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 – May 2008 Issue
- 11–member Indian team for 22nd International German Paralympic Swimming Championship
- Rotary park for disabled people inaugurated
- DAISY Consortium Recognized with World Telecommunication and Information Society Award
- Free education for disabled people
- CPI plea in HC over disqualification of disabled medicos
- Technology lends a helping hand to disabled people
- Court pulls up bank for 'cheating' a disabled people
- Civil Services (main) Examination, 2007, Results Declared
- 10–month–old boy is second polio victim in Delhi
- AT&T launches iPhone plan for disabled people
- 15.6 lakh blind people in UP
- Polio cases highest in India
- Software for blind people makes school easy
- Blind woman alleges attempt to rape
- SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
- Evening of dance for a cause
- Is Delhi blind–friendly?
- Microsoft, DAISY Make Reading Easier for People With Print Disabilities
- UNCRPD becomes effective from May 3
- DGCA lays down strict norms to help disabled people
- Directives to States on persons with disabilities
- Guide dogs allowed to fly
- Bringing Heritage to disabled people: Qutub walks the ramp, others to follow
- A Special Software
- Trained staff to help disabled people
11–member Indian team for 22nd International German Paralympic Swimming Championship
Gwalior, May 22: An 11–member team of disabled swimmers left for Germany on Tuesday night to participate in the 22nd International German Paralympic Swimming Championship at Berlin.
At least 15 probables practiced hard for over 35 days at a special training camp at the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior. The camp was held for the selection of the final 11–member team.
The team has a dream to bag at least one gold medal in the swimming championship being hosted at Berlin between May 22 and 25.
General Secretary of the Indian Paralympics Swimmers Organisation, Dr. V. K. Dawas has trained the team.
"These participants are going to take part in 22nd German International Swimming Championship. The team has been selected on the basis of national swimming championship held in Pune last December," said Dr. V. K. Dawas, General Secretary of Indian Paralympics Swimmers Organisation ahead of team's departure.
"It has 11 swimmers––three women and eight men; two of them are visually–impaired and two are on wheel–chair. They have gone through a rigorous training. Except for one, the rest 10 have been participating at all the levels," Dr. Dawas informed.
Beaming with confidence, the 11–member Indian team was determined to bring laurels like in the past when it fared fairly well abroad.
"My coach has been extremely supportive with me. I have taken part in normal competition. While people normally balance with the help of their hands, I balance myself with my legs and the difference is of 20 seconds. I have played in many nationals and have also been a gold medallist," said Vinod Singh, a paralympic international swimmer from Kolkata.
"I have also participated in many international competitions and have gone to London, won a bronze medal in 2006. I got the chance to play world games also," said he added.
"The institute was started by Dr. V. K. Dawas with four disabled–children in Circa 2000. He found out individuals with promising future, trained us and took great care. In 2006, the participants started going abroad supported by the government.
In 2006, the team went to England and brought home a medal. In December 2006, we went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Pacific Games and won so many medals there," said Deepa Malik, another team member.
"In 2007 in Taiwan World Games, this team went and did a commendable job. Now this 11–member team is going to Berlin for German Open Championship. We have received training for the same since past one–and–a–half month," Deepa added.
Though the team is aware of the big challenge it is to face, it is determined to bring laurels to the country and do everyone proud by bagging a Gold medal. By Ashok Pal
Source: ANI, http://www.dailyindia.com
Back to TopRotary park for disabled people inaugurated
Shimoga, May 19: Rajendra Kumar Saboo, past Rotary International
president, inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Park at the Rotary Youth
Centre in Shastri Nagar here on Saturday.
The park has been developed for the handicapped on a site allotted by
the Shimoga City Municipal Council and the Shimoga Urban Development
Authority.
Rajendra Kumar Saboo presented various facilities to the authorities of
the schools under the School Support System.
Sixteen public schools in and around Shimoga are being provided
furniture, drinking water, sports material and laboratory equipment as a
Matching Grant for International Humanitarian Project (No. 64696). The
District Governor of Rotary International District (3180), S.K.
Nagendran, the former District Rotary governors P. Narayan and R.D.
Prabhu, the president of the Shimoga Rotary Club, Usha Prabhu, and the
secretary, Rajani Pai, were present.
The park and the School Support System are sponsored by the Shimoga
Rotary Club as its golden jubilee projects.
Later, Rajendra Kumar Saboo inaugurated the "Rotary Club Shimoga
Jubilee" sponsored by the Shimoga Rotary Club.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Rotary International was
committed to bringing everybody into the mainstream of society through
its community development projects.
He said that the Rotary International president had given a new slogan
to the Rotarians all over the world in a bid to motivate them to involve
themselves in a service to society.
He said that this year's slogan "Rotary Share" was aimed at sharing
people's joys and sorrows by the Rotarians.
Rajendra Kumar Saboo urged the Rotarians to take the Rotary services to
the people with a renewed zeal and enthusiasm and build a healthy
society.
Nagendran presented the charter to the office–bearers of the new Rotary
Club.
The president of the new club, B S Ashwath, spoke on the new programmes
to be undertaken by his club.
C J Umesh welcomed the gathering. S Devanand proposed a vote of thanks.
Source: Udayavani, Karnataka Daily
Back to TopDAISY Consortium Recognized with World Telecommunication and Information Society Award
United Nations International Telecommunication Union selects DAISY Consortium for its outstanding contribution toward building an inclusive and more equitable Information Society
Cairo, Egypt (PRWEB) May 17, 2008 – The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, awarded its World Telecommunications and Information Society Award 2008 to the DAISY Consortium at a ceremony in Cairo, Egypt, the site of ITU TELECOM AFRICA. The DAISY Consortium was selected for its ongoing efforts to implement the principles of the World Summit on the Information Society.
