Disability News India (DNI)
Disability News India (DNI), is a disability News service dedicated to providing a quality up-to-date information to the Indian Disability. DNI's news section is updated two times a week, though we also add breaking stories as and when they occur.
Disability News India – June 2008 Issue
- Mobile phone concept for visually impaired: the Sens Inclusive by Takumi Yoshida
- Firm prepares blind people for corporate world
- Education of disabled children in India
- Prathyasha (Hope) – Disabled people find perfect life partners
- Senior govt officials told to be present for hearing of case related to special children
- HC directs MCI to decide on disabled candidate
- Punjab govt invites applications for state awards for disabled people
- Raw deal to visually impaired at exam centre
- Delhi Govt. told to work towards disabled-friendly transport
- Belated claim of deduction under section 80DD
- Amritsarfs visually impaired take their shirts off to protest lack of employment
- Bollywood takes aim at the pain of dyslexia –Indian families identifying with runaway hit film
- UP to set up university for disabled people
- 5 held for lynching disabled youth
- Bus guide for blind people –Designed: a cane that reads route numbers aloud
- Fill up vacancies in schools for disabled people: HC
- Banks asked to extend all facilities to visually impaired people
- Dignity for disabled people at airports
- Incentives for marrying disabled people WCD prepares detailed scheme, Finance Department nod awaited
- All For a Smooth Flight –Exclusive Services for Disabled Air Travellers
- City still on national polio map, govt hopes this will be last year
- Blind students now record lectures
- Eligibility Income Limit for Disabled Pension Set to be upwardly revised
- Delhi University Admission forms in Braille
- Voting tough for disabled people in Indian elections
- Bribe route for disabled funds
- Disabled girls confined to room for years hoping for miracle
- Speaking keyboard for blind people in Pune
- Disabled children succeed in Madhyamik
- Tongue helps blind people find their way
Mobile phone concept for visually impaired: the Sens Inclusive by Takumi Yoshida
Now here is a mobile phone concept from designer Takumi Yoshida, the designer of the Sens Inclusive mobile phone concept, it doesn't have a fancy, snazzy touch–screen, however if it ever does become a reality it will be a superb accessory for visually impaired.
The Sens Inclusive, coupled with a Bluetooth earpiece incorporates a keypad with uniquely individually shaped buttons which make them distinguishable at a touch, which is ideal for those suffering with sight problems. The Sens Inclusive will also be able to give real time audio feedback, and remembering the Sens Inclusive is purposely targeted at the visually impaired, will also discern different colours, as this concept uses different colours to indicate the differing mobile phone functions.
For once someone has actually designed a concept mobile phone that could possibly be of great value to some unfortunate folk. It is way time some forward looking mobile manufacturer, one of the big boys who can afford to be a little experimental, picked up something like this and took it all the way from concept to public shelves.
We see time and time again mobile phones hitting the markets with this technology and that technology, maybe it is time technology was put to real good use and bring a mobile handset to the world of visually impaired, just to make life a little easier.
Source: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk
Back to TopFirm prepares blind people for corporate world
MUMBAI, 22 Jun: After years of grappling for a brighter future, Urvish Patel has finally seen light at the end of the tunnel. Urvish is blind in his right eye with 60% blindness in his other eye. The 25–year–old has landed himself a job at the global help desk in a BPO where he begins work shortly. Urvish was one of eight visually–impaired of the pilot batch for advanced computer training designed for the visually–impaired. The training was an initiative by the firm TCS Maitree.
"Most jobs for the visually–impaired are in the informal sector. For years I worked as an office assistant but was not happy as I longed to be a part of the corporate world. However, with my disability I found it difficult to realise my dream," says Urvish.
Urvish is the sole earning member of his family. His father is retired while his mother is a homemaker. From birth, he suffers from blindness in his right eye and a high fever at age 19 weakened the sight in his left eye.
He completed college by recording notes or using a magnifying glass while studying or photocopying notes in huge fonts. Today, however, he feels vindicated.
"The salary at my previous job was very less. I will now earn more than three times as much as I used to. I can proudly say that I have realised my dream and have made my parents proud," says a beaming Urvish. At the global help desk, Urvish will troubleshoot problems with the help of user–friendly software for the blind called JAWS.
At present, the second batch of 16 visually–impaired students chosen from all over India are being trained at the M N Banajee Industrial Home for the Blind in Jogeshwari. They will be trained in IT infrastructure and service management, the BPO sector as well as in soft skills.
Sporting a bright blue tee is 24–year–old Deepti Patelkhana from Hyderabad. Deepti worked as a medical transcriptor and is now attempting to gain knowledge about systems and system auditing. "I always had weak eyesight. A brain fever at age 10 followed by meningitis caused me to lose my vision completely. The doctors could retain some part of my vision only after an operation," she says.
According to her, her ears now perform the function of eyes. "With the help of JAWS I can chat, email and even read a newspaper," says the girl. JAWS is a powerful software program designed to work with a speech synthesiser to improve the productivity level of the visually–impaired. After this course, Deepti hopes to join either the human resource department in the IT sector or a non–voice based BPO.
Geetanjali Shinde, a behavioural trainer at the centre says working with the visually–impaired is fun. "They are very enthusiastic and intellectually stimulated. They are very curious, passionate and opinionated."
Also working closely with the batch is Nina Screwvalla, global head of TCS Maitree. Screwalla says that being with these special people is inspiring, "Their enthusiasm for life is infectious and after this training they will be on par with people like us."
Founder of Maitree, Mala Ramadorai says that the training will ensure that these visually–impaired will require no concessions." Concessions at the physical level is understandable but not at the competence level," she says.
Of the eight persons in the pilot batch, six are placed at various corporate houses, while the other two didn't opt for employment. The present batch will finish training in a month's time and are enthusiastic to take on the corporate world.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Back to TopEducation of disabled children in India
India has 40 to 80 million disabled persons, it is estimated that about 30 per cent of them are children below 14 years of age. Education to them is offered through service models ranging from segregation to full inclusion in mainstream classroom..
"EVERY CHILD has a right to education,
to ensure their growth and development, to fulfil their individual potential."
The UN Declaration on Human Rights
Arvind is 11–years–old. He developed polio when he was a small child. His arms are wrapped almost completely behind his back and his legs are permanently in a sitting position. Arvind's left foot is the only part he can move. He uses this foot with great skill, and does all his writing and drawing with it. His aim is to become an illustrator. Everyday, with pencil between his toes, Arvind is creating new characters and simple stories. But it has not been easy for his parents to get him admitted in a school. They ran from pillar to post and somehow succeeded. But not all disabled children in India are as lucky as Arvind.
The question remains: What should be done with the child who is different?
India has some 40 to 80 million persons living with disability, it is estimated that about
30 per cent of them are children below the age of 14 years. India is one of the few countries in the world where 90 per cent of disabled children do not receive any form of education
World over the education for disabled children is in disarray. Disabled children make up a third of the 77 million children worldwide who are excluded from education – equivalent to twice the number of children living in Britain.
