Centre for Internet and Society

Report on eSpeak Tamil Computing with NVDA Training Workshop

nirmita — 2015-06-04T13:44:25Z

The training programme was held from May 25 to 29, 2015 at Differently Abled Children Section, District Central Library, Coimbatore. Twenty-one delegates attended.

Inauguration

The eSpeak Tamil Computing with NVDA Training workshop planned for 5 days (25^th May 2015 to 29^th May 2015) extensively for visually challenged school, college students and teachers was inaugurated on 25^th May 2015 morning by Mr. J. Karthikeyan. District Library Officer, Coimbatore. Mr. S. Shankar Subbiah, Assistive Technology Consultant and representative of National Association for Blind, New Delhi and The Centre for Internet & Society, Bangalore, the sponsors of the workshop gave the Welcome talk. He also explained the purpose of the Workshop with the need for Tamil computing becoming necessity among the visually challenged in the present educational and employment context. It is most required with the Government distributing Cost Free Laptops preloaded with NVDA and the equipment and technology cost becoming Nil. The Librarian of the District Central Library gave the Vote of thanks, thanking the sponsors, the District Library Officer for the opportunity to train visually challenged members of the Library on Tamil with NVDA, and placed a request to include the staff of the Children's section as they would be able to train the school going Children further.

The well-equipped and accessible section of the District Central Library, Coimbatore served as the venue for training. In order to facilitate the participants with more concentrated and time efforts, High Tea and Lunch were also served for the Training days at the Centre. There were volunteers to assist the Trainees and they served enthusiastically. Many of the students used their Laptops and those who did not have a laptop were given access through the computers available in the section. The participant trainees numbering to 21 including the section staff were from Coimbatore district and nearby districts like Tiruppur, and Erode of Tamilnadu state.

The workshop began with Resource persons, Mr. S. Shankar Subbiah and Mr. R. Jaganathan, a low vision employee of the Library and a resource export continuing with the training activities on their expertise areas.

Activities conducted during the training period:

Day 1 - 25/05/2015

Forenoon

The whole group of Trainees were installed or updated with the latest versions of NVDA

A general overview on Operating System, Applications available in Windows, various File formats, Screen Readers and other Assistive Technology like OCR, Scan and Read applications available for Visually Challenged were dealt with

The session was conducted in an interactive manner to understand and assess the computer skills of the participant trainees.

Afternoon

The major and sub menus of NVDA were explained to the trainees after few of them were new to that.

The Trainees were given hands on training by making them to change the settings, configurations by themselves and checking out the changes.

The trainees were given comprehensive passages to be read in NVDA to get accustomed to the voice modulation and asked questions based on it

Day 2 - 26/05/2015

Forenoon

Tamil keyboard layout mapping of Microsoft Windows for default Unicode Tamil Font typing were introduced to the trainees by the Resource person.

The whole group of Trainees were trained to identify the keys for vowels and consonants of Tamil language, type and practice by themselves with the volunteers supporting them, when they had difficulties.

Afternoon

The Trainees were trained to identify the keys for combinations of vowels and combinations with two letter, three letter, four letter word units given for typing and practicing by themselves as they picked up faster.

A play and learn session was organized to spell out connected words for typing practice.

To make the training workshop more live, the participants also were requested and exhibited their Tamil native talents and knowledge.

Day 3 - 27/05/2015

Forenoon

The Trainees were trained by giving large sets of five and bigger letter units of words to type and practice as a revision.

It was followed up by smaller phrases and then sentences to be typed by the Trainees.

The trainees at this point of time, introduced short cuts for navigation within the text, spell check, cut, copy, paste commands

Afternoon

The trainees were made to listen to the Tamil text paragraphs with the help of NVDA screen-reader supported by eSpeak voice

The trainees were suggested to type out the phrases listened on a separate document

Day 4 - 28/05/2015

Forenoon

The trainees were introduced to toggle language between English and Tamil for bilingual content typing and practice.