In announcing the award, ITU Secretary–General Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure stated "ITU has decided to honor DAISY Consortium with the prestigious World Telecommunication and Information Society Award 2008, in recognition of your work in accessibility issues and your efforts to bridge the digital divide by ensuring access to information for those who have previously had severely limited or no access to information, such as persons with print disabilities, speakers of minority languages, indigenous populations without a written language, and those who are illiterate."
DAISY Consortium President Hiroshi Kawamura accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Kawamura says, "This award reinforces the DAISY Consortium's commitment to improving access to information for everyone, everywhere. We strive for an inclusive society where no–one is excluded from participation due to the format of knowledge base and communications."
About the Award
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day marks the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union on 17 May, 1865. World Day helps raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information communications technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. Since the conclusion of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in November 2005, the World Day has been marked by a high–profile ceremony that includes the presentation of the ITU World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to distinguished laureates for their contribution towards building an inclusive and more equitable Information Society.
This year, the awards focus on eminent personalities for their work in providing ICT opportunities for persons with disabilities, the theme of the celebrations for 2008. Also receiving honors today were Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt's first Lady, President and Founder of the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement and Andrea Saks, coordinator of the Internet Governance Forum's Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability.
Past laureates have included Mozilla Corporation, First Lady of the Dominican Republic Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez, Professor Dr. Mark L. Krivocheev of the Radio Research Institute in Moscow, Professor Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank, and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.
About the DAISY Consortium
DAISY denotes the Digital Accessible Information System. The DAISY Standard (officially ANSI/NISO z39.86 Specifications for the Digital Talking Book) has revolutionized the reading experience for people unable to read print due to a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive, or learning disability. Formed in 1996 by like–minded organizations and companies around the world, today the DAISY Consortium consists of nearly 70 non–profit organizations representing 35 different countries and more than 20 for–profit companies which provide products and services to meet the needs of the DAISY community. These organizations are working together to develop and promote international standards and technologies which enable equal access to information and knowledge by all people with print disabilities and which also benefit the wider community. More information about the DAISY Consortium and the DAISY Standard is available at
http://www.daisy.org/
About the International Telecommunication Union
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies. As the global focal point for governments and the private sector, ITU's role in helping the world communicate spans three core sectors: radiocommunicatiosn, standardization, and development. ITU also organizes TELECOM events and was the lead organizing agency of the World Summit on the Information Society. ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its membership includes 191 Members States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates.
For more information, visit www.itu.int.
Source: http://www.prweb.com
Back to TopFree education for disabled people
Ranchi, May 16: Disabled people can avail of education up to Class
X in all government schools of the state.
The ambitious arrangements would be part of an "inclusive education
system" sponsored by the Centre.
The scheme would be implemented with the help of NGOs. First, a team of
experts including doctors, psychologists, special therapists, teachers
and parents would conduct a multi–disciplinary assessment of the
disabled children.
"The first step is to assess the disability of the concerned child.
Then, we would study their needs, whether they require braille books or
need to learn the sign language, among others," said Diwakar, the
distance education director of Jharkhand Education Project Council
(JEPC).
Students would also be given transport allowance, hostel expenditure and
can avail an escort.
The department would also work towards creating a barrier–free
environment in schools.
J.B. Tubid, the state HRD secretary, who today scrutinised the proposals
submitted by around 80 NGOs, directed representatives to chalk out
proposals.
"NGOs have the expertise in community–based rehabilitation. The JEPC
has pegged around 50,000 students currently enrolled in schools," said
Tubid.
Around 3 per cent of our population comes under some kind of disability
or the other. Sources said that under the inclusive education system
children in the age groups of six and 18 would be targeted.
But battling infrastructure issues would be a hurdle for the department.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com
Back to TopCPI plea in HC over disqualification of disabled medicos
Hyderabad, May 15: CPI Andhra Pradesh Council Secretary K Narayana
today sent a telegram to the High Court requesting that it be treated as
a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the issue of disqualification of
disabled medical students in the MBBS course.
In the telegram, he submitted that according to media report, the
admission of 20 disabled students to the MBBS course had been cancelled.
The cancellation had taken place after the students completed one–year
of course, following a ''direction'' from the Medical Council of India.
''Why these 20 disabled students should suffer for the mistake of NTR
Health University,'' he contended and submitted that the MCI's behaviour
was ''inhuman and against the principles of natural justice.''
Source: http://www.siasat.com
Back to TopTechnology lends a helping hand to disabled people
New Delhi: The Jaipur blasts have left many people maimed for life, but there is some hope in sight. A new technology, offered by companies like Touch Bionics makes it possible for people to be fitted with artificial limbs that can perform many functions akin to a human limb.
Says Malvika Iyer, "I was thirteen. I found this defused bomb near my house. I was playing with it. It exploded and I lost my hands."
Malvika Iyer did survive and how 95 per cent in her school exams, the highest in Tamil Nadu, admission to Delhi's St Stephens college and glowing accolades in the media.
For six years, Malvika challenged life with an artificial limb. Yet, something was missing.
"There were still things I couldn't do like tying my hair or picking up a plate. That hurt, more so because I was trying so hard to be normal," she recalls.
Source: http://www.ibnlive.com
Back to TopCourt pulls up bank for 'cheating' a disabled people
MUMBAI: In a rare instance, a sessions court has upheld an order of a magistrate court to initiate prosecution against a nationalised bank as a corporate body, saying that the company had intention to cheat its customer.