A new report published by the World Vision few months ago and now much in circulation among non–government organisations (NGOs), cautioned the international community not to neglect disabled children in efforts to provide universal primary education to all children by 2015.
Poverty in India means many families have to make choices about, which of their children they can afford to send to school. Parents of children with disabilities have even more difficult choices, as they struggle to pay for medical treatment, special equipment and transport.
No population–based study has been conducted at the national level to provide authentic data on the prevalence and incidence of disability in India. Therefore we must rely on the projections made by sample surveys. It is estimated that the population with disability in India is approximately over 90 million, of these 12 million are blind, 28.5 million are with low vision, 12 million are with speech and hearing defects, six million orthopaedic ally handicapped, 24 million mentally retarded, 7.5 million mentally ill.
In a separate survey of children (age 0–14 years) with delayed mental development, it was found that 29 out of 1000 children in the rural areas had developmental delays, which are usually associated with mental retardation. Approximately three per cent of the children between 0–14 years of age have developmental delays associated with mental retardation.
The incidence of physical disability (number born or otherwise rendered disabled) in the rural areas of the country was on an average 90 persons per 1,00,000 populations. The figure in respect of the urban areas was 83.
The government keeps no record of the number of disabled students in schools but activists say the number of children of school–going age who suffer from disabilities may be more than 20 million.
Despite their social, religious, economic, political and geographical differences, most Indiansconsider disability as part of 'karma'. This line of thinking, in which the past, present and future are attributed to supernatural powers typifies Indian philosophical thought with its belief in 'karma', and is accepted in large part even today.
In Indian psyche the disability is still considered a punishment for sins of previous birth.
Despite all odds, some progressive steps have been taken in India. In keeping with demands for a more inclusive system of education in India, the government promises to include disabled children in all its educational programmes.
In a move to make the educational system more inclusive, the government has promised to include disabled children in all its educational programmes, including the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
The education of children with disabilities is offered through a variety of service models ranging from segregation to full inclusion in a mainstream classroom.
There are more than 3,000 special schools in India today. Of them, 900 are schools for the hearing impaired, 400 for children with visual impairment, 700 for those with locomotor disabilities, and 1,000 for the intellectually disabled.
More than 50,000 children with disability are enrolled in the Integrated Education for Disabled Children, a government–sponsored programme.
While the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has made a concerted effort to promote the inclusion of children with special needs, the system faces challenges in identifying these children and responding to their needs. Only around 1 per cent of funds under SSA are spent on inclusive education. And, the budget for educating children with mild to moderate disabilities in regular school settings has not increased commensurately, since the focus on inclusive education began in the 1970s.
A few schools have resource rooms and employ special education teachers to help retain children with special needs in their system. Sadly, these facilities are found in very few cities.
Since there are almost no special schools or special educational services in rural India, integrated education for children with special needs is provided by default in the village schools.
In 1987, the Ministry of Human Resources Development, along with UNICEF launched another experiment: Project Integrated Education for the Disabled (PIED). In this approach, project areas are identified and all the schools in the area are expected to enroll children with disabilities. Training was provided to teachers for this purpose. This project was implemented in one administrative block each in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan,@Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Mizoram, Delhi Municipal Corporation, and Baroda Municipal Corporation.
Government policy, legislative actions, schemes and provisions for the disabled give the impression of a state that is committed to human rights and equal opportunities. But the ground reality is quite different. The disabled children continue to be neglected and marginalised, with the onus of care on the family rather than the community. India needs to shift from the medical model of intervention to community rehabilitation of the disabled.
There is a need for a holistic approach on this issue. We need to change the education system to make it accessible to all children and prepare the society ? the parents, friends and employers to provide support to the disabled children.
Although India has a growing disability rights movement and one of the more progressive policy frameworks in the developing world, a lot more needs to be done in implementation and getting the basics right. Let us teach parents how to become an effective advocate for their child. A primary goal such advocacy skill of parents is to empower them to be more effective and knowledgeable about legal provisions and schemes. Informed, supportive parents are better able to make rational decisions for their child.
The seeds of 'inclusive education' are sown, in a society where disabled people have very little opportunity to be integrated. This indicates that task is going to be tough.
Source: http://www.merinews.com
Back to TopPrathyasha (Hope) – Disabled people find perfect life partners
New Delhi: Forty–two–year–old Simon Geroge has a unique mission in life – to help disabled people find the perfect life partner.
Himself a disabled person, George has till now conducted close to 2,000 such marriages.
In 2004, George set up Prathyasha means Hope, to help find life partners for disabled people. Since then, the organisation has become his life's mission.
It is perhaps his own personal tragedy pushes him to help others. George suffered a viral attack when he was just 21 and has been wheelchair user ever since.
"After what I went through in my life, I decided to dedicate my life to this programme. Everybody has a dream of finding a life partner. But for disabled people, it is a very tough job. Hope is for all people without any discrimination of caste or religion," says George.
Sabu and Nelgi are both deaf persons, however, it's more than their disability that they share with each other. Today, they share their life.
A few years ago, this was something many like them in Cochin could not have even thought of because finding a suitable partner for disabled was a near impossible task.
However, with George's help, this impossible mission has become a reality.
"We came here four years ago with out girl as we could not find a suitable groom for her. Luckily she met Sabu and they immediately liked each other. This year we have come searching for a groom for Nelgi's cousin who is also deaf," says Nelgi's father, Devassay Kutty.
The success of George's mission was visible at the Town Hall in Cochin where close to 1,500 people turned up on Wednesday and by the end of the day, 29 marriages were registered, a testimony to the fact that life gives everyone a fair chance.
Source: http://www.ibnlive.com
Back to TopSenior govt officials told to be present for hearing of case related to special children
Mumbai, June 16 The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Principal Secretary of Social Justice Department as well as the Disability Commissioner to remain present in court on Thursday for the hearing in a case related to the school of deaf children in Goregaon.
Shaina Mulani, Sanghamitra Roy and other parents of the 75 special children had moved court earlier this month against the headmistress of Goregaon's Sanskardham School, Lata Naik, alleging harassment of various kinds.
According to petitioners' lawyer Uday Warunjikar, the state government had asked the students to take admission in some other school. However, Warunjikar contended that there was no other school meant for the multi–disabled children in the city. The court observed that if the students are removed, it's the state's obligation to admit them in another school.
In October last year, the state government had informed the court that they have appointed an administrator to look into the various allegations levelled against the headmistress by the parents of deaf and mute children. The court had directed the disability commissioner to visit the school on a working day and submit a report.
The court was informed that a committee comprising Divisional Officer of Social Welfare Department and two others have been appointed by the Commissioner for Disability for making an enquiry regarding financial irregularities and other allegations.