The trainees were trained on file operations like simple formatting, folder creation, saving the file in Unicode format to required folder and retrieval of the particular file. Similarly, for navigating, opening the file saved and continuing editing.

Afternoon

As a reinforcement on the learning process, a Quiz Programme was conducted to the Trainees on Microsoft Tamil layout and key strokes required for different Tamil words, phrases.

Introduction to HTML, various tags and formatting that can be done, Forms and fields, Email Clients and Browsers were given to the Trainees. Usage of Tamil in Internet, and the browsers supporting the Unicode formatted content and the NVDA development efforts to support Internet browsing was discussed.

The trainees were given HTML contents like Newspapers formatted to navigate and read for practice

The students were given downloaded online application Forms (as Internet was restricted to few computers in the library) and explained form navigation. They were assessed for their short cut using

Day 5 - 29/05/2015

Forenoon

Introduction on DAISY books and knowledge sharing on the available resources to read a DAISY book was done.

Demonstration on using Android based tablets and mobile phones to access the Tamil DAISY books given to the Trainees using Bookshare.org. The Trainees were also given information to subscribe for Bookshare membership and Book search and retrieval.

The trainees were also given information on different groups operating on Internet like Access India, Valluvan Paarvai online, the benefits and encouraged their participation for enriching their knowledge and practicing their language content writing, and development skills.

The Guest also had an interactive session assessing the participants Tamil computing skills by questions and also introduced them to one another Tamil keyboard Layout 'Anthaga Kavi' developed by visually challenged community. He recommended them to try that after practicing the present learned Microsoft layout for more easier typing experience.

The Valedictory Function

The eSpeak Tamil Computing with NVDA Training workshop conducted for 5 days (25^th May 2015 to 29^th May 2015) had a brief Valedictory function presided by Mr. G. Venkateshan, State Bank of India Zonal Office, Coimbatore and an experienced visually challenged person on Tamil computing who delivered the valedictory address and stressed on Tamil computing skills necessity for higher education and employment opportunities. The District Library Officer, Mr. J. Karthikeyan also felicitated the gathering and distributed the Certificates to the participants. Vote of thanks to CIS, NAB and the organizers was given by Mr. Muthu Venkatasubramanian, Co-ordinator for the Differently Abled Children section and a visually challenged participant. The training felt much useful and requested to extend in batches for more persons ended up with the National Anthem and Lunch served for all.

Feedback

Mr. Ashok, a student of Final year graduation felt how easy it was to learn Tamil typing and he is looking forward to eagerly participate in groups and though he had subscribed to Bookshare, he had not read Tamil books. But, now he is confident to download and read Tamil content.

Mr. S. Sabareesh, Student from Loyola College, Chennai felt that his vacation to his native town gave him a good learning experience on Tamil computing and various other concepts, shortcuts for efficiently using NVDA.

Mr. Jeeyawolhok, a Government School Teacher present felt that now it is necessity of visually challenged persons to work with Computers even in the field of Teaching profession and this Training gave him more confident as being a Tamil teacher.

Ms. Loganayaki, an English Literature student felt that she did not think Tamil typing was so easy before and now would read large volume of e-contents of Tamil novels available in the Library as well as practice her Tamil writing skills on Computer.

Mrs. Saraswathi, the mother of Mr. Shankar, 10^th Grade student and participant trainee gave a feedback that she was worried on how she had to read the whole Tamil books for her son. Reading it as e-content through NVDA and eSpeak voice becoming familiar to her son made her job easy. And, he could also practice and revise his lessons like any other child by typing the contents in Tamil as others do by writing. She thanked the organizers for the workshop and wanted one such run for school children with visual impairments from 8^th standard onwards conducted by school or at least in the Library regularly. This would help them in their higher standards and education for being more independent and not to depend on readers for their academic requirements.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-espeak-tamil-computing-with-nvda-training-workshop

Report on eSpeak Marathi Training at MJ College, Jalgaon

nirmita — 2015-07-22T01:22:40Z

The Centre for Internet & Society conducted a workshop for reading and writing using eSpeak with NVDA at Dreamy Eyes Resource Centre in Jalgaon on June 23 and 24, 2015.


