In the light of World Autism Acceptance Week, George Abraham talks to Moneisha Gandhi and Gopika Kapoor, two mothers from Mumbai who created the BuddyUp Network app to help people with disabilities find friends and build connections.

The guests share their personal journeys as parents of children with disabilities (Down syndrome and autism) and how their children's friendship inspired them to develop a secure, accessible app that now connects 4,000+ users across India. Interestingly, most of the users of this app belong to the visually impaired community.

This conversation highlights how innovative solutions can address the social isolation often experienced by those with autism and other disabilities.

Learn about:

• The challenges of social isolation faced by people with disabilities

• How the BuddyUp Network app works and its security features

• The impact of meaningful friendships on their children's lives

• Why the app has become particularly popular among visually impaired users

• Success stories of users forming community groups

• Upcoming features including a dating/matchmaking option for users seeking life partners

This free app is available in both English and Hindi on iOS and Android, with special accessibility features including dark mode for users with low vision. The platform welcomes people of all disabilities and ages.

This podcast is brought to you by the Score Foundation. To support work with the blind and visually impaired, visit: www.scorefoundation.org.in

Eyeway National Toll-Free Helpline: If you or someone you know with vision impairment needs guidance, contact1-800-5320-469.