Warunjikar had then told the court that the school had received a sanction on grant–in–aid basis in 2004. In spite of that, they have still collected an amount of Rs 3.5 lakh from the students. In 2005–06, a scholarship scheme was introduced and although the school received the scholarship amount, it was not disbursed to the students.
Other allegations are that some of the students were demoted to a lower standard. The parents had alleged that in spite of a grant to the school for providing free education, the school has charged Rs 3.5 lakh from the students for a year. "As a result of that the student has received mental injury and shock," the petition states.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com
Back to TopHC directs MCI to decide on disabled candidate
Mumbai, June 16 The Bombay High Court has directed the Medical Council of India to constitute a medical board to examine a MBBS graduate who was denied admission to post–graduate course under the disability category within two weeks.
The court had granted the candidate interim relief in May by directing the DMER to grant her provisional admission in the remaining seats.
Saroj Yadav, who suffers from post polio residual paralysis of the right hand of upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow, has completed MBBS from Grant Medical College and is currently pursuing PG course in radiology which was opposed by the MCI.
On Monday, a division bench comprising Justice S B Mhase and Justice Ashutosh Kumbhakoni stated that if MCI did not take any action then the court will.
Yadav's lawyer contended that MCI has imposed a blanket ban on admission to candidates with upper limb disabilities. According to MCI rule, such candidates are not eligible for admission to MBBS course, too. However, the court observed that Yadav had infact finished MBBS with first rank in the disability category and had also performed surgeries during the course.
"Your client (Yadav) has proved that the rule is bad," Justice Kumbhakoni said.
The counsel for the MCI submitted that this is the first case where such a complication has occurred. The court stated that the issue should not be stretched and the MCI should be fair to the candidate.
It was her 'desire' to pursue a career in medical that made her appear for the post graduation common entrance test (PG–CET) conducted by the DMER in January 2008.
wanted to do medicine, but because of this rule I've decided to go for radiology," Yadav told Newsline.
Saroj stated that to her "utter shock and surprise" she did not find her name in the list of candidates selected for the course.
Saroj's written submissions before the court stated that she was not eligible for admission to the postgraduate medical course even though she had secured the first rank in the disability category and 552nd in the overall general category.
She stated that she was certified medically fit by experts of the Medical Board of DMER to undergo professional training course despite her disability. She had further contended that she was keen to pursue only non–surgical or non–clinical courses offered by the post–graduate medical curriculum which suit her purpose. She finally pleaded that the guidelines ought to be interpreted at par with the constitutional rights which include the Right to Education.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com
Back to TopPunjab govt invites applications for state awards for disabled people
CHANDIGARH, 13 June: The Punjab Government had invited application from disabled employees, sports person and institution who contributed for the welfare of disabled people to honour then with state awards.
Disclosing this here Friday Ch. Swarna Ram Social Security & Welfare of Woman & Child Development Minister said that applications should reach to the Director Social Security Department duly recommended by the Deputy Commissioner on prescribed Performa along with full biodata on or before 15–7–08.
Minister also said that these awards were given every year on December 3rd on World Disabled Day. The applications received after 15–7–08 would not be entertained.
Source: http://www.punjabnewsline.com
Back to TopRaw deal to visually impaired at exam centre
Jamshedpur, June 11: Two visually impaired students were forced to
appear for their postgraduate examinations with common pupils at
Jamshedpur Co–operative College here today.
According to the rules under Persons with Disabilities Act 1995,
visually impaired students appearing for exams in higher classes must be
provided separate rooms having easy access.
A writer is also provided to read out the question for the examinees and
write the answers.
As the process involves conversations between examinees and writers,
they are supposed to be provided with separate rooms.
Sonali Pal and Divesh Kumar, both students of MA Part–I, were appearing
for their sociology exam conducted by Indira Gandhi National Open
University (Ignou) today.
As it was the first day of the examination, and the duo were unaware
about seating arrangements, they started moving from room to room much
before the examination began.
But the examination co–ordinator made them sit at the extreme end of the
exam hall. The exam began at 10am.
Though provided writers, when the exam began, the duo stopped answering
questions. They realised that the hall in which they were seated had
gradually filled up with other students.
Sonali approached the co–ordinator to demand for a separate room. But
she was refused.
Three hours later, before the exam ended, Sonali informed Arun Kumar
Singh, the president of Jharkhand Viklang Manch, who arrived at the spot.
The Jharkhand Viklang Manch president told The Telegraph that the
authorities should have acted according to the provision under the
Persons with Disabilities Act.
He said that the two visually impaired students must be given their due
facility throughout the rest of the examination.
Otherwise, he would take up the issue with the chief minister, he warned.
"This was an example of apathy towards the visually–impaired. But we
know well how to fight such issues. I will get justice for the two
students," said Singh.
The examination co–ordinator, however, refused to comment on the issue.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com
Back to TopDelhi Govt. told to work towards disabled-friendly transport
NEW DELHI, 10 June: Disabled persons in the Capital who are unable
to use public transport in its prevalent form will soon have access to
disabled–friendly means of travel. The Union Urban Development Ministry
has asked the Delhi Chief Secretary to draw up a road map for making
public transport in the city disabled–friendly.
In a letter shot off by the Ministry, attention has been drawn to the
challenges that disabled people face while using public transport. Union
Urban Development Secretary M. Ramachandran, who is also the chairperson
of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, has said in the letter: "It is
often noticed that various road infrastructure including pedestrian
paths, pedestrian crossings, bus stations, buses, etc., are not properly
designed so as to be accessible to disabled persons thereby
rendering their movement extremely difficult."
"Even after thirteen years of passing of the Act by Parliament, the
implementation in the field is not significant," he lamented.
To make road infrastructure and transport projects easily accessible for
disabled persons, the Secretary has suggested that the State
Government "either design a special bus service for disabled persons on the lines of 'Dial–a–Bus' service in the United
States of America or make all the buses disabled–friendly.
"
Mr. Ramachandran has cited the annual report for the year 2005–06
submitted by the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCD),
which recommends that public places including transport should be made
accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with Sections 44
to 46 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.
He also recommended that a nodal officer be appointed in every district
to ensure that the road infrastructure and transport are made disabled–
friendly.
As now of, it is only the Delhi Metro railway that is cited as an
example of disabled–friendly mode of transport that allows easy access
disabled persons.
Referring to the Ministry's directive, Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh
Mehta said: "The process to make roads and public transport disabled–
friendly is already underway. Once the multi–modal transport system
becomes operational, there will be provisions made like widening of
roads, integrated traffic systems, foot over bridges and low floor buses,
which in turn will allow disabled persons to easily access public spaces."
Source: Daily Mirror
Back to TopBelated claim of deduction under section 80DD
This is with reference to the benefit of Section 80DD for the maintenance,
including medical treatment, of disabled dependent to the tune of Rs. 75,
000 as deduction. I am regularly filing my IT return every year but so
far I have not claimed any deduction under the Sec. 80DD. Now I came to
know about it. I would like to know whether I can claim the deduction in
respect of my father aged 67 years, who is a disabled person
(poliomyelitis) to the extent of more than 60 per cent
disability.
