We empower neurodiverse and underprivileged learners in underserved communities — bridging the educational resource gap through specialized curriculum, advocacy, and product drives.
Aasha Kiran — Hindi for ray of hope. That's the whole idea.
The Aasha Kiran Initiative is dedicated to empowering neurodiverse and underprivileged people in underserved global communities — bridging the educational resource gap through specialized curriculum, product drives, and fundraising. — Our mission
We're a young nonprofit doing focused, practical work — building learning tools that meet people where they are, and using our platform to push the conversations that get overlooked.
We design accessible educational modules built to work for neurodiverse learners — clear, structured, and free to the communities that need them.
We use Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok to educate people worldwide on the issues that rarely make the front page — and to turn that attention into action.
July is Disability Pride Month — and July 26 marks 36 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed. The ADA opened doors, but for neurodiverse learners in underserved communities, too many are still closed. This month, we're raising $3,000 to keep building what the ADA started.
We fundraise through Givebutter — net proceeds, after payment processing fees, support disability programs here in Connecticut.
Follow the stories behind each one on our Instagram.
Marking 36 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act — and the access that's still left to build.
See the campaign →Reframing how the world sees neurodiverse minds — the gold infinity symbol, in real stories.
View posts →Challenging the exclusion of people with mental disabilities from everyday spaces and opportunity.
View posts →Free learning modules on staying safe online and understanding your civic rights and duties.
About the curriculum →the year the ADA was signed. Thirty-six years later, cognitive and sensory access is still being built.
people are estimated to be neurodivergent — yet most learning resources are never designed with them in mind.
our #36for36 ask — one dollar per year of the ADA. Net proceeds, after payment processing fees, go straight to the people and programs we serve.
Sources: ADA signed July 26, 1990 (Pub. L. 101-336); published neurodiversity prevalence estimates.
Founded in 2025 and led by students, we've gone from an idea to real projects across three continents — guided by one belief: equity over equality.
Siya Rajesh founded The Aasha Kiran Initiative as a high-school student — completing legal registration and securing tax-exempt status while still in school.
We raised $1,500 through crowdfunding — on GoFundMe and Benevity — for the TSM Social Welfare Trust, which supports people with mental disabilities. This summer we visited in person and spoke with the staff, residents, and community about our mission.
We built a slide-deck curriculum on civic duty and pollution prevention, and are working with schools in India to adopt it as a recurring community lesson.
We welcomed our first volunteer directors and opened board positions for students aged 14–18 — a nonprofit built by young people, for the communities they care about.
Our Disability Pride Month campaign marks 36 years of the ADA — raising $3,000 for disability programs in Connecticut through the #36for36 challenge.
Over our first year we fundraised for the TSM Social Welfare Trust — a residential school in Tamil Nadu, India that supports people with mental disabilities. This summer, founder Siya Rajesh visited in person and gave a speech on our mission and values of compassion and community.
It was an eye-opening visit: seeing how the community lives day to day, how the school runs, and the new residential building being built for residents. We're grateful to everyone who gave through GoFundMe and Benevity, to the staff who welcomed us with a tour and hospitality, and to the residents — who have built a beautiful community of love and understanding.
A student-founded board volunteering their time to build a more equitable future.
A high-school student who founded Aasha Kiran on one conviction — equity over equality — and a belief in putting actions over words.
Lead our outreach and community impact efforts. If you care about equity and want to put action behind it, this role is for you.
Apply nowDrive our Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok presence. Turn awareness into action — and help more people find our work.
Apply nowWe're a youth-led board — open to students aged 14–18. Interested in a different role? Reach out.
Three ways to help — give, give your time, or grow with us. We're actively seeking organizations doing aligned work to partner with.
Fund Still Building Access and our free learning modules. Every $36 honors a year of the ADA.
Give nowHelp with curriculum, design, social media, or drives. Remote-friendly and student-friendly.
Email usWe want to connect with organizations to provide better care for more communities.
Start a conversation
The Aasha Kiran