What’s New
iPhone app lets visually impaired type and text
While Siri and VoiceOver can assist visually impaired iPhone users, new software out of the Georgia Tech College of Computing looks to supplement these accessibility options. BrailleTouch is a prototype application that uses traditional Braille input on the iPhone’s touchscreen, allowing people to type up to 32 words per minute with 92 percent accuracy, all without looking at the phone’s display.
HC raps govt over extra insurance sum for disabled
Complaints of discrimination against the disabled are common in matters of civic amenities, job appointments and admissions to educational institutions. But now one such case has emerged in relation to a life insurance scheme floated by the central government itself.
Slamming the Centre, the Delhi High Court has said it will quash its postal life insurance policy that charges the physically challenged extra premium.
Stakeholders discuss inclusive education for children with disabilities
‘North South Dialogue IV– Implementing Tools of Change For Inclusion', one of the mega conferences on inclusive education for children with disabilities began here on Sunday.
A waiting room for seniors, persons with disabilities
The Indian Railways has set up an exclusive waiting room, complete with a restroom and wash area, for senior citizens and persons with disabilities at the Bangalore City railway station's Platform No. 1.
According to a press release, this area would be maintained by a non-governmental organisation that runs battery-operated vehicles on the platforms for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
For the 1st time, car rally for visually impaired in city
The organisers of the event call it a “rally with a difference” and indeed it is one. On March 4, Pune will witness its first car rally for the visually impaired. The rally, which will be flagged off at 8 am from Phoenix Market City Mall, Kalyani Nagar, is expected to get registrations from around 125 drivers. The rally will follow a strict pattern - the participants will drive the car, while a visually impaired navigator in the car will direct the driver by reading through an instruction manual written in Braille.
Egmore hospital not in list of centres performing transplants
The Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Egmore, one of the major referral centres for eye care, has been left out from the list of recognised facilities for performing corneal transplantation in the State. Officials attribute it to a “clerical error.”
The hospital's name does not feature on the State government's website of cadaver transplant programme.
The gift of sight
Aravind Jayabal bagged the prestigious ‘Silver Eye Award' for his short film titled “Vizhigal” on eye donation recently. Aravind is the founder and creative director of Raindropss, an NGO, comprising Chennai-based artists whose aim is to spread social awareness through short films and theme songs. “Vizhigal” is Raindropps' first project to bag an award. The NGO recently released two films that send out a powerful social message.
Apology demanded from Spicejet
Taking a strong view against the off-loading of a differently-abled 42-year-old female passenger from a Spicejet flight at Kolkata airport this past Sunday, disability rights organisations have criticised the action and demanded an apology from the airline.
Access to government schemes can improve standard of living
Can you empower a person with disability by giving him a calliper and teaching him physiotherapy exercises? It is not props, but the creation of an inclusive society that can essentially empower differently abled persons.
Blind women meet today
The Asian Blind Union is hosting a three-day event at Hotel City Park in Pitampura here beginning this Monday to discuss problems faced by visually impaired women in the Asian region.
“Blind Women Meet” will be inaugurated by World Blind Union president Maryanne Diamond from Australia. The second day will see “Conference of Asian Blind Union”.
On the last day, general assembly of blind representatives from the Asian region will discuss organisational matters and election of the new team.
Techology that teaches
Until a few days ago, Arjun and Althaf, Std X students of SMV School were at the mercy of their teachers to learn their daily lessons. Unlike other students of their class who had no problem following the new textbooks with changed syllabus, visually-impaired Arjun and Althaf who have not yet received the Braille texts had been struggling to keep up with their friends. “Not any more,” said the boys showing their audio CD packs which had recordings of all the lessons for their coming exams.
Aiding learning
Visually challenged persons seek free house pattas
Visually challenged persons marched to the Collector's office from Thangaraj Salai to draw the attention of the State government to consider their demands, which included issuance of house site pattas.
The members led by Sadasivam, Rajamani and others pleaded to the Collector during the grievance day meeting to direct the authorities concerned to issue free house site pattas.
District Collector U. Sagayam asked the authorities to examine their demands for house site pattas and issue necessary orders.
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