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New Braille calendar in Odia for the visually impaired

Fri, 01/03/2020 - 10:27 -- geeta.nair

The visually impaired in Odisha will welcome the New Year with a new calendar for 2020 like all others.

Braille calendars with Odia information from the Odia almanac that were printed by the Red Cross Computerised Braille Press of Berhampur for free distribution have already reached most institutions in the State. Due to the efforts of Bijay Kumar Rath, a visually impaired social activist, who served as the manager of this Braille press in the past, printing and free distribution of Braille calendars in Odia language was started in 1992.

RBI launches app for visually challenged to identify currency notes

Thu, 01/02/2020 - 10:39 -- geeta.nair

Users of 'MANI' app will have to scan the notes using the camera, it said adding that the audio output to give our results will be in Hindi and English.

MUMBAI: With an eye to aid the differently-abled, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday launched a mobile app to identify currency notes. The visually challenged can identify the denomination of a note by using the application, which can also work offline once it is installed, the central bank said.

Odisha student designs glasses for visually-impaired, will help deaf people too

Tue, 12/31/2019 - 10:39 -- geeta.nair

The idea of making a special glass came to the teenager’s mind when he saw visually-impaired people of his village wear dark glasses, but it did not help them.

A class 8 student of a school in Odisha has designed special glasses for visually and hearing impaired that can give out signals or beeps when an object of any kind is in the vicinity.

How this Anand Mahindra-backed startup is empowering the visually impaired

Mon, 12/30/2019 - 11:57 -- geeta.nair

At Bengaluru’s Jyothi Seva Home for Blind Children, a particular second grader was once addicted to something that appeared like a gaming device. Despite getting repeatedly reprimanded from his teachers, the child would try getting his hands on the device as much as possible, even if that meant skipping his snack time. Sounds like the story of another gaming addicted boy perhaps? Yes and No. The device had been purposely allotted to the child by the school as it helped him learn Braille on his own through games and other fun activities.

Disability rights experts share the high points of 2019 & wishes for 2020

Fri, 12/27/2019 - 11:22 -- geeta.nair

2019 was a year of highs and lows for the disability sector in India. From the first deaf candidate to contest the Lok Sabha elections to accessibility in elections getting a major push, there was a lot to celebrate. There were heartbreaks too. RPWD Act guidelines remain on paper in many ways. So do the deadlines set under the Accessible India Campaign. In NewzHook’s final #StoryOfTheWeek for 2019 we pass the hat around and ask people from the disability sector their highlights for 2019 and the one big wish for 2020.

How smart tech could transform disabled people's lives

Fri, 12/27/2019 - 11:18 -- geeta.nair

Within a generation, technology has radically changed the way most people live their lives.

Smartphones and other devices are an added layer of convenience for many people - but they are making it possible to create innovations which could transform the everyday experiences of disabled people.

"The possibilities are immense," according to Robin Spinks, a senior innovation manager at the charity RNIB.

He is focussed on how technology can be deployed to improve the lives of blind people and those with visual impairment.

Delhi restaurants will now have menus in Braille

Fri, 12/27/2019 - 09:58 -- geeta.nair

The Delhi govt has recently passed an order to almost 400 hotel and restaurants stating that they should print menus in Braille.

NEW DELHI:  The Delhi State Commissioner of Person with Disabilities (PWD) has recently passed an order to almost 400 hotel and restaurants stating that they should print menus in Braille for the benefit of the visually impaired.

PowerOfOne – P Narahari is on a mission to make Madhya Pradesh disabled-friendly

Thu, 12/26/2019 - 16:19 -- geeta.nair

P Narahari is Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Public Relations Department and Managing Director, Madhyam, in the Madhya Pradesh government. 43-year-old Narahari has won over 40 awards, many of them honouring his efforts to build a barrier-free environment. He truly represents the #PowerOfOne.

It’s taken time, but glad women’s blind cricket has begun, says G. K. Mahantesh

Tue, 12/24/2019 - 10:32 -- geeta.nair

Blind cricket for men has a long history but blind cricket for women in India received a shot in the arm last week with the first-ever Nationals held here.

Seven State teams took part in a Twenty20 tournament to test their skills. But it had more value to the participants than just cricket.

We need a mentor to show us possibilities” – Blind Microsoft engineer Aditi Shah to NewzHook

Mon, 12/23/2019 - 15:09 -- geeta.nair

Blind Microsoft engineer Aditi Shah is home on a break for a few months before she joins tech giant Microsoft at their headquarters in the United States. Aditi recently finished her master’s degree from the prestigious Georgia Tech university. In an in interview to NewzHook, Aditi talks about the challenges she overcame to achieve her dreams and her goal to be a mentor to blind women in India. That’s our focus on #StoryOfTheWeek.

NewzHook: Welcome home Aditi. Can you talk about the role you will be playing as a part of the Microsoft team?

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