What’s New
Lucknow University to build a library for its visually impaired students
The Lucknow University is in the process of building a library for its visually impaired students. Named Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Library, it will be an exclusive library for the visually impaired with a capacity to seat 50 visually impaired persons. Proctor of the university, V.D Mishra said, ‘‘We provide special facilities to them at the Tagore Library also. It is equipped with a conversation machine and braille transcript.”
Assistive devices being distributed to persons with low-vision
The Vision Aid Charitable Services Society has procured low vision devices like spectacle magnifiers in four sizes, stand magnifiers and illuminated hand held magnifiers, from the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped.
These devices will be given free of cost to people affected with low vision, whose monthly income is less than Rupees 5,000. Those in need of these devices can visit the organisation at Maharanipeta, Vishakapatnam or call + 98482 27337 for details.
Visually-impaired runners complete 32-mile cross-country in Ireland
“Challenge 32 pushed me farther than any of my adventures before this for sheer physical exertion and mental stamina. I had nothing left at the end,” said Caroline Casey.
Caroline Casey and Tony Ward, two visually impaired runners, recently completed an incredible 32-mile challenge across 32 counties in Ireland. They hailed the spirit of Irish adventure and the abilities of disabled people as their inspiration.
Wireless audio descriptions in sports stadiums targeted at blind spectators
When a sporting event is on, many visually impaired fans are forced to rely on radio commentary and this can be frustrating. “The trouble with radio commentary is the regular interruptions while reports come in from other matches, other sports, or even traffic updates,” said Eleanor Ellison of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, (R.N.I.B), UK.
VoiceSignal to release embedded speech synthesis for mobile phones
VoiceSignal, the leading provider of speech solutions for mobile devices, demonstrated the speech synthesis research project in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA.
Called VSpeak (T.M.) the new technology approach for embedded speech synthesis for mobile phones will hit the market of mobile phones later this year.
80 percent of blindness in India is curable, says W.H.O.
According to a World Health Organisation study 70 to 80 per cent of all blindness cases in India are curable, said, Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Suresh Pachouri.
The minister also released a book 'Disaster Management through Panchayati Raj', written by Director General of Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology, Kamal Taori.
Braille boards, bulletins, timetables and menu-cards in Bhopal
Blind visitors at Van Vihar National Park are discovering the wildlife treasures through Braille scripted information put up at various points at the park. In a first of it kind endeavour, volunteers of Arushi, an N.G.O. in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, created about two dozen aluminium Braille sheets that give information about the animals of the park.
Dell accessible computers for visually impaired U.S. veterans
In a contract signed between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) and Electronic Vision Access Solutions (E.V.A.S.), blind and visually impaired veterans throughout the United States will receive specially equipped Dell computers. E.V.A.S. is a small business, specialising in computer access for people with disabilities.
IBM applies technology for disabled at aging baby boomers
With a program specifically addressing the needs of disabled people and several existing technologies - for overcoming speech, hearing, visual, tactile and cognitive impediments - IBM is positioned to offer baby boomers, tools they need to stay productive and connected as they age.
The latest in the series of assistive technology are the Home Page Reader, WebAdapt2Me, ViaScribe, and CaptionMeNow. These serve aging workers as well as people with disabilities.
Blindness isn't slowing down Enrique Oliu: Spanish radio sports broadcaster
Tampa Bay Spanish radio broadcaster, Enrique Oliu has been a witness to almost every great play Devil Rays have turned at Tropicana Field, ever since he joined the broadcast crew in 1999. Oliu, a native of Nicaragua, has been blind since birth. He fell in love with baseball as a child and followed games via his small transistor radio.
Punjab athletes threaten to return medals due to state apathy
Visually impaired athletes Gurpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Vivek Monga and Balwinder Singh kept their promises and won medals for their country. But Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amrinder Singh is yet to honour promises that he made to them.
Before leaving for the athletics meet at Manchester (UK) in June, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amrinder Singh assured the four that all their expenses would be refunded by the state government. However, months later the athletes have still not received any money.
Device guides blind students around Utah University campus
Students at Utah State University have created the “Way Finder", which combines four location technologies into one unit. A wireless network, Pedometer, Global Positioning System and Digital Compass together form a device that can help a visually impaired student find their way anywhere on campus. These four technologies have their limitations individually but with sensor fusion they work as a unit.
Gene Therapy to cure Retinoschisis
Researchers at the University of Florida's Genetics Institute successfully used gene therapy in mice to treat Retinoschisis, a rare incurable genetic eye disease that affects boys.
Retinal cells secrete a protein called Retinoschisin (RS1), which acts like a glue to bind the layers of the retina. Boys with Retinoschisis lack the ability to secrete RS1. The absence of this protein causes the retinal layers to separate and leads to the formation of tiny cysts. The boys lose their sight gradually, often with devastating results.
Visually impaired student to run in first Brunei marathon
The Pt Brunei Marathon will be held on December 11, 2005. Among the many marathon enthusiasts taking part, is Noralizulrainee Ali Yusop, a visually impaired university student in Brunei.
Both Noralizulrainee and Henry Lu will be taking part in the 21 Kilometres category. Being visually impaired does not stop Noralizulrainee from undergoing training three to four times a week.
Blind chess player to compete at the World Individual Championships
“I am equal to any sighted person on a chess board,” said blind chess player Chris Ross. He will take part in the World Individual Championships next year in Mumbai, India after retaining his title as British Champion. Ross competed in his first World Championship for visually impaired players in Turkey in 2002, where he displayed incredible performance, finishing 17th, which was well above his seeded position and just behind the overall winner. “I would say chess is the only game where I can sit down with a sighted person and play on a level playing field.
Talking billing machine speaks aloud the bill amount
Visually impaired persons will no longer have to depend on their family or friends to read out the bill at a telephone booth. A machine manufactured by Tata Indicom reads aloud the bill amount. After the customer makes the call, the talking phone billing machine, ‘speaks’ the bill amount to its customer.
Blind voters gain new option in Vermont
Richard Erickson, a resident of Burlington, Vermont, USA, is delighted. He is legally blind, but the next time he goes out to vote, he will not need to rely on a member of his family to read out the ballot paper to him. The Inspire Vote-by-Phone system will soon enable visually impaired people in Vermont, to vote using the keypad on a special telephone in the privacy of a voting booth.
Plans to make Lucknow city disabled-friendly
In a novel gesture, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a long-term strategy to develop all urban pockets in a disabled-friendly manner. To start with, the new civil structures comprising easy slopes with handrails and ramps have been erected at the Charbagh Railway Station and in the posh Hazratganj market. Auditory signals along with traffic lights will soon be in place at the main crossings in Lucknow, to facilitate movements for the visually impaired people.
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