160+ Annie Centers and Counting: The Future of Braille Literacy is here

has now reached 160+ Annie Smart Class Centers across India—a first-of-its-kind achievement in the nation’s educational landscape.

#Sana Dhawan: In a country where millions of children with visual impairments face challenges accessing quality education, and with only 1% of the population having access to Braille literacy, Thinkerbell Labs has just hit a groundbreaking milestone. Ringing in the New Year with a bang, the company’s innovative Braille learning solution, Annie, has now reached 160+ Annie Smart Class Centers across India—a first-of-its-kind achievement in the nation’s educational landscape. Annie, the world’s first self-learning, remote-enabled Braille literacy device, is not only transforming the way blind children learn but also reshaping the conversation around accessible education. Thinkerbell Labs, a national award-winning startup, is delivering on its mission to make Braille literacy inclusive, engaging, and scalable. Lauded by the Prime Minister and the President of India, Annie has gained widespread recognition for its impact and innovation. This milestone comes alongside key partnerships and recent expansions. Thinkerbell Labs’ Braille learning solution has reached all 50 states in the US through its collaboration with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Thinkerbell Labs is making strides globally through partnerships with organizations like HumanWare, having launched in four geographies and planning to expand into two more, where accessible education solutions are gaining momentum. In India, Thinkerbell Labs’ outreach now extends across 23 states, supported by district administrations and PSUs like PGCIL, SECI, IOCL, etc. Private organizations including TATA, Uber, Everest, and others have joined our cause to promote accessible education. The expansion has been fueled by the pressing need for scalable, high-quality Braille literacy solutions—a need that Annie is addressing head-on. We have reached even the most remote corners of the country, including 15+ aspirational districts and mining-affected areas, making education more accessible to all. “We’re not just celebrating 160 Annie Centers; we’re celebrating 160 communities where visually impaired children now have access to modern, effective learning tools,” says Dilip Ramesh, CEO of Thinkerbell Labs. “As we continue to grow, we’re also scaling internationally, bringing Annie to new markets and new learners worldwide.” Annie selling out within 10 days in the US marked a watershed moment for inclusive education, proving that innovation in assistive technology can drive global change and transform lives.