A resident of Saltdean in southern England, Mark Threadgold, a world record holder of power boating and water speed, is now getting ready to attempt the record for the deepest dive ever achieved by a blind person.

A support team is helping Mark with his intensive training for the purpose. New techniques have been developed to help him overcome certain obstacles. One of the aids is a braille slate, which allows him to feel at what depth he should take decompression stops. He has also been practising tactile hand signals as a means of communicating with his dive buddy.

Jordan Mouton, a 16-year-old junior at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, U.S.A, is a judoJordan Mouton, a 16-year-old junior at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, U.S.A, is a judo player. She plays the game with such precision, that on watching her recent performance at Cahill's Judo Academy in San Bruno, you would never know that she is severely visually impaired. When she was eight, Mouton was found to have Rod/Cone Dystrophy, a name given to a wide range of eye conditions. However, she continued playing soccer until she was 12.

In the era of online and telephone banking, there is a growing need for banks to remotely authenticate all customers during non face-to-face transactions and that includes the visually impaired customers.

Now, here is a device, ‘X.i.-Sign 4500’ that acts as personal authentication and signing tool based on the E.M.V. standard smart card designed specifically to meet the needs of the visually impaired banking users.

All children should experience the thrill of receiving a response from Santa Claus and that’s the intention of the programme. T-Base Communications (Canada) is assisting Canada Post's annual Santa letter-writing programme by providing response letters in Braille to blind and partially sighted children from around the world.

It is the fourth consecutive year the company has helped with the programme, offering the service to Canada Post at no charge. The company replies to children's wish lists in Braille on a daily basis.

Pakistan won the toss and invited India to bat first. India scored 225 for seven in 40 overs before the defending champions overhauled the target in 29.2 overs to become world champions for the second time.

The hosts lost only four wickets during their chase at the Pindi cricket stadium.

For India, Shahbash Boya topped the score with 54. His efforts were complemented by Daleep Mandis who fell three runs short of a 50.

However, the duo's efforts were negated by the Pakistani fielders, who built pressure on the India, making the players struggle for every run.