Sec. 80DD allows a deduction of Rs. 50,000, which is for maintenance,
including medical treatment of a dependent person with permanent
disability.
If the disability is a severe one, deduction is at Rs. 75,000. In the
reader's case, the parent should be dependent on the reader "wholly
and mainly for his support and maintenance" with the parent not having
claimed any deduction in his own assessment under Sec. 80U as a
disabled person.
Disability should be one which falls under Disability (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
For other disabilities like "autism, cerebral palsy and multiple
disability, it should fall under National Trust for Welfare of Persons
with Autism. Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability
Act, 1999.
In either case, the claim should be supported by a certificate from a
medical authority authorised on this behalf to issue certificate for
disability/ illness under Sec. 2 of the respective Acts. To merit
deduction of higher deduction of Rs. 75,000, severe disability has to be
certified by the medical authority, satisfying the prescribed norms.
Supported by such a certificate, the reader may file and claim the
deduction in the return to be filed in future starting from the present
assessment year 2008–09 covering financial year 2007–08. He can file
revised return for assessment year 2007–08 covering financial year 2006–
07 before March 31, 2009. The law vests the Commissioner with the right
to entertain revision petition with power to condone the delay for
sufficient reasons, if any assessment had been made on the assessee for
earlier years.
But then, the fact that no claim was made in the return filed earlier is
likely to result in the Commissioner turning down the request for
condonation, as the remedy in such cases is discretionary. There is no
right of appeal against an order passed on such revision petition, so
that it is understood as a "mercy petition".
Source: http://www.hindu.com
Back to TopAmritsarfs visually impaired take their shirts off to protest lack of employment
Amritsar, June 7: Visually impaired people without jobs took their
shirts off in a bid to draw attention to their plight during a march in
Amritsar.
Visually impaired people resorted to the 'bare chest protest' to
open the eyes of the authorities to the fact that they were entitled to
reservation in jobs.
The protesters alleged that government was deliberately delaying in
meeting their rights.
"They are not providing us reservation for last eight to ten years.
Even if there are vacancies, no visually impaired person is recruited,"
said Jagmeet Singh, a protestor.
The demonstrators threatened to intensify their agitation if their
demands were not met.
"We have staged protest by taking off clothes. If need arises we will
march to main office, chief minister's residence and secretariat in
Chandigarh.
We would keep fighting for our rights. If then also no heed is paid to
our demands, then we will block road and trains," said Sunny Pal Singh,
another protestor.
The Central and State Governments have made it job reservation mandatory
for the visually challenged. But bureaucratic delays sometimes deny them
their lawful right.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com
Back to TopBollywood takes aim at the pain of dyslexia –Indian families identifying with runaway hit film
NEW DELHI: A recent Bollywood movie about an 8–year–old boy had all the ingredients of an Indian blockbuster, six songs, tearful ups and downs and a happy ending. But the film has also planted the seeds of a movement to raise public awareness about dyslexia in India.
When Madhu Mangla, 45, watched the movie, Taare Zameen Par, Hindi for Stars on Earth, she broke down and wept in the theater. She recalled feeling as if it were her son's life re–enacted on screen.
"My son changed five schools, but he could not read and write. He was labeled a failure by teachers. Children picked on him at school. I scolded him at home all the time," Mangla said of her son, now 18.
But after watching the movie, she went home and looked up dyslexia online. She read all night, and the next day she printed out the addresses of support groups in the city.
"The film gave me the strength to come out and admit he has dyslexia. It has taken me a very long time to do that," she said, as she played with the end of her floral chiffon sari and watched her son study at a learning center.
In the past three months, Mangla said, she has seen remarkable changes in her son, Rahul Mangla, who has been working with special–education teachers. He took the national 10th–grade test for the first time recently, and he has begun to type and send text messages from his cell phone.
"I learned in the movie that I have something called dyslexia," Rahul said. "But I also learned that I can overcome it with the right kind of teachers."
A runaway hit, the film is about a bucktoothed, wide–eyed boy who is scolded and punished by teachers and parents for poor test scores, and repeatedly called an "idiot" and "duffer." He retreats into a shell of silence and tears ? until a new, messiah–like arts teacher discovers the boy has dyslexia and encourages him to paint.
The film has lifted the veil on an issue that has remained shrouded in private pain for many families in India. Parents, schools, activists and policy–makers have held conferences and public meetings to talk openly about dyslexia since the film was released in December. Though a handful of groups have addressed the issue of dyslexia in India's big cities for more than a decade, public awareness and acceptance have been woefully low.
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability among children, and it affects a person's ability to process the written word, symbols and numbers. Most Indian schools do not have programs to help children with learning disabilities, and teachers are generally not trained to deal with the issue, if not completely ignorant of it. The few private schools that offer special education charge extra fees.
Activists estimate that 5 to 10 percent of Indian children show signs of dyslexia, but there are no official figures on the matter.
Source: http://www.chron.com
Back to TopUP to set up university for disabled people
Lucknow, 8 June: The Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to set up a university for disabled people in Lucknow and name it after the mother of senior BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra. The decision was taken at a meeting of the State cabinet presided over by the Chief Minister Mayawati here on Saturday.
Briefing newspersons later, Mayawati said the cabinet gave its approval to naming the upcoming university after Misra's mother because of her efforts for the welfare of disabled people, specially blind people, in her lifetime.
The university would be christened as Dr. Shakuntala Misra UP Viklang University.
Another important decision taken was hiking the pension of world war II veterans and their widows from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2500 per month, she added. –– PTI
Source: http://www.hindu.com
Back to Top5 held for lynching disabled youth
VILLUPURAM, 7 Jun: Following the macabre incident in a Villupuram hamlet, in which villagers set afire a mentally disabled man from Chennai mistaking him to be a burglar, police took into custody five persons, slapping on them charges of murder and rioting. About 20 villagers have been detained for interrogation.
The incident, which sent shock waves across the district, took place on Thursday when Venkatesan (35), who suffered speech impairment and became mentally unstable after an accident 12 years ago, left his relative's house in Veerambur village in search of his mother Kamalammal and sister Saradha, who had gone to attend a funeral ceremony.
He wandered into Ezhusempon village and was surrounded by villagers, worried over a recent spate of burglaries and murders for gain in the region. The aggressive villagers detained Venkatesan and badgered him for his details, without realising that he was a mute and mentally challenged.
Growing suspicious when he failed to reply, the villagers tied him to a tree and assaulted him. When he fell unconscious, they dragged him to a nearby burial ground and set him on fire, police officials said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Back to TopBus guide for blind people –Designed: a cane that reads route numbers aloud
New Delhi, June 6: Pratima Singh's face broke into a smile as she walked slowly towards the bus door.
"Bus No. 0718," someone at the door called out.
The walking stick in Pratima's hand vibrated with increasing vigour as she approached the bus. Then the 25–year–old let out an excited giggle.