Participants seen practicing on their computers during the workshop

The two days event comprised of the following trainings:

Introduction to NVDA.
Advantages of NVDA.
Configuration of NVDA.
Installation of Espeak for Indian Languages [Developer Version 1.31]
Configuration of Espeak synthesiser.
Configuration of Language options in Control Pannel.
Introduction to Marathi Keyboard.
Typing short words and sentences.
Reading and Comprehension in Marathi.
Knowledge about Assistive devices.

Most of the participants were college going students, who were very excited to start reading and writing in Marathi. They expressed deep gratitude for empowering them in their mother tongue.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-espeak-marathi-training-at-mj-college

Report on 30 Days Summer Course on Basic Computer Competencies and Language Proficiency

nirmita — 2015-07-12T13:55:05Z

The month long summer course was held at Karna Vidya Technology Centre, Thiru-Vi-Ka, Industrial Estate, Chennai and was attended by 20 delegates.

With the support of Centre for Internet Society (CIS), Karna Vidya Technology Centre (KVTC) has conducted 30 days Summer Course on Basic Computer Competencies and Language Proficiency to introduce, strengthen and enhance the students on Computer Operations and language proficiency.

Inauguration

On the first of May 2015, the Summer course was inaugurated by Mrs. Sumathi, a Tamil poet cum volunteer. The function started off with a melodious invocation by KVTC trainee. The manager, KVTC, welcomed the invitees and participants. The course trainers outsketched the details of the course. It was followed by the chief guest’s address. The guest emphasized on the the need for professionalism and commitment. She inaugurated the course and conveyed her best wishes to all the trainees. With the vote of Thanks by one of the trainers from KVTC, the function came to an end.

Sessions:
The sessions are designed as:
02 00 pm – 04 00 pm Computers
04 10 pm – 06 00 pm English communication Skills.
Between 04 00 pm – 04 10 pm Tea Break

Session on Computers with NVDA

The trainees are given a thorough understanding of NVDA, it’s installation process, commands, Typing Speed and Accuracy, Desktop orientation, Menu Bars, Dialogue boxes, editing and alignment in MS. Word. They were also given training on Tamil Typing using NVDA. Online Bookshare Library was also introduced to them and some have got registered in the Library.

English Language proficiency :

Students had a valuable training on English Communication Skills. They were taught basic grammar and given various practical exercises on Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Home assignments are also given and assessed.

Evaluation: The students were assessed at regular intervals and guided for their betterment. Special focus was given to slow learners.

Benefits:
This Summer Course was very benefitial, Since it focused and enabled three different categories of students namely:
Students pursuing Secondary (10th Std),
Higher Secondary (12th Std) and
Higher education (Graduates)
All the 20 students learnt the basics of NVDA and English only from KVTC. At the end of the course, they felt happy, as they were able to breathe the air of independent learning using screen readers. They have assured us that they would minimize their visit to reading centres and make use of E texts, Audio books and Online Bookshare Library for their studies. The trainees were given a folder comprising:

Certificate
A Book on English communications both in print and audio CD.

Valedictory Function

The valedictory function was graced by Mr. Pankesh and Ms. Abhirami from Paypal. We also had a special invitee Mr. Ramakrishnan Accessibility Consultant, IBM, Bangalore. The function began with the invocation and the manager, KVTC, welcomed the gathering. Then, Mr. Ramakrishnan highlighted on the various avenues available for the visually impaired candidates. The guests congratulated every trainee and wished them the best for their future endeavours. They also handed over the Study Kit for every trainee. The function ended with National anthem.

