At a time when the visually impaired in the state are struggling to find a niche for themselves in the highly competitive world, a visually challenged woman from Malayattoor is making a living through content writing for multinational companies from home.

Lissy Varghese, 38, a graduate in English literature, instead of surrendering to blindness decided to overcome the handicap fighting all odds.  Born and brought up in a lower middle class family, life was not easy for her. Lissy, who had a four-year  stint with an MNC in Delhi, lamented the lack of support from society for the visually impaired.

“I was very fond of Braille and always wanted to be a writer. Visual impairment isn’t a handicap here as the industry wants output. I am able to deliver the goods,” says Lissy, who is currently working for Pattraco – an MNC having clients in US and Canada.

“Unavailability of blind accessible content is a major drawback. There isn’t much help coming forth from government either. There are many aspiring writers like me but they are deprived of opportunities to learn,” Lissy lamented.

Meanwhile, neglect stares at the visually impaired who aspire to become computer professionals like Lissy. Central funds to provide laptops and computers to visually impaired are often diverted.  “I applied for the scheme at the local body a few months back, but they said there was no such scheme,” said Lissy.

"Of four lakh visually impaired in the state, only 5000 have membership of the Federation of the Blind – which is necessary to avail of the benefits of government schemes,’’ said Ram Kamal, executive member of Daisy Forum of  India.

“Of the total 2.5 lakh computer literate blind in the state, only 120 have benefited from the  project,” said Ram Kamal who is also the Managing Trustee of Chakshumathi – the empowerment and assistive technology centre.

Source: Deccan Chronicle