Source: http://m.timesofindia.com/home/specials/assembly-elections-2014/maharashtra- news/EVMs-with-embossed-Braille-script-in-Thane/articleshow/44819630.cms
EVMs with embossed Braille script in Thane Oct 15, 2014, 05.35AM IST TNN[ Manoj Badgeri ] MUMBAI: All the new EVMs in Thane will this time have information embossed on them in Braille, making the process easier for the visually impaired voters. Activists have welcomed the move but asked for audio assistance as well. "All the EVMs used in Thane district for this election have the information embossed on them. This is for the first time we are using them," said Madhavi Sardeshmukh, deputy collector of Thane. The new EVMs from Electronics Corporation of India Ltd serve dual purpose, catering to the general public as well as those with visual impairment. These machines have numbers 1-15 on the ballot unit embossed in Braille. When a visually challenged voter arrived, he would be given information on the numbers and the corresponding names against them on an EVM after which s/he could proceed to cast his vote, explained an official. In places where the number of candidates is more than 15, officials will put stickers after masking the existing embossed numbers. Visually impaired voters and their escorts will be told about the change. The earlier units used stickers in Braille and were prone to damage. But voters said they could benefit if audio assistance was given. "The process could be much faster and easier had they been provide with audio assistance. A headphone could be given to them for privacy," said Mahesh Dodke, office bearer of an association for the visually challenged. Regards, Shiv Clean India Campaign: Let us also chip in! Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ 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 Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
