Date:16/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/16/stories/2008081650440200.htm
Kerala - Kochi Job training for the mentally challenged Staff Reporter KOCHI: The Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) is set to launch a project for imparting computer training to the mentally challenged. The project is being conceived as the second phase of Insight, a programme designed by the KSITM to provide technology solutions to visually challenged, differently abled and mentally challenged persons. Currently, the KSITM, along with the Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment, is developing the course content in consultation with domain experts, doctors and open source code community, Ajay Kumar, Secretary, State Information Technology Department, told The Hindu. An amount of Rs 50 lakh has been set apart for the project. The project would be launched on a pilot basis at the Insight Nodal Centre in Thiruvananthapuram in the 2008-09 period, he said. Depending on its success, it would be rolled out in all the districts through Akshaya centres. Pilot phase Mr. Kumar said that though proprietary materials were available for the mentally challenged persons to learn computer skills, they were very expensive. "Since the majority of the mentally challenged persons were also poor it was not affordable for them. Hence, the decision to opt for open source code," he said. During the pilot phase at the nodal centre, which doubles up as the research and development wing and support centre for district-level activities, a pool of master trainers would be created. These master trainers then would fan out to the districts to train the Akshaya entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the computer education for the visually challenged, adopted under the first phase of Insight, is all set to be rolled out across the State following the successful completion of the pilot phase at the nodal centre. Mr. Kumar said that the project would be beneficial to about three lakh visually challenged people in the State. The pool of 16 master trainers created during the pilot phase would be pressed into service to launch the project through Akshaya centres. Swaram, an audio magazine being brought out by KSITM would also be used. Mr. Kumar said that some of the visually challenged persons who had received training were able to secure placement in IT majors. He cited the example of a visually challenged trainee being selected by IBM in Chennai. Join Access India convention: For updates on it visit: http://accessindia.org.in/harish/convention.htm Registration is now open! To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