Bhuleshwar–based businessman Jayant Kanani, 51, had moved court alleging that officials of the Union Bank of India (UBI) cheated him by forging documents.
On April 17, 1994, Karnani had written to the manager of a Bandra branch of the bank, P H Mistry, requesting her for permanent limit of his account saying that he was willing to deposit Rs5 lakh as security and give a blank stamp paper of Rs5000 (as was asked by the bank) "with an understanding that it should not be used".
However, in 2000, Kanani was caught unawares when he received a notice from the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) on a suit filed by UBI for a sum of over Rs17 lakh. He was then just recovering from a major accident which had damaged his hip bones.
"Four years after submitting the stamp paper, I realised that all the documents that I submitted had been tampered with to prove before the DRT that my office in Bhuleshwar is mortgaged with the bank. I was in great shock as I did not anticipate that a nationalised bank would cheat me," said Kanani.
The typed letter submitted by Kanani to the bank had an "added hand–written line" saying that he was willing to deposit the title deeds of his Bhuleshwar office. Also, the blank stamp paper was converted into a memorandum of mortgage, allegedly notarised by the bank officials.
The recovery suit pending in DRT, Kanani filed a complaint to prosecute Mistry before the magistrate court at Ballard Pier which passed an order in his favour. This order was upheld by the Bombay high court.
Last year, the magistrate had held that the bank can be added as an accused in the case as the offence was committed for its benefit. The magistrate also sent a notice to the bank. Mistry is already in the dock as an accused.
UBI then moved a revision application before the sessions court on the ground that the bank cannot be held liable for an employee's actions, but it was rejected on February 8.
Additional sessions judge S N Sardesai, while upholding the lower court order against UBI, observed that the methods adopted by the bank is "unwarranted" and it "leads to an inference of ulterior motive and mens rea (intention) on the part of the officers of the bank and ultimately the bank".
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com
Back to TopCivil Services (main) Examination, 2007, Results Declared
Based on the results of the written part of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2007 held by the Union Public Service Commission in October–November, 2007 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March–May, 2008, a total number of 734 candidates have been recommended for appointment which include 286 General (including 12 disabled candidates), 266 Other Backward Classes (including 5 disabled candidates), 128 Scheduled Castes (including 5 disabled candidate) and 54 Scheduled Tribes candidates.
Appointment to the various Services will be made according to the number of vacancies available subject to the final decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court / Hon'ble High Court / Hon'ble C.A.Ts. on the S.L.Ps. / R.As/ W.Ps./O.As. pending therein. The number of vacancies reported by the Government for the Indian Administrative Service is 111 (56 General, 28 Other Backward Classes, 18 Scheduled Castes and 9 Scheduled Tribes); for the Indian Foreign Service is 20 (10 General, 5 Other Backward Classes, 4 Scheduled Castes and 1 Scheduled Tribe); for the Indian Police Service is 103 (51 General, 29 Other Backward Classes, 17 Scheduled Castes and 6 Scheduled Tribes); for the Central Services Group 'A' is 458 (239 General, 119 Other Backward Classes, 67 Scheduled Castes and 33 Scheduled Tribes) and for Central Services Group 'B' is 42 ( 26 General, 9 Other Backward Classes, 3 Scheduled Castes and 4 Scheduled Tribes). This includes 22 vacancies for disabled candidates.
The list of candidates recommended for appointment has been drawn up in compliance of the judgement dated 20.03.2008 of the Hon'ble High Court at Madras in WP No.37196 of 2007 and related batch matters, wherein the Hon'ble High Court has inter alia declared Rule 16(2) of the Rules of the Civil Services Examinations null and void and given specific directions on the preparation of merit list. A Special Leave Petition has been filed by the Union of India in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India against the above said judgment of the Hon'ble Madras High Court vide Diary No.14370/08 dated 13.05.2008 (SLP No.13571–72/08 dated 16.5.2008) and therefore this result is provisionally being declared in compliance of the judgment of the Hon'ble Madras High Court and the finality of the same would be subject to the result of the above said Special Leave Petition and / or application for stay filed by the Union of India against the said judgement before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
UPSC has a "Facilitation Counter" near Examination Hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitments on the working days during working hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543.
Result will be available on the U.P.S.C. website i.e. http//www.upsc.gov.in and also on PIB website http://pib.nic.in. However, marks on the website will be available after 15 days from the date of declaration of results.
Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp
Back to Top10–month–old boy is second polio victim in Delhi
New Delhi: Despite being vaccinated, a 10–month–old boy in Delhi was on Sunday found to have contracted polio, nearly two months after the capital reported India's first case of the wild polio virus known as P1.
According to Delhi health ministry sources, the baby–boy from a slum in Okhla in south Delhi was found infected with the P3 polio virus.
"The baby has been detected with the less virulent form of virus. This is Delhi's second case of polio in 2008. We are worried," a senior ministry official told IANS.
He said the fresh victim, identified as Azad, is son of a rickshaw puller. "The kid has also received four doses of polio drops."
Authorities said the new case had again brought the spotlight on Delhi. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit recently said the "city will be polio free soon".
"We had carried out a special round of the polio immunisation programme in the recent past and hope to see some results. The worrying point is that the national capital continues to report fresh polio cases," the official added.
Authorities said they were investigating Azad's case. They said efforts would be made to find out whether the baby had contracted the infection elsewhere.
The baby who was detected in March to be suffering from polio had migrated from Bihar.
Till April 25, India has reported 203 cases of polio cases. Of these, Bihar reported 157 cases and Uttar Pradesh 40.
Besides Delhi, Orissa, West Bengal and Haryana have reported polio cases during the last four months.
