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Disability News India – August Issue
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Vashkar Bhattacharya
Access to information and communication technology (ICT) has created opportunities for everyone; these advances have been particularly meaningful for persons with disabilities, allowing them to overcome the societal barriers of prejudice, infrastructure and inaccessible formats that stand in the way of participation.
But, many persons with disabilities remain unable to take full advantage of the Internet, because most websites are inaccessible to the blind and visually
impaired, heavily dependent on using the mouse, and because training is often conducted in inaccessible formats and venues. Most persons with disabilities do not have access to new information technology at all.
above information from DPI website.
I shall try no stone unturned to disclose you how the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) has overcome his/her inability to able by using ICT. Information Technology is now in Bangladesh. My thanks and gratification goes to the authorities of UTSA for arrangement of this seminar for the first time in Chittagong.
It is being said that one is powerful who has information in his hand and the key of this great powerful information is very familiar one to all of us––––it is nothing but a mere box of computer. You might be think over the aspect that how the PWD can use the computer–––specially for the visually impaired persons.
To remove your doubt I like to site you an example from my own experience while I was in Japan. Being a visually impaired person I was always relied on others' cooperation for my reading, writing & collecting information.
I had to rely absolutely on written Braille to express my views. To do something i.e. writing & reading by the help of others it was impossible for me leaving the Braille. However, to be self reliant it was the only factor for me that I should read and collect information by my own endeavor.
I like to express my boastful words in full confidence that I have already been overcome my difficulties being a PWD through the computer–based information technologies. I have already been expanded my fields of communication adopting a computer. Now I can communicate & exchange my views with foreign friends in a regular basis by using the information technologies (IT) and I would like to site you an example here in this regards.
While I was in Japan one of my friend from Philippines suddenly became ill at 12.30 a.m. My another friend from Malaysia as well as I was present there. As my friend from Philippines was ill, I need to communicate with friend from Malaysia about what to do at that moment. But I could do things easily as the problem lies in another place. My ill–fated friend with physical disability and friend from Malaysia was hearing impaired and I, as you know, was a visually impaired. The problem was severe because we were all PWD in various fields. So we could not solve the problem regarding friend from Philippines's illness at that critical moment. The only thing which helped us greatly at that time was my Screen Reader Laptop?the vital friend of the critical moment. This tiny & little thing i.e. Laptop helped us greatly to solve the problem regarding friend from Philippines's illness.
By sitting this example we can sternly say that we can solve all our problems using this software in computer. Now lets come to the point ? how I could solve the problem i.e. communicate with each other since we were all PWD in various fields.
A person with visually impaired can use computer with necessary software––it is Screen Reader software. This software can tell and read you loudly when a command can be given by pressing a button of a computer. A person with visually impaired can use a computer without using a mouse but merely using the key–boards of the computer.
Now lets go to the Screen––––I want to start the computer. I have to click Ctrl +Esc and the computer will start as well as the software will read me out loudly. Now I like to go to the Programme Menu then I have to press the key "Down Arrow" or pressing the 'P' letter from the keyboard. All the commands to be done to the computer will read me loudly by speech synthesizer.
Different types of Screen Reader Software are available in different languages. I do not know whether the software in Bangladesh is available or not. If it is not available in this country, I can assure you. So we can use software in English language.
I use a Screen Reader Software in English and its name is JAWS (Job Access With Speech). I can use it in Japanese language also. Generally I use three software and they are––––1. 2000 Reader 2. IBM Homepage Reader and 3. ALTER. By using these software we can go on our studies both in Japanese & English. I have been communicating with friends in foreign countries through internet both in Japanese & in English.
I think it is possible to develop screen reader software in Bangla. And cooperation and necessary steps should be taken up by the policy makers of Bangladesh Government and the authority concerned in this regards.
I have told you some words about Screen Reader Software and now I like to tell you about the other ways to demonstrate Braille without sound. Braille characters are to be seen on the device called Braille display with this software.
Any blind persons can compose all desired information into Braille easily.
While I was in Japan I used to read Bangladeshi English newspapers in a regular basis in Braille through internet. It is a matter of real fact that you can read the paper with your own eyes while I can read the same thing in Braille and it is possible through using the special software of a computer. I could be pleased if I could display the Braille on Screen but its cost is beyond my imagination to acquire the device.
I had an opportunity to study Braille Library Science in Japan. I had acquainted to various software available in Braille. There are some Braille software and using the same you can compose information into Braille very quickly. All that you need is a Braille Printer to transcribe the printed matter into Braille. You want to send a letter to one of your blind friends but you do not know how to write Braille. Simply compose your letter in computer and command the special device by pressing a button to transcribe it into Braille and it will offer you the Braille letter exactly. You need not know the Braille system at all.
Another software is available which has only six key of Braille characters. Being a blind you want to write a letter to your sighted friend and it is possible using the software. Now I like to inform you about Scanner?a device by which a blind person can read any printed matter sent to him/her. By using it a print handicapped person can read printed letters, magazines & periodicals, books and so on easily and smoothly. You need not depend anymore on others to do these things.
I have already been told you about Screen Reader software, Braille Display, Braille Software, Braille Printer, Daisy and Scanner and using these modern technologies all sorts of PWD can lead a happy life overcoming the barriers of life.
I have a long cherished desire to establish an ultra modern computer–based audio visual Braille Library for the PWD in Bangladesh.
I have tried my level best to describe you concisely about the Braille display, Braille Software & Braille Printer. Now I like to familiar you with a recent developed digital software named DAISY. It is very popular and famous Audio–Visual system for the PWD's.
Vashkar Vattacharya
Program officer of YPSA & Focal Point of DAISY in Bangladesh
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