Enabling the Physically Challenged

A few weeks ago, TechShare India 2008 was held in Delhi, where prominent
speakers put forward their vision on the role IT can play for the physically or
visually challenged. The event was an eye opener for everyone, because it truly
demonstrated how IT can help people with impairments lead their lives
successfully. It made everyone present at the forum realize that a lot has
changed since the days of Braille and Talking Libraries. With so much happening,
we've decided to give you a peak into some of the key products and technologies
that were showcased there.

The technological developments in this field mean that such people can now
pursue tasks of their interest, be it education, entertainment or even
employment, with more ease. In fact there are many organizations that have taken
the initiative to provide employment to physically and visually challenged
people; and hence have also pushed the IT industry to come up with more
innovative and simpler solutions. Such developments have opened up large
opportunities for physically and visually challenged people to choose and
explore. This enthusiasm and urge to be independent by people with disabilities
has prompted solution makers to develop solutions that are specifically meant
for them and enable them to lead independent lives.

Before we talk about the technology and solutions on offer, we must first
salute the sheer determination and will power of these people, as it's easy to
build a solution but to utilize it to the optimum level and push it to such an
extreme, where it needs to be upgraded on a constant level, proves that these
people can by no means be taken lightly. They want to lead a quality life and
they know how to get it. They are not going to get bogged down with limitations
of any kind.

Innovative products

We saw a plethora of solutions available for people with disabilities. These
included everything from hardware gadgets, software, or even websites. Here's a
glimpse of what's available:

IBM's Easy Web Browsing: People with visual impairment can surf the web using
this solution, wherein the content will be read out loud. It even allows a user
to customize the size and color of the content as per convenience.

BarrierBreak Tech's Flash based e-Learning framework: This helps
organizations provide online training to people with disabilities.

Braille Mitra: A solution where an entire book in any Indian language can be
stored in the display and pronounced line by line. It's being used in many
Indian libraries, where people with visual impairments can go and 'read' their
favorite books.

Shree-lipi Braille: A software that converts text to Braille text sequences.
Once it's been converted, one can easily take an imprint on a Braille reader
like Braille Mitra. There's also a Braille printer that enables those with
visual impairment to take a print out of their favorite book or even publish
their own work.

JAWS: There are several screen readers like JAWS that convert text to speech
and also read it out for you.

ORCA: An open source application that contains features like a speech
synthesizer that supports Braille and a text magnifier. These devices provide
visually impaired people the clarity they need to read and understand.

DOLPHIN Cicero: This solution enables you to turn your printed document into
speech. Just put the printed document on a scanner and the software will
translate it into speech, or into a large print.

Mobile Phone Magic: Mobile phones are used by everyone these days. However,
due to their tiny screen sizes, it becomes difficult for visually impaired
people to read them. Now, there is software available that enables them to
understand the menu and listen to dial, missed and received calls along with
voice prompt based navigation. Some of this software includes Mobilespeak,
TALKS, and Call History.

Developments in Hardware

Besides the software domain, there are developments happening in hardware as
well, by both international and Indian organizations So whether it's a Palm top
that allows visually impaired people a mobile environment with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
and FM radio along with a Word Processor, File Manager, Web Browser, Email, MSN
compatible messenger, or an image magnifier that comes with a 4.3” inch wide LCD
and has the capability to zoom up to 28X the image size. So a visually impaired
person can read the morning newspaper with an Image Magnifier as comfortably as
any one else.

What's more, people with physical disabilities can also drive all around
their house with the help of a remote control operated wheel chair called
Ostrich Pristine, which runs on battery.

There's also a home automation solution to move the furniture at the click of a
button. So, if a person can't reach up to the top of a stack, they can instead
press a button and move the stack downwards.

TechShare 2008 was indeed an eye opener with so many products and
technologies. What was even more enthralling was the fact that many product
demos were given by people who themselves suffered from some form of disability
and had worked closely to develop the device.

We have come a long way from Braille solutions and are sure that in the
coming years even more solutions would be made available in this domain.

Along with IT, all of us have a major role to play to ensure that the best of
technology is delivered and newer technological breakthroughs are achieved to
tap the un-quantified potential of these people.