Televeda
When Mac missed his regular virtual painting class, the other participants were concerned. They took the initiative to check on him, only to discover he had been hospitalized due to an accident. Upon his return to the class weeks later, he was warmly welcomed back into his newfound support network.
“He felt recognized; like there were individuals eagerly awaiting his return,” remarks Shruti Gurudanti, co-founder of the online social hub Televëda, regarding Mac (whose real name is kept confidential as per privacy protocols).
Creating a sense of belonging for seniors motivated Gurudanti to launch the platform, which connects older adults grappling with isolation through creative outlets such as yoga, art, and bingo. This mission resonated deeply with her personal experiences as she observed her grandparents battling isolation during her grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s.
Connection as a Lifeline
In 2018, Gurudanti partnered with her husband, Mayank Mishra, a software engineer, to create the technology behind Televëda—an evolution of the familial inspiration that sparked its establishment.
The development of this software was a significant step toward uniting seniors, but initially, it was limited to those who possessed digital access and skills. To address this barrier, Televëda began offering door-to-door services in 2019, providing seniors with affordable devices and Wi-Fi, along with necessary training.
“It’s a privilege to age, and I aimed to create support for those who will eventually face loneliness,” Gurudanti explains.
To tackle the widespread issue of loneliness, Televëda has broadened its focus to include Indigenous communities and minority veterans, offering peer support groups and digital connectivity programs to connect them with vital social and mental health services. This effort has been vital in assisting veterans in finding relevant resources—a much-needed support system.
“For veterans, our focus is on reducing social isolation and loneliness, particularly with suicide prevention in mind,” Gurudanti emphasizes. “We understand that connection to the Veteran’s Association significantly lowers suicide risk and enhances health.”
While founded to assist seniors, the overarching challenge of loneliness remains the primary motivation for the organization. “We are driven by the knowledge that countless others could benefit from our services.”
Benetech
At 13, Chloe Deutsch found herself unable to read, suffering from severe vertigo and nausea whenever she attempted to focus on text—symptoms linked to her unexpected bout with Lyme disease. Although there was no immediate solution for her condition, she later discovered Bookshare, an assisted-reading platform developed by the nonprofit organization Benetech, which allowed her to reclaim her love for reading.
“For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt empowered to learn and explore through books,” says Deutsch reflecting on her experience with Bookshare, an e-book library tailored for individuals with accessibility challenges. “I longed for the independence of reading without relying on others.”
Bookshare’s expansive library features more than 1.3 million titles, all designed for compatibility with text-to-speech technology or braille devices, reinforcing Benetech’s commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.
“If we remove obstacles to content access, we enable anyone—irrespective of their differences—to enjoy reading,” asserts Benetech CEO Ayan Kishore. “This access is vital for personal development, fulfillment, and professional prospects.”
“Consider a student striving to learn while their classmates receive timely access to educational material, whereas they face delays in core readings,” Kishore explains. “Such delays can severely hinder their academic progress and success.”
To expedite access, Benetech has formed partnerships with over 1,000 publishers to produce accessible literature from the outset.
Tackling Intersectionality and Inequities
The lack of accessible resources continues to be a significant problem for individuals experiencing the combined challenges of disability, race, and poverty. This deficiency can lead to serious inequalities, such as the school-to-prison pipeline; a study by the University of Pennsylvania revealed that 66% of incarcerated individuals reported having a disability compared to 26% of the general US populace.
“This indicates a failure to support these individuals during their formative years,” explains Kishore.
To tackle this issue, Benetech provides Bookshare at no cost to students with disabilities, supported by funding from individuals, organizations, corporations, and the Department of Education.
Paying It Forward
Currently working in higher education, Deutsch now advocates for students with disabilities, echoing the support she received from Benetech. “I am grateful for the drive toward innovation that allows young individuals to excel in spaces that have traditionally been inaccessible,” she expresses in her letter to Benetech’s supporters.
This article originally appeared in the March-April 2025 edition of up7op magazine (US edition).