Thanks to Supporters

Karna Vidya Technology Centre would like to submit it’s sincere gratitude to all it’s supporters for being with all the endeavours of the centre at all stages. Especially, The Summer Course on Basic Computer Competencies and Language Proficiency, conducted from 1st May 2015 to 31st May 2015 had seen best outcome from the student participants. The support and guidance of DR. Homiyar Ji, CEO, NAB Delhi, The cooperation of centre for Internet Society, Bangalore - our funding partner for this course and our parent club Rotary club of Madras Coromandel enabled us to conduct the course smoothly and effectively.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-30-days-summer-course-on-basic-computer-competencies-and-language-proficiency

Report on 15 days Training in Basic Computing with use of NVDA and eSpeak in Oriya

nirmita — 2015-05-10T13:41:20Z

This programme was the first of its kind in the state of Orissa. The participants were mostly completely new to using computers and were also completely from the vernacular background. This training demonstrates that many more such regional level trainings should be organized in order to reach the untouched population of persons with blindness, and expose them to the advantages of today’s technology.

Newspaper Report

Post News Network

Bhubaneswar, April 16: Several visually impaired citizens living in the state Thursday got a reason to celebrate. The Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped (VRCH), an outfit of the Central government, launched a training programme on the day for a bunch of men and women suffering from visual imparity. They would be imparted training on e-learning software, which can assist them in getting acquainted with the different aspects of computer operations.

The 15-day e-learning programme witnessed coming together of several physically challenged citizens of diverse age groups, from different parts of the state. The training is being provided by the government unit free of cost. The software, which will help the blind read texts on a computer, is known as Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA). It helps in bridging the chasm between die visually impaired people and the technology It facilitates communication between them through a» audio device. The software reads out text on the screen to the differently able, who are unable to read screen texts due to vision difficulties.
“Although the software came into existence in 2006 but it gained popularity slowly. The main advantage of this software is its diversity. It has now inculcated several other Indian languages, including Oriya into it. So now people from different ethnic groups can access texts in their mother tongue.

Moreover, the software is free for its users and can be downloaded easily from the Internet. Users of this software can now read computer files, use social networking sites and can even read all available resources on cyberspace,” said Mrutunjay Kumar, Member of All India Association for Blind who will impart teaching on the software to the blind students. Kumar himself suffers from visual imparity. Similar e-learning software, however, already existed to help the blind people use computers, but its high annual subscription amount and limited language options narrowed the usage of such software.

NVDA being subscription free and diverse is expected to cater to the larger interests of the visually impaired citizens of the state and the country Pokhariput-based VRCH on whose campus the training programme is being held was overwhelmed by the response it garnered from the public. Officials of the institution also assured all possible support for the participants. “The main aim of the training-programme is to give them a platform to strengthen their skills. The whole programme is totally free. No participation fees will be levied on the trainees. Moreover, special arrangements have been made for free accommodation and food for the trainees so that they can focus only on training,” said Ram Kishore Sharma, assistant director, VRCH.

Earlier in the day, many outgoing trainees, who completed some skill development training at the institution, were felicitated by the institution. Ashok Behera, deputy director, State Directorate of Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, was present during the occasion as chief guest and felicitated several students who had successfully completed their training at the institution.

Venue: Institute of Social Work and Research, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Dates: 16th – 29th April 2015
No. of Participants: 30
Trainer: Mritunjay Kumar.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-training-in-basic-computing-with-use-of-nvda-and-e-speak-in-oriya

Report on 15 days Training in Basic Computing with use of NVDA and eSpeak in Hindi

nirmita — 2015-04-10T02:33:56Z

The highlight of the session was that the students on completion of the 15 days training, were able to write passages in Hindi. All the participants were able to do basic computing, such as opening files, saving them in different locations, surfing the Internet, etc.

The university officials appreciated the work of the students as they showed a resolve to learn Hindi typing. This would enable them to write their own examination papers using eSpeak Hindi. This is a historic step, as till now the students had to depend upon their scribes to write their exams.