Source: http://sify.com, 5th May
Back to TopAT&T launches iPhone plan for disabled people
It sure took AT&T a while to realize that people who are deaf have a hard time using their devices, but luckily their new Text Accessibility Plan directly addresses that issue.
The plan targets people who have a speech or hearing impairment, and is available exclusively for the iPhone.
Customers who sign up for the plan will receive unlimited text messaging, web browsing, and e–mail. No phone minutes are included, but the plan has a pay–per–use fee of 40 cents per minute. In addition, AT&T offers a Mobile Magnifier and Mobile Speak options to help people see and hear better on the go, respectively. The catch? Only people with "qualifying disabilities" will, well, qualify.
Back to Top
15.6 lakh blind people in UP
Delhi, Andhra Close Behind With 15.5L And 10L Cases Respectively
New Delhi: Nearly 4% of Assam's populations are blind people. UP with 15.6 lakh blind has the highest number of sight–disadvantaged persons in India followed by Delhi at 15.5 lakh, Andhra Pradesh at 10 lakh, West Bengal with 9.5 lakh, Karnataka has 9.3 lakh blind and Maharashtra has 9.1 lakh such people.
According to the health ministry's latest figures, other states like Orissa have 5.13 lakh blind people, Madhya Pradesh 7 lakh, Bihar 6.46 lakh, and Haryana 3.98 lakh. As far as prevalence is concerned, after Assam, 2.24% of Andhra Pradesh's population is visually disadvantaged. Officials say the figures are very high when compared to the national blindness prevalence rate of 1.1%.
As far as the number of cataract surgeries conducted are concerned, Gujarat tops the list with 6.4 lakh surgeries. It is followed by Maharashtra (6.14 lakh), Andhra (4.93 lakh), UP (4.75 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (3.52 lakh). Being home to the world's largest number of blind people at 12 million, government has now decided to upgrade the National Blindness Control Programme. The ministry has sought Rs 1,550 crore under the 11th Plan for the programme as against a meagre Rs 450 crore allotted during the 10th Plan. Of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind , over 12 million are from India and health minister A Ramadoss says almost 75% of these are cases of avoidable blindness.
NGOs and health ministry officials posted in district and sub–district hospitals have now been told to screen all those living in rural areas for a range of eye diseases, including glaucoma, trachoma, corneal injuries and diabetic retinopathy. Till now, they were mostly screened for just cataract. Financial incentives are also being introduced to get more NGOs to come forward in the fight against blindness. NGOs working to control blindness in tribal and rural belts are being given a one–time grant of Rs 25 lakh to improve their infrastructure, services and for capacity building.
VITAL STATS
BLIND PEOPLE IN INDIA
12m
PREVALENCE RATE OF BLINDNESS IN INDIA
1.1%
OF 12m, THE % OF CHILDREN SUFFERING DUE TO CORNEAL DISORDERS 26% (3m) OPTOMETRISTS IN INDIA
8,000
REQUIRED OPTOMETRISTS
40,000
ANNUAL REQUIREMENT OF EYE DONATIONS
2.5 lakh
NO. OF EYE BANKS IN INDIA
109
ANNUAL COLLECTION OF CORNEAS BY THESE BANKS
25,000
WASTAGE FROM COLLECTED CORNEAS
30%
CORNEAL TRANSPLANTS DONE EVERY YEAR
10,000
OPTHALMOLGISTS IN INDIA
12,000
Source: Times of India, 2 May, Bangalore
Back to TopPolio cases highest in India
NEW DELHI: India continues to have the world's highest number of polio cases this year, with the disease having disabled more children till April than it did during the same period in 2007.
According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, India has recorded 196 polio cases till April 22. In comparison, three other countries where polio is still endemic Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan have together recorded recorded 123 cases.
GPEI data also shows that till April 22, 2007, India had 34 cases of polio in comparison to this year's 196. According to Union health ministry data however, India till April 25 has 203 polio cases four caused by the P1 strain and 199 infected with the P3 strain.
Interestingly, 201 of the 203 children infected by polio had received the polio vaccine either during polio immunization rounds or in the routine immunization.
"The children who got polio despite multiple doses, did not get enough number of doses to develop adequate protection to polio virus," a health ministry official said. According to experts, children living in areas with poor environmental sanitation and high population density, like the endemic districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, need higher doses of polio vaccine to be adequately protected against the virus as they are more frequently exposed to polio virus under these circumstances.
Also, intestinal infections and diarrhoea are common in children living in unhygienic and crowded areas, which affect the vaccine uptake. Therefore, a few children, despite taking multiple doses of polio vaccine remain unprotected and get polio.
Incidents were recently reported in Bihar and UP where villagers boycotted the "pulse polio" drives, refusing administration of the vaccine to their infants in order to draw attention to the absence of roads, electricity, drinking water and schools in their area.
A health ministry official added: "Parents who refuse their children polio drops are not only putting their kids at risk, but also those living in the vicinity. The missed children then are at risk of becoming a host to the polio virus. As long as polio virus transmission continues in any part of the country, there is a constant risk of unprotected kids getting the infection. These parents don't see polio as a threat and fail to realise that polio can only be prevented. It cannot be cured."
Health ministry officials say most of the cases recorded this year are the tail end of the polio outbreak that occurred in India in 2007, 864 children compared to 676 in 2006.
"The cases recorded from January to March are from last year's outbreak. Fresh infections usually occur in UP from July and in Bihar from August, after the flood waters have receded. Bihar also saw the worst floods in the last 30 years in August, which badly hit the immunisation rounds," officials added.
