In tune with life
A musical child prodigy, Dr. Dinkar Sharma believes there is no substitute for hard work and sincerity.
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Helpful bankers
In each issue of 'beyond the I', this column presents a first-hand account of a visually impaired person's experiences in the 'real' world. In this issue, Pranay Gadodia recounts a positive encounter at a bank.
ICEVI organises 12th World Conference
The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (I.C.E.V.I.) is organising its 12th world conference from July 16 to 21, 2006, at Putra World Trade Centre, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The main theme of the conference is 'Achieving equality in education: New challenges and strategies for change'.
At the opening ceremony the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister will officially launch the Education for All Children with Visual Impairment Campaign and Action Programme.
12th World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment
Location: Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
July 16, 2006 to July 21, 2006
Organised by the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (I.C.E.V.I.)
South Africa prepares itself for blind voters prior to local government elections
By Zukile Majova, www.int.iol.co.za
In South Africa, thousands of Independent Electoral Commission (I.E.C.) staff underwent training on the rights of visually impaired voters before the local government elections. Elections in South Africa were held in March 2006.
United Nations takes a big step towards accessibility
United Nations
For the first time, the United Nations will be able to print material directly in Braille. The credit goes to a donation of a state-of-the-art printer by the non-profit organisation, Services for the Visually Impaired, (S.V.I.), U.S.A., along with the World Blind Union (W.B.U.).
Harold Snider, Executive Director, S.V.I., said the high-speed, heavy-duty embosser would provide the U.N. with Braille production capacity in all six of the organisation’s official languages.
Thai computer technology centre develops Braille notebook
By Pongpen Sutharoj, The Nation, Bangkok, Thailand
The National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec), with the aid of a research team at Prince of Songkla University of Thailand has developed a Braille notebook, which could make life much easier for visually impaired people in Thailand. The notebook consists of a portable computer on which visually impaired users can key in information in Braille. The information can then be printed either in Braille or in text format.
Eye-chip could restore vision
In what can be considered as a break-through, Sandia National Laboratories (U.S.A.) has released a prototype eye-chip that may eventually help to restore sight to blind people.
European Parliament makes air travel easier for disabled people
Reuters
Disabled passengers have won new rights of access to airline travel in the European Union (E.U.). The European Parliament has adopted measures to ensure E.U. airports help disabled travellers.
U.P. Disabilities Commissioner gives decision in favour of blind person
Times News Network, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
It seemed to be a never-ending struggle for 50-year old visually impaired U.N. Singha, until he got justice from the Commissioner Disabilities, Uttar Pradesh (C.D.U.P.), for inclusion of his initial temporary services period for counting towards his seniority. He works at Lucknow University.
At the Screen Awards, it’s Black that’s beautiful
By Harneet Singh, www.indianexpress.com
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s saga of a deaf, mute and blind girl, Black, swept the coveted Final Four at The Hero Honda 12th Annual Star Screen Awards. Besides winning the Best Film award, Bhansali also went home with the Best Director trophy. Rani Mukerji was declared Best Actor (Female) and Amitabh Bachchan was Best Actor (Male). Both these leading stars of the film gave the credit of their success to the director.
Relief Riders to offer free eye surgery camps in Rajasthan villages
www.travelvideo.tv/news, Rajasthan, India
Relief Riders International (R.R.I.) is a group of workers that go to remote villages, on horseback, to implement their mission to provide free medical aid.
CSIR scientists develop microchip to detect eye infections
I.A.N.S.
Scientists have developed a microchip based on diagnostic methods for early intervention for infectious eye diseases and glaucoma, especially in newborns. Announced at the 93rd Indian Science Congress, this is part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (C.S.I.R.) led New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative.
A sound mind in a healthy body
Everybody likes to look good -- a flat stomach and a trim, no-flab athletic body are something many people aspire for. Our eating, work and sleeping habits, however, do not help in becoming the lean and mean fighting machines of our dreams. So some people diet, some jog, some go to treatment centres. The last, too, put you on a strict diet. Everything requires sustained effort. The minute you lift your guard, all the good work is undone.
Banking on her will
It was hard for NAFISA BUHARIWALA to come to terms with her vision impairment, but her parents were an unending source of inspiration
The baby of the family, Nafisa Buhariwala received a lot of affection and love from her parents and siblings. Her parents realised something was wrong with her sight when she was four months old. They took her to Mumbai, and met with all the good ophthalmologists in the city. The doctors pronounced their verdict: she was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and nothing much could be done for the baby.
My first experience in Delhi Metro train
In each issue of beyond the I, this column presents a first hand account of a visually-impaired person's experiences in the 'real' world. In Delhi, Pranay Gadodia travelled on the Delhi Metro to see how friendly it is for visually-disabled persons
In my childhood, I had once asked my father when India would become 'foreign'. I remembered this boyhood question recently when I travelled by the Metro in Delhi.
Translating obligations into action
Progress on the drafting of the Disability Convention by the U.N. Ad Hoc Committee
Parenting with vision
Though apprehension may be the first reaction to discovering that your child cannot see, positive parenting ensures that your child grows up with self-confidence and enjoys a good life. The family is a microcosm of the nation, and a well adjusted, confident visually impaired child at home will, in all likelihood, do well as an adult also, find out Naintara Jain and Anjali Sen Gupta
21st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference
Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A.
March 20, 2006 to March 25, 2006
Organised by Center on Disabilities, California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
'Talking bus stops’ go live in Scotland
www.sdef.org.uk; Scottish Disability Equality Forum
January 18, 2006
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