She had reached– on her own.
A visually impaired student at Delhi University's Lady Shriram College, Pratima has had to depend on others all these days to guide her to a bus.
Now, she can dream of getting on buses without help after identifying their routes. A small box reads out the route number of approaching buses and a cane directs her to the door of the right bus.
Four computer science students at Delhi's Indian Institute of Technology have designed a unique "bus identification and homing" technology that has fetched them a short–term patent and requests of large–scale manufacture from the visually impaired.
Final–year students Rohan Paul, Vaibhav Singh and Dheeraj Mehra, and a senior, Ankush Garg, who has already graduated from the IIT, have also won support from the Indian government for their project.
Rohan said the idea first came to him during amateur school experiments eight years back.
"There was no opportunity to actually develop any system then. When I saw we had an opportunity here, in IIT, I wasn't about to let it go," he told The Telegraph after an official demonstration on Wednesday for students from the National Association of the Blind.
Pratima is a member of the NAB, which assisted the IIT team with regular feedback on the needs of the visually challenged. The association had pinpointed the lack of a bus identification system as a key problem.
The system consists of two box–shaped modules ? one, to be used by the visually challenged, and the other, to be loaded on to every bus.
When the user, standing at a bus stop, hears an approaching bus, he has to press a key on his module, marked 'Q' ? for query ? in Braille.
The module sends out radio frequency waves, which reach the receiver module on any bus within 30m. The bus module sends a signal back to the user's device, which reads out the route number of the bus.
If more than one bus is waiting at the stop, the signal from each of the vehicles is read out on the user's box. The user can select the preferred route by pressing another button after the bus number of his or her choice has been read out.
The module sends a fresh signal to the selected bus, which, on receiving it, calls out its route number loudly from a speaker placed next to the door. It helps the user determine the general direction in which to move. The specially designed cane vibrates with increasing intensity as the user approaches the door of the bus.
The user module can also be fitted on to the cane. The hand–held module and the cane, together, would cost less than Rs 1,000 after mass production, Paul added.
A Swiss travel–aide system for the visually impaired, the only possible competitor for the IIT product, costs around 800 euros (about Rs 48,000).
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com
Back to TopFill up vacancies in schools for disabled people: HC
June 06: The Bombay high court on Friday directed the state to fill up staff vacancies in schools for disabled people within two months.
Acting on a petition filed by SP Jagtap Guruji Muk–Badhir Vidya Prasarak Mandal, a trust running a school for disabled people in Sangli, the court said there should be no delay in recruiting teaching and non–teaching staff in the 674 schools for disabled people in the state.
Although all the schools are run by private trusts, government recruits the staff. The petitioners contended that there was 7000 teaching and non–teaching staff for the 674 schools. As per the 2001 Census, there are 15,69,582 disabled people in Maharashtra.
As per a report submitted on January 31 by the commissioner for disability Nitin Gadre, 2,714 candidates were shown as surplus in the teaching and non–teaching category. The court directed the government to either absorb them in the schools that need more staff or depute them in other suitable government departments.
The government also has the option to retrench the staff by keeping them on a waiting list and provide them with placements as and when vacancies are created.
The court warned that the government will be granted no extra time to complete the task as it has "already exhausted inordinate time in execution of the new staffing pattern".
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com
Back to TopBanks asked to extend all facilities to visually impaired people
Mumbai, June 4: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered all banks to extend full banking facilities to visually impaired people without any discrimination. In an advisory note issued here Wednesday, the RBI said its attention has been drawn to the fact that the visually impaired people encounter problems in availing banking facilities.
The RBI said such people are entitled to all facilities, including cheque books, operation of ATMs, lockers and the like as they were legally competent to contract.
It has ordered that banks must ensure that all these facilities as well as net banking, retail loans, credit cards and other services are also offered to the visually impaired people. Banks have been told to advise all their branches to render all possible assistance to them to avail banking facilities.
In this regard, the RBI has referred to a 2005 order of the Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities which had been forwarded by the Indian Banks' Association to all member banks in October that year.
The court observed that the "visually impaired persons cannot be denied the facility of cheque book, locker and ATM on the possibility of risk in operating or using the said facility, as the element of risk is involved in case of other customers as well."
Source: http://www.thaindian.com
Back to TopDignity for disabled people at airports
New Delhi, 03 June:IN VIEW of the increasing occurrences of airline staff misbehaving with disabled passengers, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a set of fresh guidelines for airlines personnel. The DGCA has asked all airlines of India to help disabled persons and those accompanying them, and also to train their staff in handling such people. In the past, there have been incidents when disabled persons were treated badly at airports. Recently, an autistic child was denied admission into a private carrier in Bangalore. Before this, two disabled passengers were told by the private airline in which they were travelling that the airline would not be responsible for their life and property.
In another case, a disabled person was forced to take a sedative pill on board. "Disabled people need special treatment and we are just making sure they get better treatment at airports across the country. All airlines and airport management staff have been asked to run programmes for their staff engaged in handling passengers. Only persons who are qualified shall be assigned to handle the disabled," a DGCA official said. Airlines were also told to provide necessary assistance to persons with disabilities who wished to travel alone.
Source: Mail today, New Delhi
Back to TopIncentives for marrying disabled people WCD prepares detailed scheme, Finance Department nod awaited
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa government is contemplating paying a cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 to bride or groom who would come forward to marry a physically disabled person.
A detailed scheme for incentive to start a family life was prepared by Women and Child Development (WCD) Department. The WCD has moved the file to Finance Department seeking latter's consent.
Sources in WCD Department said in any case if a physically disabled person was getting married, he or she would be entitled to get Rs. 50,000. A budgetary allocation could be made for the purpose soon, a highly placed source said.
For identification of beneficiary, Chief District Medical Officers would have to certify that person must live with 40 per cent of disability for qualifying the eligibility.
A committee comprising of secretaries of health, panchayati raj, higher education and WCD would give a nod to final list of eligible couples.
As per 2001 census reports, the total population of Orissa is 36804660, of which 1021335 are persons with disability.
There are many other surveys by National Sample Survey Organisation, office of Chief Commissioner Disability and WHO, which report higher percentage of the persons with disability in general population.
Reacting to the development, Sruti Mohapatra, a prominent activist for disabled people population in the State, said disability was a curse for many.
"We have a patriarchal society. Generally girls with disability are left behind while their counterparts manage to get married.
The scheme will help the physically disabled girls," Ms. Mohapatra said.
She said it would be a good gesture on behalf of the State government to extend incentive to start a family life by a physically disabled person.
Earlier, the State government announced cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 to encourage inter–caste marriage.
It was decided that higher caste youths would get a one–time cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 if they marry SC and ST girls.
money would be kept in fixed deposits in any nationalised bank in the name of concerned girl.