Bihar reported 193 fresh cases of the crippling disease in 2007. This year, the count is already up at 157, one P1 case and 156 P3. On the other hand, UP has not recorded a single P1 infection compared to 40 P3 cases. The ministry has now identified 72 blocks in Bihar as high risk. In 2007, 90% of P1 cases were found in these blocks.
The polio eradication programme has been focusing on eradicating the P1 strain while keeping P3 under check. P1 is the most dangerous polio virus as it can travel long distances.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Back to TopSoftware for blind people makes school easy
Last year, Austin Pin to's preparation for her Class 11 exams was an uphill effort. Visually impaired, even getting to the chapter he needed was a painstaking scroll through pages of notes.
This year, a software for visually impaired students will allow her to reach the chapter with the mere click of a mouse. The lesson will be then read out in a human or synthetic voice via a headset or speakers. The digital player for the software can be downloaded for free or through a pen drive. The system has been christened DAISY – Digitally Accessible Information System.
The Xavier's Re source Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) is creating 20 book titles through the system in subjects like economics, psychology, sociology, history, political science and foundation course for Classes 11 and 12 in the arts stream. Commerce books on subjects like organisation of commerce and secretarial practice will follow. All these will benefit thousands of visually challenged college students across Maharashtra. "Students can access and navigate through the lessons just like with a textbook, which will be available on CD," said Professor Sam Taraporevala, XRCVC director.
Currently visually impaired , students listen to notes in either the Word or Notepad formats. Now, all student will have to do is to punch in the page or chapter number that they need and listen to a synthetic voice via a headset or speakers.
"Software currently in use is tedious and time consuming. Visually challenged students can use the digital format to quickly reach different pages or even skip chapters. Studying will be faster now," said 18–yearold Austin.
That's not all. The Delhi chapter of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) will be ready in June with a similar format for National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) books, recorded with human voice, which will benefit 2 lakh visually challenged students across India from the Central Board for Secondary Education.
While NAB was lucky to get the e–copy of textbooks from NCERT, Taraporevala said it's a daunting task to get publishers to e–format their books due to copyright issues. Only Sheth Publishers parted with the e–formats.
"We would like to take up more tasks for college and university books once publishers are forthcoming. We are even prepared to build in safeguards to protect publisher's interests," Taraporevala said.
Source: Hindustan Times, 9th May
Back to TopBlind woman alleges attempt to rape
New Delhi, 6 May: A rickshaw–puller allegedly tried to rape a 24–year–old blind woman in Timarpur area of north Delhi on Monday evening. The victim had come to North Campus to visit a friend and had engaged the accused rickshaw–puller outside Mall Road Metro station. The accused beat the victim and robbed her of her documents and mobile phone. He is reported to be absconding. A case of robbery and attempt to rape has been registered at Timarpur police station.
The police said the victim, who is staying in a hostel in Dwarka left her hostel in the evening to meet some of her friend on DU campus. She took the Metro and got down at Mall Road Metro station. The victim's friend also spoke to the rickshaw–puller and directed him about the route.
''Sensing that the victim is all alone and blind , the rickshaw–puller took her to another route. The girl objected, since the rickshaw was taking too long to reach campus. He assured her that he is following the correct route,'' added an officer.
The accused then reportedly took her to a secluded place where he tried to rape her. When the victim objected, she was reportedly beaten up by the accused and she started bleeding. Some passersby came to her rescue when they heard her cries. She narrated the entire incident to them after which the passersby reportedly beat up the rickshaw–puller. They then asked him to drop the victim at DU campus, the police informed.
Though the girl hesitated, she went along. On covering some distance, the rickshaw–puller ran away after robbing her of her documents and mobile phone. He dumped the victim near Timarpur.
There another rickhsaw–puller offered help and took her to New Usmanpur. The girl narrated the incident to some the people who informed the police. She was taken to GTB Hospital where a medical test was done.
Devesh Srivastava, DCP (north), said: ''We have registered a case and investigation are in progress.'' The cops are scanning the call details and the mobile of the victim has been put under surveillance. Some of the rickshaw–pullers of the area have been picked up for questioning.
In another case, a 32–year–old man tried to rape a 7–year–old girl in Moti Nagar in west Delhi late on Sunday night. The accused, Umesh Kumar (32), who works as a driver has been arrested and a case has been registered.
The police said that the victim had gone to watch television at Umesh's house, who lives in her neighbourhood. The accused tried to rape her, but she managed to escape.
Source: Times of India, 6th May
Back to TopSPECIAL WORKSHOPS
Aptech Limited recently concluded workshops in graphic designing for children who are hearing and/or speech impaired . The workshops were carried out with the help of artists from Mauritius, Seychelles, Costa Rica and Philippines, in association with organisations such as Hope Foundation, Swati and Lepra India Trust. Pramod Khera, CEO and managing director, Aptech Ltd, stated: "We have been organising several training sessions for these children so as to show them the various career options that lie ahead of them."
Back to TopEvening of dance for a cause
Bangalore: Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled People, which has been functioning in nine rented facilities, plans to move to a 'disabled–friendly' building at HSR Layout.
In order to raise funds, the trust in association with dancercouple Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran, has organized an evening of classical and fusion dance, 'Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya – From darkness to light', at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on May 11, at 6.30 pm.
Managing trustee of Samarthanam Mahantesh G K on Monday said proceeds from the show will go for construction of the facility. The two–hour extravaganza will be presented by the Rasika Dance Ensemble along with Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran. The show will feature classical and creative styles of dance.
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled was founded in 1997 by three visually–impaired graduates, Mahantesh, Paul Muddha and Nagesh, to provide higher education to visually and physically disabled people.
