Software for the visually challenged (http://www.ciol.com/content/news/repts/102081410.asp)
Under the 'India IT Freedom project for the blind', US-based Freedom Scientific has introduced three software packages that would help the visually challenged to work with computers. Starting with AP, the project is likely to cover more than 300 visually challenged children and will help in accelerating their learning processes using computers. HYDERABAD: In of its kind development, Freedom Scientific, a US based solutions and products company has unveiled three software packages aimed to ease life for the visually impaired. The packages include software that converts a normal personal computer into a talking computer, a magic magnification software that enlarges text on the screen to enable people with low vision to read and an open book reading software that enables a system to read the text aloud, all assisted by Braille enabled devices. The company is launching all these software under the 'India IT Freedom project for the blind'. Mumbai based Karishma Enterprise is going to provide curriculum for the project and Hyderabad based Denver foundation for the blind will go ahead to provide teachers and training facilities for the project. "Recognizing the importance of generating high quality IT professionals, we are committing ourselves to this project in AP. To start with the project will be implemented in 10 schools within AP for the first time in the country and after that it will be extended to other schools for the visually impaired.," said, Ram Agarwal of Karishma Enterprise. The project is likely to cover more than 300 children and will for the first time help in acceleration their learning process and acquiring knowledge to the children. "Moreover this kind of software will go a long way in educating the visually challenged and will also help them to opt for higher education in addition to getting better jobs as they will be better qualified," Agarwal added. The students to be trained under the project are from class VIII, IX and X. "Freedom Scientific's mission is to change the world for people with sensory impairments and learning disabilities by creating innovative, technology based products and solutions. Though, we are starting this program in AP, we would like to extend this lending hand to other blind schools in other parts of the country. Ideally we want to extend the same program to all the 20 blind schools before moving to other states within India," said Charles Mullins, Vice President, International Sales for Freedom Scientific. Mullins was here on a visit to the city as part of his all India visit. The same project has already been introduced in Hungary as well as the Czech republic. The total cost of the project will be around Rs 26 lakh and that has been sponsored by Freedom Scientific, while the commissionerate for disabilities will provide the basic infrastructure. Steps are simultaneously being taken to achieve significant improvements in the quality of IT education in the state. With these measures, the state is well positioned to fuel the growth of IT industry with the abundant availability of highly skilled IT professionals. Moreover, steps like this will increase the morale of the visually impaired and help them in getting jobs. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
