About US
Inclusion • Mind • Body • Soul
Zendalona is built on the belief that technology should unite people, not divide them. Our work is guided by the principles of inclusion, balance, and harmony, ensuring that digital experiences are accessible, meaningful, and empowering for everyone.
Our Logo & What It Represents
The Zendalona logo is a green circular emblem divided into three abstract regions, symbolizing three communities living within one inclusive world.
The lower-left section, formed as a solid, leaf-like green shape, represents Zendalona itself. Positioned intentionally at the base, it signifies support, foundation, and inclusivity, reflecting our role in enabling and uplifting communities.
The upper-left and right sections are created using flowing, curved concentric lines resembling sound waves. These regions represent the visually impaired community and the mainstream community. The wave-like design highlights communication, accessibility, and continuous interaction.
All three sections are enclosed within a single circle, symbolizing one shared world. There are no sharp boundaries—only smooth transitions—emphasizing harmony, accessibility, and equal coexistence, rather than separation. Through Zendalona, these communities are connected and empowered to grow together.
Patrons
Bogusław ‘Bob’ MAREK, Ph.D. OBE
Retired Professor from The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, specializing in tactile graphics research, design, and training. Founder of Hungry Fingers Educational Resources, dedicated to learners with visual impairments.
Harishkumar P. Kotian
India’s first blind computer programmer, retired from the Reserve Bank of India as an assistant general manager with a remarkable service record of four decades. They are also a disability rights activist and serve as the moderator of the ‘Access India’ mailing list.
K. Sathyaseelan
Lecturer, Training Center for Teachers of Visually Handicapped, Kerala, India. Retd headmaster, Govt school for the visually impaired, Kerala. Free Software activist, well known for his work in the Free Software movement and empowering the visually impaired community in Kerala. Former vice president of Kerala Federation of the Blind (KFB).
V. K. Sreekandan
Is an Indian politician from Kerala and now a Member of Parliament (MP) India. He is a friend of visually challenged and has contributed rupees 40 lakh($48780) for a computer lab at Helen keller model memorial school for the blind in Palakkad, Kerala.
Organization Members
Dr. Salini Sathyaseelan
President
Dr.Salini Sathyaseelan was awarded Ph.D in 2023 by the Central University of Kerala on the topic ” Disability Studies and Literary Disability Studies” in English and Comparative Literature.
Nalin Sathyan
Secretary
Free software activist, developing software for the visually impaired community.Founder of Zendalona and three-time consecutive Google Summer Of Code (GSoC) winner.
Anwar Nassar
Treasurer
Founder of the Free Space Movement, he is a conceptual architect and a pioneering force in the world of minimalism, simplicity, mysticism, and meditation. His visionary approach to design integrates spirituality, creating spaces that inspire inner peace and harmony
Baburajan K
Vice President
Baburajan K is a visually impaired high school teacher who supports the free-software movement. He is well-known for his work in empowering the visually impaired community in Kerala.
Sivadasan KK
Joint Secretary
Retired Accounts Officer from the Regional Directorate of Technical Education, Kozhikode, Kerala, India.
Aswathi Raj
Member
Special Educator at Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) in Kannur, empowering children with disabilities by raising awareness among children and parents.
Sarath A
Member
Pursuing B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) in Computer Science
Zendalona Through the Years
2024: Zendalona is selected as a mentoring organization for Google Summer of Code (GSoC).
2023: The team mentors university students to create and launch five new assistive software tools.
2022: Zendalona registers as a non-profit and welcomes world-renowned expert Prof. Bob Marek as a patron.
2021: The official website, www.zendalona.com, is launched.
2020: The organization is officially named “Zendalona.”
2017: A new cornerstone project is launched: the Advanced-Braille-Keyboard (ABK).
2015: The IBus-Braille project is accepted into the official Debian repository, a major validation.
2014: The first version of the Accessible-Coconut operating system is released.
2012: The Sharada-Braille-Writer software is launched for Braille users.
2011: The first version of the Linux-intelligent-OCR-solution (Lios) is released.
2009: The first major software, Easy-OCR, is created for accessible text conversion.
2007: Sathyaseelan officially switches to the open-source Ubuntu OS and its Orca screen reader.
2000: The high cost of screen readers inspires a commitment to free, open-source solutions.
1996: Sathyaseelan builds a custom 4-track cassette player, showing early ingenuity.
1970: Founder K. Sathyaseelan loses his sight at age 10, sparking his lifelong mission.