Source: Times of India, Bangalore, 6th May
Back to TopIs Delhi blind–friendly?
New York has got its first blind governor but can Delhi follow with a blind chief minister?
According to the health ministry's latest figures, the capital has the country's highest number of visually–impaired people (15.5 lakh) after UP.
Delhi has indeed become a more navigable place for visually–impaired in the last decade. But is this infrastructure good enough to facilitate a blind CM to perform as well (or not) as any other?
A CM's life involves a lot of reading. Wouldn't it be a logistic nightmare to transcribe everything into Braille? "Braille is not the only option," says Prashant Ranjan Verma, project manager at the National Association for the Blind, who is visually–disabled himself.
Softwares convert printed documents to e–text that can be heard with the help of the screen reading soft ware. "A totally blind per son can handle e–mails," says net–savvy Verma.
Indeed, Delhi currently has highly–qualified blind people working as programmers and HR executives in MNCs (a CM needs lesser qualifications). And the metro, with its blind–friendly technology, is one of the best things to have happened. "But what about electric poles in the middle of footpaths?" complains Verma. but CMs don't have to walk on footpaths now, do they?
Source: Hindustan Times, 3 May, Delhi Edition
Back to TopMicrosoft, DAISY Make Reading Easier for People With Print Disabilities
REDMOND, Wash., May 7 – Microsoft Corp. today joined with industry and advocacy group leaders worldwide to launch new software that will make it easier for anyone to create documents and content that will be accessible for blind and print–disabled individuals. The new "Save as DAISY XML" add–in, designed for Microsoft Office Word 2007, Word 2003 and Word XP, will allow users to save Open XML–based text files into DAISY XML, the foundation of the globally accepted DAISY Standard for reading and publishing navigable multimedia content (http://www.daisy.org).
The "Save as DAISY XML" add–in was created through an open source project with Microsoft, Sonata Software Ltd. and the Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) Consortium and can be downloaded by Microsoft Office Word users for free at http://www.openxmlcommunity.org/daisy.
Also released today is the newest version of the DAISY Pipeline, a free downloadable transformation suite that supports the seamless conversion of DAISY XML into DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) format. Together these technologies provide a comprehensive solution for converting text documents into accessible formats for people with print disabilities. Users can download the DAISY Pipeline from the DAISY Project page at http://www.daisy.org/projects/pipeline/. Information about other technologies that can convert DAISY XML into DAISY DTB format and other products that support the DAISY standard is available on the DAISY Web site at http://www.daisy.org/tools/index.shtml.
Groups such as the World Health Organization and the World Blind Union estimate that more than 160 million people throughout the world are either blind or have a significant impairment to their vision. This number does not even begin to address the additional hundreds of millions of people with physical, developmental, or learning disabilities who can benefit from the rich applications of DAISY.
Global access to the "Save as DAISY XML" add–in for Microsoft Office Word is an important step forward for people with print disabilities around the world, including those in developing countries, because it will support access to information contained within billions of Microsoft Office Word documents, helping them to lead more independent and productive lives.
"This new 'Save as DAISY XML' functionality for Microsoft Word has the potential to break down barriers for millions of visually impaired individuals around the world and enhance the experience for virtually anyone who loves to read," said Chris Capossela, senior vice president of the Information Worker Product Management Group at Microsoft. "We are proud of our collaboration with the DAISY Consortium and Sonata Software to deliver valuable benefits for people with a visual impairment. This tool will make it easier for anyone –– from a child writing to his or her grandparent, to a government agency providing vital information to its citizens –– to create accessible content."
"Microsoft's initiative to put 'Save as DAISY XML' in Microsoft Word is the first step to bring fully accessible content to people who are blind or who have a print disability. We know that much of the information in documents today is created with Microsoft Word; this new add–in provides an unprecedented leap forward in the worldwide effort to make information available to all," said George Kerscher, secretary general of the DAISY Consortium.
"As an advocate of technologies that help blind and low–vision individuals, and as chair of an organization managing a digital library based on DAISY XML formats, I can attest that this 'Save as DAISY XML' plug–in for Microsoft Office Word is a landmark development," said Dominique Burger of BrailleNet. "The ability to generate DAISY XML content from within an application used by millions of people around the world is welcome news for all who have been pushing for such a broad–reaching solution."
This new tool also presents the opportunity for organizations and independent software vendors to consider ways in which the technology may be employed to meet the needs of those not yet served by text–only or audio–only formats. Corporations such as insurance agencies, healthcare providers and companies that publish training manuals require a method to deliver fully accessible documents to their customers and employees with different needs. For these organizations, the "Save as DAISY XML" add–in is the breakthrough they have been waiting for.
"Because it's part of a familiar tool, this plug–in for Microsoft Office Word significantly reduces the friction for content creators in producing accessible digital material," said Andrew Savikas, director of publishing technology at O'Reilly Media Inc. "Support for DAISY, along with the emerging ePub standard, is an easy way for software makers to build accessibility into their products, and I hope to see others follow suit."
"Technologies that address the specific challenges that universities and public institutions face in providing books and publications for those who cannot read standard print are in great demand," said Sam Ogami, assistive technology expert for the California State University Office of the Chancellor. "Functionality like the new 'Save as DAISY XML' feature within Microsoft Office Word could greatly streamline the production –– and reduce the expense –– of delivering powerful and accessible content to those who need it."
"Libraries today are often ill–equipped to provide content for people with print disabilities, and the methods they have at their disposal are antiquated," said Helen Brazier, a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). "But things are beginning to change, and state–of–the–art technology like the 'Save as DAISY XML' add–in and the new DAISY Pipeline are making it easy and cost–effective for libraries to essentially level the information playing field for people with disabilities and do things they never before could have imagined."