Whatever the number, the harsh reality is despite State Government's commitment to providing support services to enhance the quality of life of persons with disability in Orissa, low literacy, few jobs and widespread social stigma make disabled people among the most excluded.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com
Back to TopAll For a Smooth Flight –Exclusive Services for Disabled Air Travellers
Singapore Airlines launched its exclusive, complimentary services in Chennai for disabled people air travellers to simplify their air travel and keeping in mind the issues faced by them while at the airport. The airline has partnered Chennai based NGO Vidya Sagar to lend its support for the disabled people and to create awareness for the cause.
Present at the occasion was popular film star – Madhavan who championed the cause by wearing a special Blue and Gold Ribbon.
The initiative is set to kick–start with Chennai where Singapore Airlines will ensure that a dedicated escort takes care of disabled traveller, right from the airport entrance till the boarding area. The airline will also provide a special lounge access for them while they wait for the boarding announcement. Besides this, they will also receive priority baggage tags to cut down their waiting time.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. C W Foo, General Manager– India, Singapore Airlines said, "Singapore Airlines recognizes the importance of contributing to the communities it serves and our current initiative is a step in that direction. With this, we wish to make a difference in the lives of disabled people and hope that they will have a pleasurable experience with us".
Meenakshi, Coordinator, Vidayasagar expressed her happiness on the efforts made by the Airlines in highlighting the issues faced by disabled people, especially while travelling.
Endorsing his support towards the initiative, actor Madhavan congratudlated the airlines and emphasized his support to the initiative.
Along with the services for the disabled at the airport, the airline will soon commence the 'Solidarity Campaign', an awareness drive that would aim at creating an inclusive society for disabled people.
Source: http://www.chennaionline.com
Back to TopCity still on national polio map, govt hopes this will be last year
Mumbai, Remaining Pulse Polio rounds will be divided between p1 and p3 vaccines, target to eradicate deadlier p1 strain
With two cases of polio being detected in and around Mumbai this year, the financial capital remained in sharp focus while the polio programme policy was drawn up at a national meeting of the Polio Expert Committee earlier this week in New Delhi.
Though the deadlier strain of the polio virus (p1) remains the focus of the national programme, the detection of two (p3) strain cases in Mumbai last month has now prompted state health officials to divide the upcoming polio campaigns between the two strains.
"There will be six more rounds of Pulse Polio immunisation this year. Because of the detection of cases in Mumbai region with p3 virus, we will have to give vaccines for that strain. But with the national focus on eradicating the p1 strain, some rounds will be held to attack that strain," said Dr Prakash Doke, state health services director.
Doke added that officials in Mumbai would plan the schedule for the remaining year in the coming week.
Since the detection of a large number of p3 cases in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and after finding the same strains in Mumbai's sewerage, the preceding two rounds of "do boondh jindagi ke" in Mumbai have been with the monovalent p3 vaccine, which specifically targets this strain.
In 2006, an outbreak of the p1 strain in several Uttar Pradesh districts saw the virus spreading though the country, with Maharashtra recording five cases. The government then introduced monthly Pulse Polio rounds with monovalent p1 vaccine in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra.
A recent scientific report from Uttar Pradesh studied children in the high–risk Moradabad district and said they have developed close to 86–96 per cent immunity to the p1 strain. Of the four cases of p1 this year, none is from Uttar Pradesh.
"The scientific research paper shows very high levels of immunity among the children in Moradabad, which is a high risk area. Moreover, there have been no cases of p1 in Uttar Pradesh so far. The other cases are of 'orphan' virus and are not likely to spread. So officials are optimistic that this will be the last year of p1 cases," said Dr Doke.
A Pulse Polio immunisation round was also held on Sunday, before the monsoons set in.
Polio Sunday
Another Polio Sunday was affected by schools' summer vacations, with about 59.37 per cent of the city's over 13 lakh children administered the dose on Sunday. The previous round held in April had recorded 58.73 per cent turnout at 6,700 booths.
In both the rounds, Ward C recorded the highest booth average and R/South ward recorded the lowest turnout.
On Sunday, 70.08 per cent of children in Ward C were administered the monovalent p3 vaccine, while 51.23 per cent children were given the vaccine in R/South Ward.
"It is because of holidays. Children are out of the city and the turnout is low. Even last year, the turnout was less in April and May," said Dr Mangala Gomare, polio programme officer, BMC. The next Pulse Polio round is scheduled for July 6.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/
Back to TopBlind students now record lectures
New Delhi, June 05, 2008: Visually impaired applicants aspiring to get into Delhi University are a
tech–savvy lot. Gone are the days when they preferred to get into
colleges that provided tape recorders and cassettes. Today, they prefer
to record college lectures on their iPods and keep in touch with friends
and family through mobile phones modeled after their needs. While some
of them surf the Internet to find out about courses and colleges, while
many have active e–mail ids.
"I have a desktop and am going to buy an iPod to record lectures,"
said Yogesh Kumar, who wants to study History (H) in Hindu, Ramjas or
Hansraj college. "Those who do not have a computer have to manage with
a tape recorder. But I have a scholarship from the Delhi Government,
which will enable me to buy an iPod," said Kumar, who passed out from
JPM Senior Secondary School for the Blind.
Kumar has done his homework. "An iPod can record up to 24 hours of
lectures and comes for Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000. You can use it either with
a computer or CD player," says the son of a farmer from Uttar Pradesh.
Devender Singh, another aspirant with 80 per cent disability, never
steps out of home without his cellphone that has been equipped with
speech software called TALKS. "This software enables me to access all
features of my cellphone. It gives audio feedback from button presses
and can send and receive text messages. It also speaks out the name or
number of incoming callers," Singh explained.
For Sunil Mina, who is preparing for the civil services, surfing the net
is a must. "I use JAWS to read online newspapers and also keep tab of
how visually impaired people are doing by subscribing to a particular
website," said Mina. "Just as people see, I hear whatever is displayed
on the screen and work accordingly. It also helps me send mails to my
friends," said the student from St Stephen's.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com
Back to TopEligibility Income Limit for Disabled Pension Set to be upwardly revised
Mangalore, Jun 3: An adalat was convened in the office of the deputy commissioner (DC) here on Monday June 2, for the purpose of positively responding to the problems being faced by disabled persons.
Speaking on the occasion, notified state commissioner for the disabled Das Sooryavamshi informed that there was a likelihood of the present eligibility monthly income criterion for disabled persons from Rs 6,000 to Rs 11,500 in rural places and to Rs 24,000 in urban areas to be upwardly revised. Proposal for the same has already been forwarded to the government, and the issue was deliberated upon in a meeting held under the presidentship of the governor on March 12 this year. An order in this regard is expected any time now, he informed.
A scheme to provide employment to the disabled under the Multipurpose Rehabilitation Works scheme on payment of monthly honorariums is in vogue, and selection of candidates at gram panchayath level is in the offing. Selection process will be completed soon, Sooryavamshi explained. A committee under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner functions in every district to ensure that a congenial environment is created in public places and offices for the disabled, he noted.
