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Kalam launches software for the blind
Tuesday, 18 March 2003, 20:30 IST
HYDERABAD: For the visually impaired, information in Telugu and Hindi is just a click away.
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Saturday launched software for the visually handicapped that makes this possible.
"Reading Aid for Blind", developed by the International Institute for Information Technology (IIIT), enhances the reading capability of the visually handicapped.
With the help of this software, text on-screen can be transformed to speech. The computer then reads this out to the user. Initially created for English readers, the software has been adapted for Hindi and Telugu.
The project, funded by the Satyam Computers, has seen the establishment of a language technology centre at a cost of 
10 million at IIIT for the development of Indian languages.
The President presented the software to Dinesh Kushal, a visually impaired software developer of the Indian Association of Blind.
An ecstatic, Kushal described the software as a boon.
"The information from Indian languages will now be accessible. It has opened new vistas for people like me," he said.
Kalam lauded the efforts of the IIIT in applying Information Technology for the benefit of the visually impaired.
"It is doing excellent work in research and development of software technology for its societal, industrial, financial and scientific applications," he said.
Recalling his interaction with the physically and mentally challenged children on various occasions, the president said these children also had the urge to pursue studies and work.
"You have to provide solutions to their problems using IT to develop audio books, talking websites, voice interface and other devices", he said.
The development of this aid cost 1.5 million. It is likely to be extended to the other Indian languages in two years.
Source: IANS
10 million at IIIT for the development of Indian languages.
The President presented the software to Dinesh Kushal, a visually impaired software developer of the Indian Association of Blind.
An ecstatic, Kushal described the software as a boon.
"The information from Indian languages will now be accessible. It has opened new vistas for people like me," he said.
Kalam lauded the efforts of the IIIT in applying Information Technology for the benefit of the visually impaired.
"It is doing excellent work in research and development of software technology for its societal, industrial, financial and scientific applications," he said.
Recalling his interaction with the physically and mentally challenged children on various occasions, the president said these children also had the urge to pursue studies and work.
"You have to provide solutions to their problems using IT to develop audio books, talking websites, voice interface and other devices", he said.
The development of this aid cost 1.5 million. It is likely to be extended to the other Indian languages in two years.
Source: IANS