The open source nature of the Open XML to DAISY XML translation project enables technologists to utilize the source code and other resources for their own applications. As Open XML adoption continues to expand across the software industry for use on various platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac OS and the Palm OS, solution providers interested in creating their own Open XML to DAISY XML translators can reference information available through the SourceForge open source project site at http://sourceforge.net/projects/openxml–daisy.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Source: SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
http://newsblaze.com
UNCRPD becomes effective from May 3
Despite of many laws, disabled people in India are not treated with dignity and equality. But it might soon change. The UNCRPD is here to protect and to ensure that disabled persons get a chance to fully utilise their fundamental freedoms.
IN ORDER to promote, to protect and to ensure complete and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by disabled persons and to promote respect for their inherent dignity, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is coming in force from May 3.
Minister of social justice and empowerment, Meira Kumar, has written to all the states for their notice on the provisions of the UN convention. She has urged the state governments and the local bodies to take appropriate action for consciousness–raising, convenience, personal mobility, security, freedom – from exploitation, violence and abuse, ability to live independently, education, health, rehabilitation, employment and ensuring adequate standard of living for disabled persons.
India was among the first countries, which signed and ratified the convention. In doing so, India reaffirmed its commitment towards the international policy framework, with respect to persons with disabilities.
India already has the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and certain other laws and certain other institution– in building measures for disabled persons. Apart from this, the national policy for disabled people, adopted in 2006, has also comprehensively spelled out the goals towards the complete acknowledgment and exercise of all human rights of the physically challenged persons. It also aims at promoting a broad commitment to accessibility, autonomy and equality of opportunity for them.
These measures would stand India in good stead in discharging its accountability to the international community under the UNCRPD.
Source: http://www.merinews.com
Back to TopDGCA lays down strict norms to help disabled people
NEW DELHI: The aviation ministry has approved the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) new rules allowing guiding humans with disability and/or reduced mobility to fly.
As a result, the new civil aviation requirement (CAR) that will be effective from this week has done a U–turn on the issue. While it says airlines and airports must provide wheelchairs or other assistive devices free of cost, "airline may levy any charge for human assistance, if required."
Giving reason for this softening of stance, the official said: "Airlines said they can make available assistive devices free of cost but would need to recover the cost of employing people for offering assistance to disabled people."
"Persons with disabilities not holding any certificate shall also be provided necessary assistance... However, cost of such facilities may be borne by passengers requiring them," it says.
Apart from budging on its mandatory free assistance to disabled people, the new CAR lays down very strict rules for airlines.
It has made it mandatory for every airport operator to make appropriate provision including ambulift to enable disabled passengers to embark/disembark aircraft without inconvenience.
Airlines have also been asked not to refuse carrying a disabled passenger. They have also been told not to insist on medical clearance or special forms unless they have information that the passengers either suffers from some contagious disease or would require attention during flight to maintain their health.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Back to TopDirectives to States on persons with disabilities
NEW DELHI: Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar has written to all Chief Ministers bringing to their notice the provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urging suitable action by the administrative bodies in regard to raising awareness, accessibility, personal mobility, and security.
She has also asked the States to ensure freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse, ability to live independently, education, health, rehabilitation, employment and ensuring adequate standard of living for persons with disabilities.
The Convention, which came into effect on Saturday, was evolved after international consensus on the subject. It was signed by India on March 30, 2007. In so doing, India reaffirmed its commitment towards the International Policy Framework in respect of the persons with disabilities.
Subsequently, India was also among the first countries to ratify the Convention on October 1, 2007 and with the 20th ratification happening on April 3, 2008, the Convention came into force one month later. The purpose of the Convention is "to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity."
India has enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995 and certain other laws, and has taken certain other institution–building measures for persons with disabilities.
Also the National Policy for Disabled People, adopted in 2006, comprehensively spelt out the goals towards full acknowledgement and exercise of all human rights of persons with disabilities as well as promoting a broad commitment to accessibility, autonomy and equality of opportunity for them.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050555690900.htm
Back to TopGuide dogs allowed to fly
NEW DELHI: A few days after Bollywood star Rekha was stopped from taking her pet pooch with her onto a plane, the aviation ministry has approved the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) new rules allowing dogs to fly. But don't worry about dogfights in the air. The new rule applies only to those canines guiding humans "with disability and/or reduced mobility".
The DGCA is likely to notify the new civil aviation requirement (CAR) this week, after which it will become immediately effective. "No airline shall refuse to carry persons with disability or reduced mobility and their assistive aids/devices, escorts and guide dogs, including their presence in the cabin. Such persons or their representatives (should) at the time of booking and/or check–in for travel inform the airline of their requirement," the CAR says.
A senior DGCA official said the visually impaired would not need to buy separate tickets for their guide dogs as they could be seated near their feet. "But the dog must be very well trained so that co–passengers don't feel uncomfortable," said the official. Presumably, sleeping dogs will be allowed to fly but not barking ones.
The draft CAR was prepared late last year, when it was first reported in TOI. But it ran into trouble with carriers over a proposal that airlines must provide all assistance to disabled people free of cost.
While most full service carriers do provide such service for free, airlines united to say the government could not dictate their tariff policy. They made it clear to the DGCA that airlines would charge for any extra cost in providing assistance to disabled people.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Back to TopBringing Heritage to disabled people: Qutub walks the ramp, others to follow
New Delhi, May 3: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun a project to make all World Heritage sites in Delhi disabled–friendly.
The move has started with the Qutub Minar, where ASI has constructed access ramps in the complex. The project includes putting up signages, maps and facilities for parking and toilets for disabled people. The changes are in various stages of implementation ? the latter two stand completed.
