India's blind could get help from talking computers
Monday, 16 December 2002, 20:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
CHENNAI: A technological revolution for India's blind was unveiled in the form of talking computers that were distributed as prizes to players at the World Cup for Blind cricketers here. The organisers, the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC), and Ability Foundation, an NGO helping the blind find employment, got together at a city hotel to demonstrate software that could change the lives of the blind. American company Freedom Sales has brought this software to India and its international sales director, Rick Cappiello, was in Chennai showing off the product even as Pakistan lifted the World Cup for the Blind here Saturday. Known as JAWS, Jobs Access With Speech, the software can help the blind get jobs. George Abraham, WBCC member from India, said, "In India there are many hugely talented blind people. But their talents are mostly untapped". Cappiello said: "With the right technology, the visually challenged can do everything that a person who can see can do. Only the opportunity needs to be made available." The software can be used in any Window-based personal computer. An electronic Braille display helps the blind to even use PCs without a voice. Several people, including journalists who have used the software, vouched for it. Abraham told his audience, "I can read an entire newspaper, books online, CD -ROMs, e-mails, without reader help". OPENbook, another software provided by the same company, helps the blind scan and read printed material. It also helps edit and manage text. "The blind in India no longer need to limit themselves to making candles and cane furniture or sing songs," says one blind Indian cricketer who works as a music teacher in a Delhi government school. Karishma Enterprises will market the product in India. The company's chief, Ram Agarwal, is himself visually challenged. He said in India sales were low which is why the product was still costly. "The government of India charges 30 percent customs duty on the product, which adds to the cost." Ability officials, cricketers, NGOs urged the government to provide tax relief to the product as it could bring a revolution in rehabilitating the blind if brought within the purchasing capacity of the needy. Ability officials urged that the government buy the software and install it in all offices, making it easily and universally available. "It will increase employment opportunities for the blind in every government department," the organisers said.
Source: IANS
siliconindia