Televeda
Following Mac’s absence from the weekly online painting session, his classmates became anxious for his well-being. They found out that the senior had been hospitalized due to an accident. When he returned weeks later, he was greeted warmly by those in his growing community.
“He felt acknowledged, like there were individuals excitedly awaiting his return,” shares Shruti Gurudanti, co-founder of the online socialization platform Televeda, regarding Mac (whose actual name is protected for privacy).
Gurudanti’s vision for the platform stemmed from the desire to create a supportive environment for seniors experiencing loneliness through shared activities such as yoga, art, and bingo. This mission resonates personally; as a child, she observed her grandparents become increasingly isolated as they coped with her grandfather’s Alzheimer’s.
Connection as a lifeline
In 2018, Gurudanti collaborated with her husband, Mayank Mishra, a software engineer, to build the platform’s technology, expanding on the familial connections that inspired Televeda’s foundation.
This technological innovation marked an important milestone in bringing seniors together—though accessibility remained an issue for those lacking digital skills. In 2019, to counteract this challenge, Televeda initiated a door-to-door service, offering seniors affordable devices and Wi-Fi access alongside guidance on how to use them.
“If you’re fortunate, aging is inevitable—my goal was to address the loneliness impacting this generation,” Gurudanti reflects.
In an effort to address the widespread loneliness challenge, Televeda has also expanded its services to benefit Indigenous communities and veterans from minority backgrounds.
In these groups, the organization provides peer support initiatives and digital connection resources, assisting individuals in finding social and mental health support. This effort has enabled veterans to connect with vital resources online, serving as a critical lifeline.
“With veterans, our focus is still on reducing isolation and loneliness, but we particularly emphasize suicide prevention,” Gurudanti states. “Research shows that veterans linked with the Veteran’s Association experience lower suicide rates and improved health.”
Although Gurudanti’s initiative began with supporting seniors, the challenge of pervasive loneliness propels the organization’s growth. “Our motivation is driven by the understanding that countless individuals are still in need of our assistance.”
Benetech
At 13, Chloe Deutsch experienced a disruption in her ability to read due to Lyme disease, causing severe discomfort whenever she focused on text. While a cure was not readily available, she later discovered Bookshare, an assistive reading platform developed by the nonprofit tech group Benetech, which reignited her passion for reading.
“For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt empowered again, free to learn and explore through literature,” Deutsch recalls her experience with Bookshare, an e-library tailored for those with accessibility challenges. “I sought independence in reading and didn’t want to depend on my parents or teachers to read to me.”
Bookshare features over 1.3 million titles, all designed to work with text-to-speech tools and refreshable Braille devices. This extensive resource supports Benetech’s commitment to facilitating inclusive and equitable education.
“Our goal is to dismantle barriers that obstruct access to reading materials, ensuring that everyone—regardless of age or ability—can engage with content,” explains Benetech CEO Ayan Kishore. “This access is vital for personal well-being, fulfillment, and career prospects.”
“Consider a student striving to learn while their peers receive the necessary materials swiftly, yet they must wait weeks for their core readings—this could drastically hinder their ability to keep pace and succeed,” Kishore notes.
To speed up this process, Benetech has collaborated with more than 1,000 publishers to produce inherently accessible books.
Tackling Intersectionality and Inequities
The lack of accessible materials remains a pressing challenge, particularly for individuals grappling with the intersection of disability, race, and economic hardship. This absence can lead to inequitable consequences like the school-to-prison pipeline; a study from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that 66% of incarcerated individuals reported a disability compared to 26% of the overall U.S. population.
“This indicates we have failed to support these individuals earlier in their educational journeys,” Kishore emphasizes.
To combat this issue, Benetech extends Bookshare at no cost to students with disabilities through financial assistance from donors, organizations, corporations, and the Department of Education.
Paying it Forward
In her current role in higher education, Deutsch champions the cause for students with disabilities, similar to the support Benetech offered her. “Thank you for fostering innovation that empowers young individuals to succeed in environments that have traditionally excluded them,” she expresses in a letter to Benetech’s supporters.
This article originally appeared in the March-April 2025 edition of The Windows Club magazine (U.S. edition).