Some documents of the final day's work of the students are listed below:

Story

एक जंगल में एक खरगोश और एक कछूआ रहता था। वे दोनो अच्छे दोस्त थे। पह खरगोस बहुत घमंडी था। वह हमेसा कछूए को यह कहता रहता था कि तुम तो बहुत धीरे चलते हो और मै तो बहुत तेज चलता हूं। और कछूए को निचा दिखाने के लिए खरगोश ने कहा कि चलो हम रेस लगाते हैं।और एक दिन सुबह वे दोनो रेस के लिए एक पेड़ के निचे मिलते हैं।और रेस सुरु करते हैं।जैसा की हम सभी जानते हैं कि खरगोस बहुत तेज दौड़ता है तो वह तेजी से दौड़ के आगे निकल जाता है और कछूआ पिछे रह जाता है।जब खरगोश पिछे देखता है तो ऊसे बहूत दूर तक कछूआ दिखाई नही देता है।तो खरगोश सोचता है कि कुछ देर तक आराम कर लेता हूं।तो खरगोस एक पेड़ के निचे आराम के लिए बैठ जाता है।और उसे नींद आ जाती है और वो सो जाता है। और कछूआ धीरे धीरे चल कर खरगोस से आगे निकल जाता है और धीरे घीरे कर के अपने लक्ष्य तक पहूंच जाता है।और खरगोस सोता रह जाता है।और जब उसकी नींद खुलती है तो खरगोस देखता है कि कछूआ रेस के आखरी लक्ष्य तक पहूंच चुका है।और इस तरह कछूआ धीरे चल कर भी रेस जीत जाता है और खरगोस तेज चल कर भी हार जाता है।

सीख-नीरंतर प्रयास करने वाले को सफलता जरूर मिलती है।

अतुलित भलधामम्, हेम शैला भजेहम, दनुज वन किसानम ज्ञान नमामि द्रिगड़्यम वह शक्ति हमे दो दयानिधे, कर्तव्य मार्ग पर डट जावेँ पर सेवा, पर उपकार मेँ हम, जग जिवन सफल बन जावेँ हम दीन दुखी निवलोँ विकलो के सेवक बन सँताप हरेँ जो हैँ अटके भूले बटके, उनको तारेँ खुद तर जावेँ थल दँभ द्वश पाखड झूठ अन्याय से निश दिन दूर रहे जीवन हो शुद्ध, सरल अपना, निश प्रेम शुधारल बरसावेँ निज आन मान मर्यादा का प्रभु, ध्यान रहे अभिमान रहे

जिस देश धरा पर जन्म लिया, बलिदान उसी पर हो जावे सकल गुढ़ा निदानम, वानराढ़ाम धीषम रघुपति प्रिय भक्तम वातजातम नमामी

The Training in Brief (As Provided by the Trainer)

Day 1: Keyboard orientation and introduction to computers
Day 2: Typing
Day 3: Hindi Typing
Day 4: Introduction to Desktop
Day 5: Introduction to Dialogue Boxes and Menus
Day 6: Saving Documents and Creating Folders
Day 7: Content Editing
Day 8: Opening and Closing Programs
Day 9: Concepts of Internet
Day 10: Google Search, Gmail Account, Book Share and Websites
Day 11: Tying Paras in Hindi
Day 12: More Tying Exercises
Day 13 - 15: Revision Exercises

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-training-in-basic-computing-with-nvda-and-e-speak-in-hindi

Report on 15 days Training in Basic Computing with use of NVDA and eSpeak in Gujarati

nirmita — 2015-05-10T11:23:42Z

This programme was aimed at high school students who were completely new to computers. The aim of the workshop was to empower the students to at least read and write using eSpeak Gujarati with NVDA within the 15 day duration.

Venue: Shree Navchetan Andhajan Mandal Madhapar - Kachchh.
Dates: April 2 to April 16, 2015
Trainer: Mahendra Chudasma.
Language: Gujarati
Number of Participants: 15

Most of the participants achieved the target and were also able to manage simple tasks like opening and saving documents in Word and also had the opportunity of gaining knowledge of the use of Android phones. Our thanks to Mahendra for ensuring that the participants came out with flying colours at the end of the workshop.

