- Illinois program empowers visually impaired individuals with life-saving skills, setting a model for global inclusion
In a landmark move for disability inclusion and public health, the National India Hub (NIH) in Schaumburg, Illinois, launched a specialized Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training Program for the visually impaired on September 15, 2025. This innovative initiative addresses a critical gap in emergency preparedness, as accessible CPR instruction for individuals with disabilities remains rare in most countries. By pioneering this program, NIH not only leads the way in Illinois but offers a replicable model for empowering visually impaired community members with the skills needed to “Save Lives” during cardiac emergencies.
The driving force behind this initiative is Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, a renowned Indo-US Resuscitation Expert whose career spans clinical medicine, academic leadership, and advocacy for community health. Dr. Murthy is the Founder of the NIH Community Health and CPR Training Center, established in 2024, and the visionary behind Project SMILE (Saving More Illinois Lives through Education) of the Chicago Medical Society. His academic affiliations include Adjunct Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine (Global Health) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, further underscoring his commitment to advancing cardiac arrest interventions.
Designed with the unique needs of visually impaired learners in mind, the CPR training program incorporated the latest international guidelines and advanced manikin technology. Participants engaged in hands-on practice using tactile materials and auditory cues, ensuring that everyone could follow along and master the proper techniques regardless of their visual ability. A central feature of the session was the “Training Buddy System,” which paired each visually impaired attendee with a sighted buddy for ongoing support, guidance, and safety throughout the training.
Adding a global dimension to the event, the celebrated Samarthanam Trust India’s music ensemble attended the session. The Samarthanam Sisters—Ms. Anusha and Ms. Vasundhara—and their orchestra, all visually impaired, are well-known for their performances across India. Their participation highlighted the universal need for inclusive health education and their enthusiasm to bring similar life-saving training initiatives to visually impaired communities back home.
The intensive, ninety-minute session blended innovative instruction with rigorous practice. Under the guidance of Dr. Murthy and NIH CPR Center instructors Ms. Smita Shah and Ms. Saloni Shah, participants learned “Hands-only” CPR and how to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Tactile models enabled them to feel the correct hand placement and compression depth, while audio instructions and real-time feedback from advanced manikin technology reinforced proper technique. Personalized coaching through the buddy system ensured that each participant built confidence and proficiency.
Dr. Murthy evaluated the trainees using a structured feedback mechanism and was impressed by the high quality of CPR provided by the visually impaired participants. Their performance, he noted, was on par with that of sighted individuals, challenging misconceptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities and demonstrating the effectiveness of adapted, inclusive training strategies.
At the session’s conclusion, participants were awarded official Bystander CPR certificates from the NIH Training Center. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Harish Kolasani, Founder of the National India Hub, who joined Dr. Murthy in expressing heartfelt appreciation to the Samarthanam Sisters, their team, and Ms. Shruti Shree Tyagi, Overseas Relations lead for Samarthanam Trust, for their active involvement and support.
In a post-event interview, Dr. Murthy emphasized that organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross advocate for customized CPR programs for people with disabilities, and he cited the “Blind Muse Foundation” as a leader in tactile and audio-based CPR instruction. He explained that accessible materials, including Braille and large-print resources, along with adaptive buddy systems and audible AED prompts, are essential for effective, inclusive training.
Dr. Murthy called for patience, adaptability, and empathy in teaching life-saving skills to people with disabilities. He envisions a future powered by affordable, AI-driven devices that will further enhance accessible CPR education for the visually impaired. The NIH’s program sets a precedent for inclusive emergency preparedness, demonstrating how thoughtful adaptation and community collaboration can break down barriers. As more organizations embrace these practices, bystander CPR training for people with disabilities may soon become the global standard, saving lives and advancing health equity for all.