The DC distributed forms to those who wanted to apply for disabled pension. Applications received for pensions, wheel chairs, houses, employment etc., were taken up at the adalat and steps initiated to do the needful. The DC assured to dispose off all the pension application at his office on the next Monday itself.
President of the Disabled Persons Federation Dinesh Shetty demanded for increasing the government employment quota for disabled persons, from the present 3% to 10% and demanded similar quota system even in the private sector. The people do not allow the handicapped persons to make use of the seats specially earmarked for them in buses, he complained. The DC instructed the RTO and police department to act upon this complaint.
State joint commissioner Israt Begum and district welfare officer for the disabled Puttaswamy were present at the adalat.
Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/
Back to TopDelhi University Admission forms in Braille
New Delhi, June 2 : Admission forms and a special information pamphlet in
Braille will be available for blind students at Delhi University (DU) for the first time.
Komal Kamra, a reader of Zoology and member of the Equal Opportunity
Cell, says she came upon the idea when a blind girl today asked her for
a form in Braille.
Strapped to her wheel chair, Kamra says: "I was struck by her request
because I have been working with the cell meant for disabled people for a very long time but the idea never occurred to me."
She immediately contacted Dr Seema M Parihar, who handles admissions of
disabled people, and together they will be typing and
printing out the form in Braille this evening so that it can be made
available on Tuesday.
These forms will act as basic guidelines for blind students and will not
be submitted to the university.
Blind students can read it in order to understand what is written on the
pre–admission forms and fill it accordingly. "Our volunteers will than
transfer the information on to the university–approved forms," Kamra
says.
Kamra, Parihar and nine student volunteers received 16 candidates on the
first day of admissions, which they say was very low.
"Every year, about 600–700 seats go empty at DU just because not enough
people apply for them," Parihar says. According to her, around 300
students applied for over 1000 seats at DU last year, and every one of
them got admission in the desired college and subject.
The cell members also feel that DU is very disabled–friendly, with new
ramps being constructed in every college. Kamra says that starting next
session, every college has to submit their plans for making colleges
more disabled–friendly.
Kamra says that it is only by getting a good education that she has
become empowered and can help others. "You see so many physically
handicapped people begging. It is only through education that we can
stop that," she says.
Equal opportunities
The Equal Opportunity Cell was set up in 2006 by the Vice Chancellor and
the Pro–Vice Chancellor to help make DU accessible to all. The convener
of the special cell is Rama Kant Agnihotri.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/
Back to TopVoting tough for disabled people in Indian elections
Yet another election and an all too familiar aftertaste of rights being denied is how the May 10th ended for people with disabilities in Banglore, as Karnataka went to assembly poll without Braille–enabled voting machines and ramps at the polling booths.
For the world's largest democracy it should be a rarity, but for these citizens of India exercising their franchise has been a test of will and dignity, despite legislations and directions from the Supreme Court of India, they have had to face numerous barriers in casting votes.
"Less than a month after the state chief electoral officer gave an assurance to disability activists, there is no sign of Braille strips on voting machines or ramps on the polling booths," says Paul Ramanath, secretary Karnataka Angavikalara Rajya Okkoota (KARO), a state–level alliance of disability groups supported by ActionAid.
"Despite a standing directive from the Supreme Court and a mandate from the Chief Election Commission, voters with disabilities in Karnataka faced inaccessible polling booths and voting machines sans Braille," confirms Victor John Cordeiro, programme manager of ActionAid's Disability Unit.
Right to vote scuttled – "I had to be lifted along with my wheelchair by no less than four people to get across the steps at the entrance of the polling station. There was no ramp as uausal," says Manjula, a wheelchair user who works with a leading international Business Process Outsourcing company.
"It was a day full of expectations so far as disabled people in the state are concerned, but when I went to vote I had to seek assistance in climbing steep stairs to the polling booth," says C. Mahesh, also a wheelchair user, works for the Community Based Rehabilitation Forum, as the Advocacy Coordinator in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Bangalore city witnessed one of the lowest voter turnouts in its history. But for people with disabilities, the zeal to exercise their franchise in these times of political apathy among the electorate, turned into frustration.
"The conditions at the polling stations were as usual inaccessible and insensitive with no change. As a result of this hundreds of disabled voters refused to vote and returned back to homes with anger and humiliation," adds a media statement by KRAO.
In 2004, the Supreme Court of India issued a directive asking the election commission to take measures to allow persons with disabilities cast their votes. The commission itself has since sent out many notices to state election bodies to ensure implementation.
Source: http://southasia.oneworld.net
Back to TopBribe route for disabled funds
Giridih, June 1: Funds meant for the benefit of disabled people are being
siphoned off by unscrupulous district officers who are insisting on a
bribe before handing over amounts as meager as Rs 200 a month.
Zia–ul Haq's story, unfolding 235km from Ranchi, is symptomatic of
the rot in Jharkhand where delivery systems of schemes for the poor have
collapsed. Worse, complaints to the authorities haven't yielded any
results.
Under a Union government scheme for disabled people, 12–year–old Haq was to
receive Rs 200 a month. But the local child development project office
(CDPO) refused to release the money to his mother unless she paid a
bribe of Rs 300.
According to Gulshan Aara of Witty Bazaar, her son was to get Rs 2,400
for last year under the Vivekananda Physically Challenged Self–dependent
Scheme. And the money was supposed to be released by the local child
development project officer.
"When I went to collect the amount from the CDPO's office on May 20,
two staff members, Rajesh and Kumud, told me to fetch water from outside.
When I refused saying I could not leave behind my disabled
son at the office, they refused to hand over the cheque," she said.
"Later, they asked me to keep Rs 200–300 on the table. But I refused,"
she added.
Gulshan has lodged a complaint with sub–divisional officer Iqbal Alam
Ansari who demanded a clarification from CDPO Padmashree Kashyap.
In Giridih alone, 6,000 disabled people were listed under
the scheme. Of them, 4,000 were beneficiaries. In the district
headquarters, two CDPO offices, urban and rural, ran the show. Under
the urban office, 440 disabled people were beneficiaries of
the scheme that was being serviced by 114 anganwadi centres headed by
Kashyap.
So far, Gulshan hasn't heard anything from Ansari.
In fact, Kashyap is understood to have suppressed her application since
she had complained to higher–ups.
But Kashyap refuted allegations. "I work very honestly as I feel the
pain of the poor. I am answerable to higher officials and not everyone,
" he said.
Complaints have been piling up regularly at the office of the sub–
divisional officer. And in most cases, the issues raised were similar to
those pointed out by Gulshan, no one was getting their due unless a
bribe was paid.
"I live in anganwadi centre No. 1 in Shastri Nagar. The centre needs a
sevika and my wife Indu fulfils the criteria. But CDPO Kashyap wants to
induct her only if we pay Rs 25,000," said Sudhir Kumar.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com
Back to TopDisabled girls confined to room for years hoping for miracle
Bhubaneswar, June 1 (IANS) Two disabled sisters in Orissa's
Sambalpur district have been confined to a room for the past four years,
praying for a miracle to cure them. Hastina Majhi, 21, and her sister
Binita, 15, have been living in a small room in their village Gudhrapada,
some 400 km from here, after they developed skeletal deformities,
suspected to be polio affliction.
