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New Message on BDOTNET
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From: spprivate
Message 1 in Discussion
Hi all. here are the details and course of action for TTS appln development for the
disabled.I am embedding the mail sent to me by the Director of the NGO,Ms
Shanthi.Please go thru and do the need ful. ********************************** Dear
Volunteers, Thanks again for your interest in the projects which will make PCs more
accessible to the blind. (Please read Appendix A below for more details on
accessibility for blind)
I apologize for the delay in communication. Most of the folks were not available last
weekend due to the India Pak match! (FYI - The response was overwhelming and this
email is addressed only to the VB, VC++, VC, .net programmers. There are other Java
programmers who have volunteered but the projects do not require their skill set)
Our next course of action is as follows:
1. You need to read up material in the next week or so on Text to speech synthesis
(TTS) and SAPI(speech synthesis only). Information is available in the Microsoft site.
2. Screen reader demo: You will need to know how a screen reader works. Those who do
not know can come to my org in Koramangala and see a live demo (How about 12:30 pm on
Saturday MARCH 20? Those who come on Saturday MARCH 20 for the demo can travel with us
to the IISc campus for our appointment at 2 pm. See pt 4.)
3. You will need to understand how an OCR works (VC++ programmers only) 4. TTS and OCR
projects
a. We will meet IISc prof (Prof. Ramakrishnan) on Saturday MARCH 20 at 2 pm. We can
learn more about the TTS and OCR for local languages project and the next set of tasks
to be accomplished. We will also understand the suitability of the volunteers and
assign tasks accordingly. Please let me know your availability for Saturday MARCH 20
via email or call me at 98453 13919. Those who cannot make it will be updated via
email. (See Appendix C for directions).
b. Some volunteers will be chosen for the SAFA project (read pt 5.)
c. Begin work... 5. SAFA (screen access for all) project - (VB, VC, little .net
skills)
SAFA is being developed at NAB Delhi and is the affordable answer to expensive foreign
screen readers.
a. Volunteers chosen for SAFA will have an initial web chat/chat with Delhi project
team next week or weekend. Please see Appendix B for the names of folks.
b. They will join the safa developers mailing list
c. Begin work - first task will be to develop the TTS API. This will enable SAFA to
work with TTS for any local language through a generic API. (we need to determine
whether to use sapi or any simple C api. For the long run - SAPI standard is better).
One parallel task is .net porting which should be possible for VB developers with a
small learning curve. Appendix A: Accessibility for Blind
Computers are now accessible to the blind due to the following:
1. Screen readers in a nutshell allow the blind to "read" the PC. They use keyboard
commands instead of the mouse. The screen reader will read out what is typed or will
read out based on the event or hotkey. Current screen readers are foreign brands
starting at Rs 45,000 and above.
2. OCR - With the help of a scanner and an optical character recognizer (OCR), printed
matter can be made available to the blind in an accessible format.
3. Other devices such as Screen Magnification for low vision, refreshable braille
devices and more are also available. Appendix B: Let me introduce you to the other
folks who are part of these projects:
1. Prof Ramakrishnan - IISc (Indian Institute of Science) professor, EE dept.
Responsible for the TTS for local languages and OCR for local languages projects.
2. Dipendra Manocha - From NAB Delhi. The engine behind SAFA project! Source of
information on anything on access technology for blind.
3. Dinesh Kaushal - Full time senior developer for SAFA project.
4. Harish Kotian - part of SAFA team. Another source of information on anything on
access technology for blind.
5. Dr. Diwakar - IISc professor, product design and manufacturing. Appendix C:
Directions to IISc
Come to Mekhri Circle. Instead of going over the flyover, please stay on the left hand
side road parallel to the flyover. Take the first left and proceed straight. After you
pass the National institute of power, you will come across a signal. Beyond the
signal, there will be a gate on the RIGHT (part of IISc campus) which is much before
the main entrance which comes on the LEFT. PLease take the right into the campus and
take the first right after the security gate. The last building on this road on the
left side parallel to the IISc campus wall is EE DEPT (else ask for the indian coffee
house/board). We can meet at EE dept entrance at 2 pm or by the security gate at 1:50
pm. Prof Ramakrishnan's contact info in case you get lost: 56710191 / 22932556 or
myself at 98453 13919 / 98450 13474
Prof: Hope the directions are correct?! Regards Shanti
Ms. Shanti Raghavan Founder, Managing Trustee EnAble India Phone: (080) 2552
9657 Cell: 98453 13919 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Addr: #694 6A Cross, Koramangala 3rd
Blk, Bangalore 34
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