Work on the project started last December by placing a wooden L–shaped ramp leading to the Ashoka Pillar and at the entrance to the complex. The idea was to make them easily accessible to all. The four ramps are 1,200 mm wide, with a landing of 1,500 mm.
Up next, ASI plans to construct hand railings on each of these ramps at a height of 800–900 mm for safety purposes. The height, though, can well vary and be brought down if necessary, ASI officials say.
ASI director general Anshu Vaisha says, "We thought of making various sites in Delhi accessible to the disabled (and) started with the Qutub since it is relatively easier to implement the changes there."
It wasn't all cakewalk though, for they had to avoid any damage to the monument's beauty under Clause 25 of the Conservation Manual of ASI. D V Sharma, ASI head, Delhi Circle, says: "We have ensured that material used (wooden planks and steel girders) in making the ramps do not create an eyesore. These structures are permanent, yet do not damage the monument."
The total budget for implementing the project at Qutub Minar was pegged at between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh. After Qutub, ASI plans to focus on other World Heritage sites in Delhi such as the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb.
"As part of the first phase we will focus on heritage monuments," ASI Delhi chief Sharma says. "The second phase will include ticketed monuments; and phase–III will have other monuments in Delhi."
No timeline has yet been outlined for this.
The ASI implemented these changes following recommendations from the NGO Svayam, which carried out an access audit at the site. The NGO submitted the report to ASI in October 2007. The ASI subsequently accepted the suggestions.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com
Back to TopA Special Software
"Express yourself," goes the tagline of a mobile network commercial. To this, Arun Mehta, 55, a grey–bearded professor of computer engineering, adds a footnote: especially if you are disabled persons.
"Nobody needs to talk more than children suffering from a disability that prevents them from expressing themselves," he says. For the past few years, Mehta, who teaches at JMIT Radaur in Haryana, has spent his spare time designing software to help people with special abilities use the computer as a communication tool.
His current project is there in his drawing room?a laptop linked to a blue plastic wheel and foot pedals that gamers would be familiar with. Turn the wheel, press the pedals or twist the gear and even a user with little motor control can navigate icons on the computer.
A combination of software would enable him to type simple messages. The system is indigenous but effective and, the most important bit, it costs peanuts. "I used open source software and it is available on the net for anyone to download and use," he says.
The system, to which Mehta hasn't yet given a name, is currently being used at a centre for special children in Hauz Khas. The gaming touch helps make the entire exercise something of an entertainment for the students. One 17–year–old boy with a severe motor disability pushes the joystick to play a simple game of making Santa move on the screen. Soon, he begins to use the wheel and foot pedals to type words. Mehta is currently upgrading the system to enable the boy to surf and chat and thus break the communication barrier.
"My aim is to get children who are so severely disabled that they cannot type on the keyboard to use the computer. It is also important that the machine looks attractive for the child?" says Mehta.
Mehta has the conviction of a true geek that the solution to this problem lies in computers. "What would Stephen Hawking be without his computerised voice?" he asks.
Hawking's name crops up often as Mehta articulates the need to bring special children into the mainstream. "After graduating from IIT in the 1970s, I joined a multinational. I would never have entered the area of disability if Hawking hadn't visited India in 2001," he says. The world's best–known theroretical physicist and author of A Brief History of Time has suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis since his twenties and is now almost completely paralysed. "Hawkings told my friend and IIT batchmate Vickram Crishna that the software code that he uses to communicate is lost and the hardware isn't manufactured any more. If the machine that is today Hawking's only means of communication breaks down, it would be nothing short of a disaster. Crishna contacted me and we promised to develop a back–up software, all the time wondering why he did not turn to American companies," recalls Mehta. He soon found out why?few computer experts were dealing with devices for the specially abled. "This whole area of disability and computers was almost empty," he says. The software for Hawkings, which took four years to write, is available for free on the Net.
"But the right people to be designing software for disabled people are the specially–abled themselves. I now volunteer my services to centers, which teach information technology to disabled people. It is a great joy when a visually–impaired girl or boy or a youngster with any kind of disability creates a new software," he says with quiet satisfaction.
After four decades working with machines, this engineer has finally found his calling with special people.
Arun Mehta, a professor who makes computers accessible to special children, has also designed software for Stephen Hawking
Source: http://www.expressindia.com
Back to TopTrained staff to help disabled people
PURI: HERE some hope for disabled devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple. They would get the help of trained yatri Sahayakas who would conduct them into the temple sanctum sanctorum.
As per the decision taken by the temple administration, disabled persons would be allowed to disembark from their vehicles in front of the temple main gate. Each devotee would be charged Rs 100 for the service, informed Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Chief Administrator of the temple while addressing mediapersons here yesterday. For the purpose, 27 new trained Yatri Sahayakas were inducted into the temple service to assist the pilgrims. They would also act as guides.
In another development, Mohapatra said operation of the new police station for the temple besides deployment of a large number of police personnel and officers would further improve things. The state government had announced to open a new modern a police station for the temple. The temple administration is also trying to get back its 56,000 acres of landed property from the clutches of individuals, who in the course of time, recorded it in their favour, he addded.
Focusing on the ongoing development works in the temple Mahapatra said the reconstruction of the temple kitchen and mahaprasad market (Ananda Bazaar) was progressing steadily. The temple was to get Rs 56 crore under the urban renewal mission for carrying out major works including huge pilgrim shelters in the city.
Mahapatra also announced that temple corpus fund had crossed Rs 100 crore mark this fiscal.
Source: http://www.newindpress.com
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