The matter came to light when a few villagers complained to the police
that the girls were being "forcefully" confined to the room.
A team of district health officials Sunday visited the village to check
whether the girls have been afflicted by polio, said Narayan Nayak, a
police official.
The girls told police that they stayed inside the room after being told
by a 'godman' that only Lord Krishna can cure them and they need to
stay and worship in a restricted environment.
"We took them to local doctors, who told us that the girls have
developed polio and it cannot be cured," Pabitra Majhi, the girls'
father and a daily wager, told IANS.
The girls then preferred to stay in the room worshipping and observing
fasts frequently.
They would open the room only to take food or meet members of the
immediate family.
The district administration has announced it would extend all help for
their treatment, he said.
Despite mass immunization and efforts by government to eliminate the
virus, India continues to have cases of polio with 676 detected in 2006
and 590 cases in 2007.
In Orissa, health officials have detected at least three cases of polio
in past five years including in a two–year–old daughter of a migrant
labourer last month.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com
Back to TopSpeaking keyboard for blind people in Pune
Pune, May 29: A group of third year engineering students at Pune has
developed a Braille keyboard with a speech feedback that will make
typing easy for visually impaired.
The students studying at Cummins College of Engineering for Women who
developed the project said the device will help visually impaired
students to write their examination papers on their own, without the
assistance of another person.
"This keyboard has six keys out of which there are three special keys.
Any blind person can easily use these six keys. There are three special
keys called done, space and delete. Once a blind person finishes typing
an alphabet, he can press done and if he feels he has to delete what he
has typed, he can press delete," said Amrita Kharre, a student.
The keyboard has been designed exactly like the Braille language matrix
with three additional keys. The device consists of a Braille keyboard
connected to a micro controller and a text to speech (TTS) converter,
which gives output as sound that can be heard by using headphone or
speakers.
The students are keen to produce the keyboard on a commercial scale and
they also plan to develop its various language versions.
"This is like a Braille slate. It is similar to that. We can use it
without any problem. All visually impaired people can use this once they
get to know about it," said Ganesh Pratap, a visually impaired person.
Braille language was developed by Frenchman Louis Braille in 1761, which
is used by visually impaired people all over the world for writing and
reading. By Shivaji Salunkhe
Source: ANI,http://www.dailyindia.com
Back to TopDisabled children succeed in Madhyamik
SILIGURI, May 29: The odds were heavily stacked against them. But they were determined to overcome the odds. Niranjay Singha, a mentally and physically disabled student of the Nazrul Satabarshiki High School at Leucipokhri, who wrote the Madhyamik examinations with his right leg, Sanjay Mandal of Netaji Boys' High School completed his Madhyamik examinations despite being almost completely paralysed, Amit Ghosh, a Nanda Prasad High School student, whose father met with a fatal accident during his Madhyamik examinations and who was himself seriously injured in the accident have all come out with flying colours in the Madhyamik examinations this year.
While Niranjay and Sanjay have scored 406 and 402 marks respectively, Amit has secured 83 per cent marks with Letters in Life Science, Physical Science, Work Education and Physical Education.
Amit, who is a resident of Babu Para in Naxalbari, revealed that many people had advised him to sit for the examinations next year after his father's death in the accident but the 16 year–old hurt in the accident as well appeared in the test half– an–hour after the accident and then completed the entire examinations from sick–bed after cremating his father.
Ghosh, who is planning to take science in Higher Secondary, has achieved 80 per cent marks in the science subjects, in most of which he appeared after the accident.
Like Ghosh, Sanjay and Niranjay also had the wisdom to choose correctly.
Sanjay, whose father is a plumber, was on the verge of giving up his education due to poverty and his physical limitations. But the 15–year–old resident of Shantinagar, who loves singing and painting, resolved to go ahead with his studies when the teachers of his school, decided to hold special classes for him at the ground floor of the school as Sanjay could not climb the stairs.
When Niranjay was young, he was confronted with a crossroad. On one path were his teachers and family members, who would not believe that the deformed retarded boy would ever be able to study properly and achieve success in life. On the other was the example of the retarded boy in the class–X lesson, "Most Beautiful." Niranjay chose the second.
The 20–year–old dusky boy, whose legs are thin, short and bowed, has a small chest and short and twisted arms, struggles to utter even a single word properly has done it too. "It is a dream come true," grinned the 20–year–old resident of the remote Banikjote area, Nimtala village under Phansidewa block.
The son of a poor farmer and a menial labour, both of whom were sick during the examinations, Niranjay, whose school is about 3.5 kilometers away from his house, said that he never allowed his parents or any acquaintance to accompany him to school.
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net
Back to TopTongue helps blind people find their way
Tek Lal Paswan, 20, lost his eyesight when he was 10 because of malnutrition. The Class X student relies on his cane and helpful people on the streets of hometown Bokaro to travel safely.
Manti Pradhan, 22, from south Midnapore has been blind since she was a year old. The BA final–year student has to request strangers to help her board buses and trains
Tek Lal and Manti are hoping that the new skill being taught in a workshop they are attending in the city will enable them to find their way through busy streets anywhere without turning to strangers for help.
Echolocation involves teaching the brain to perceive images with the help of sound stimuli and is commonly used by visually challenged people abroad, especially the UK.
The five–day workshop, organised by Mission of Mercy Hospital, is being conducted by Daniel Kish and Brian Bush of World Access for the Blind, an American non–profit organisation. The first training session was held on Monday.
Kish, who is himself blind since birth, said all visually challenged people were naturally inclined to use echolocation to a certain extent. What he and Bush have done is develop this method into a full–fledged curriculum.
The first stage of learning echolocation is "stimulus comparison" through exposure to diverse objects, like buildings and bushes. Students are taught to distinguish between them through the difference in sound reflected off each while clicking with the tongue.
The next stage is stimulus association, where students are required to compare an object with one perceived earlier. In the final stage, participants are taken to an unfamiliar location and asked to find their way through it using their new skill.
Tek Lal is confident of "picking up" echolocation quickly. "We use this method unconsciously," he said.
Kish said a trained person would be able to accurately differentiate between objects solid and hollow, big and small, and gauge the distance at which it stands with just a click of the tongue. "A flat, dense object like a wall will produce a louder echo than a fence."
Kish's colleague, who has been blind from the age of 14, even does mountain biking and plays the bass guitar in a band. The duo would like to return to the city for a more comprehensive programme.
Jabesh Dutt, the founder–director of the Divine Fellowship Blind School where the workshop is being held, said the best part of the workshop was that the teachers were being trained, too. "We will incorporate the technique into our curriculum," he added.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/
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