasses only), Envision AI (INR 2,04,896 for glasses only), and OrCam My Eye 2 (INR 3,39,000 for glasses only).
* Torchit has incorporated braille functionality in some of their products. It has acquired the BrailleMe Refreshable Braille Device, to further enhance the braille functionality of its offerings.
* Torchit has established EnableMart, an online marketplace where customers can browse and buy products for the deafblind, hearing impaired, visually impaired, and other disabilities. They also sell some products via Amazon and other online retailers.
* Torchit has started to set up EnableMart Experience Centres Cum Sensitisation Centres across India, where customers can physically try products for PwDs, buy them, get usage training, etc. These centres are designed to be accessible to PwDs, and to be run by PwDs as micro entrepreneurs. Centres have been established/proposed for Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore. Contact Torchit if you want an Experience Centre established in your area.
* Torchit has sold its products globally (eg. Asia, Africa, USA) through direct sales as well as partnerships with local organizations.
* Torchit says that If there are assistive devices available in other countries which you want to get in India, but are very expensive, contact Torchit. If there is demand, they can try to manufacture the products and sell them at an affordable cost.
* Suggestions for new products or how to enhance existing products for use by the deafblind are most welcome.
* Torchit websites: mytorchit.com, enablemart.in
[Disclaimer: While we share information on assistive technology that may be beneficial, the Usher Syndrome Coalition does not endorse nor promote any specific product.]
For our deaf low-vision viewers, this video shows ISL and ASL interpreters, and has English captions. For braille device users, the full transcript is available in
ushindia.blogspot.com/p/20241201-ush-india-meeting-transcript.html
For more information about Usher Syndrome and the Usher Syndrome Coalition:
Visit www.usher-syndrome.org
www.youtube.com/@UsherCoalition
To connect with the Usher Syndrome India (USH India) Community:
Email: info.india@usher-syndrome.org
USH India Blog: ushindia.blogspot.com
UA-cam Page: www.youtube.com/@ushersyndromeindia2020
Facebook Page: groups/ushersyndromeindia