General

MTN gives scholarship to 96 blind students in science and technology

THE MTN Foundation has awarded a scholarship to 96 blind students and 1068 students to study science and technology in 2018 academic session.

Mr Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of scholarship award to some of the beneficiaries.
Okoro said that a total of 1164 students had so far been awarded the scholarship comprising 96 blind students and 1068 other students.

He said the award of the scholarship was part of MTN social corporate responsibility in giving back to the society.

May I ask, ‘Are you blind?’

Several decades ago, I was walking briskly on the narrow road to my school on a Monday morning when something funny caught my attention. A 3-year-old boy was practising some dancing steps in front of his mum. I stopped momentarily to watch the scenario. Just then, an old man bumped into me. “Are you blind?” he asked. I was speechless. “Me! Blind? I wasn’t even moving at the time! “Sorry sir,” I apologised even though I felt it should have been the other way round. Many years later, I was able to provide an answer to his question.

3 Ambala students devise e-stick for visually impaired

3 Ambala students devise e-stick for visually impaired
Aakash Kushwaha, a student, displays an e-stick developed for visually impaired persons. Tribune photo

Ambala, September 7

Three students from Ambala have devised a walking stick for people with vision impairment.

The stick has ultrasound capability packed with artificial intelligence (AI) to allow users to get ‘AI’ vision guidance on the road.

Making the outdoors inclusive

The outdoors are exhilarating, inspiring, and even therapeutic, but unfortunately, not easily accessible to everyone. Challenging the status quo is a mission that Mumbai-based Anusha Subramanian has embarked upon. A journalist, she is a passionate mountaineer. As part of a 13-member team, she intends taking on the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Tanzania, world’s highest free standing mountain, in what is being touted as India’s first inclusive expedition.

Impairment fails to deter vision Visually impaired Maya Rani honoured for propagating honesty, self-belief

Ludhiana, September 5

The resounding ovation of visually impared students sent a message across the frontiers that a mentor needs a will to spearhead despite impairment.

The roaring applause left everyone awestruck as their teacher Maya Rani (51) visually impaired teacher was honoured at the Vocational Rehabilitation and Training Centre (VRTC) on Teacher’s Day.

CBSE proposes disability-specific exemptions to differently-abled children

The Central Board of School Education (CBSE) has proposed to provide specific exemptions to differently-abled students in the board examinations in accordance with their needs and also said it was committed to shifting to the online mode of examination for such children. In a report submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the CBSE has said that the draft policy will be presented in the upcoming winter session before its Curriculum Committee and after clearance it will submitted to the Governing Body for final approval.

Buses at Busworld India exhibition not disabled-friendly

BENGALURU: Not a single bus showcased at the eighth edition of the ongoing Busworld India at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), on Tumakuru Road, were disable-friendly, activists rued on Thursday.

A conference was organised by Interads Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, Busworld International, in association with Association of State Road Transport Undertakings and Bus Operators Confederation of India at BIEC campus. There was a talk on ‘accessible public transportation for persons with disabilities’.

Colleges to provide easy access to disabled soon, govt tells HC

MUMBAI: The state government on Thursday told the Bombay high court that all educational institutions in Maharashtra have been directed to conduct an audit of their buildings to check whether they have barrierfree access for differentlyabled individuals; if not, changes must be made within ayear to enable such access.

Delhi High Court directs admission of differently abled to MBBS

After the Supreme Court allowed medical aspirants suffering from low vision to get admission, the Delhi High Court has cleared the cases of admission of candidates with hearing impairments, specific learning disabilities and blood disorder-related disabilities into MBBS this year. All of these were cancelled earlier on the basis of Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines and faulty medical boards.

Panel suggests including Indian Sign Language as a subject in schools

A panel has suggested including Indian Sign Language as a subject, offering Braille as a language option and providing various difficulty levels of core subjects for students with special needs as part of curriculum and examination reforms.

These are among key recommendations made by a group of representatives from various examination boards, advocates, parents, disabled students, experts in the field who carried out extensive brainstorming in Delhi.