Dr. Joseph E. Varghese, who became visually challenged at the age of 6, was educated in India, Canada and the USA. He earned two Masters Degrees in History and in Counseling and Guidance. He got his doctorate (Ed.D) in Special Education and Administration and Counseling from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. In 1989 he returned to India and founded AAII. He was passionate about helping the disadvantaged lead more productive lives and devoted the remainder of his life to this cause.