Training Schedule

April 2

Introduction
Information about Computer and its Parts
Keyboard orientation. Function keys, alphabets keys and number keys and number pad
About desktop, start menu, notification and taskbar
2: how to press 2 keys windows plus M. and alt plus F4

April 3

How to start Microsoft Office and Word
How to type words and how to read it. And modify delete and add alphabets and word
Modify spellings

April 4

Practice on topics covered in the first two days
How to start narrator without screen reader and how to install screen reader
How to read NVDA's commands by its help

April 5

How to formatting file by title, bold, increase and decrees fonts, make underline and justified and save it
How to make folder on desktop and how to search and copy file in the documents and paste in folder

April 8

Information about notification
How to set clock by notification and control panel
Difference between file and folder
How to play song with media player, VLC and Winamp
How to search in file and folders in your computer
Run Windows

April 9

Internet's information
Internet short commands
Read news in English, Gujarati, and Hindi newspaper through online

April 10

How to short navigate in internet by h for heading, t for table, l for list and insert f7 for links
About check box, combo box, radio button and button
How to create mail, and read it and compose mail and send it. With bcc and cc

April 11

About job related sites and banks sites
Searching through Google

April 12

How to download
Some general questions on computer practice

April 13

Practice for last days and some questions answers
Information about some messengers Facebook and Skype with its demonstration
How to create account and how to use these

April 14

Practice of old topics
Information about scanner with its demonstration
And demonstration with EnAble India EYE Tool and EnAble India Spelling Tool

April 15

Revision for complete course of NVDA of 15 days

April 16

Information about Android on students demand

List of Students for Gujarati Training

Garva Ajay Valjibhai
Chauhan Jayendrasinh Popatsinh
Meriya Pravin Karamshibhai
Gadhvi Hari Karsanbhai
Jat Razak Haronbhai
Koli Mavji Ramjibhai
Ganava Mital Panglabhai
Chawda Bharti Popatbhai
Maheswari Sunita Sumarbhai
Goyal Dipin Ravjibhai
Jeda Hisan Samirbhai
Patel Ritesh Bipinbhai
Raval Bhumi Nitinbhai
Mokariya Shardaben Girishbhai
Jain Alpaben Manojbhai

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-training-in-basic-computing-with-use-of-nvda-e-speak-gujarati

Report on 15 days Training in Basic Computing at RNKS

nirmita — 2015-07-21T15:16:55Z

The NVDA team organized a 15 days training in basic computing at Rajasthan Natrahin Kalyan Sansthan (RNKS) in Jaipur. The training programme held from June 1 - 15, 2015 was attended by 12 delegates. Mrityunjay Kumar was the trainer. The basic training for computers was targeted for school going children of RNKS.

The aim was to enable them to at least start using a computer as a Tool for Reading and Writing in Hindi. Along with knowledge of Basic computer Operations, the participants were also taught about the use of Bookshare Online Library, Use of Android and other Assistive Devices.

Report from Master Trainer: Mritunjay Kumar

Day 1: We have learnt Keyboard orientation and Introduction to computer, like what is a computer, where do you use a computer and advantages of computer.
Day 2: We have learnt Typing and introduction of screen reader, what screen reader is and how many types of screen reader. Also discussed about input and output devices.
Day 3: We have played small game about typing, how do we use fingers do typing? Also explained desktop and taskbar concept.
Day 4: We have learnt about software and types of software, There are three types of software, also explained menu, what is menu? What types of menu?
Day 5: We have learnt Opening closing and saving the document, editing concept have also been discussed.
Day 6: We have learnt how to cutting, copying and pasting the text in documents. Also we discussed Hindi alphabet.
Day 8: We have done Hindi typing and we have written small story in Hindi language.
Day 9: We have learnt File folder management and explain concept of dialog box, what is dialog box, types of dialog box.
Day 10: We learnt find and replace feature using Microsoft word document. Also explained how to create table in Microsoft Word.
Day 11: We have learnt spelling tool.
Day 12: We have discussed brief history of internet, and how will be do Google search. Also we learnt how to open website using NVDA
Day 13: We discussed about book share website, then we have learnt how to open book share website, and how to download books. Also we explain about android.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-15-days-training-in-basic-computing-at-rnks

Report on 5 day TOT for Training in Use of Espeak Kannada with NVDA

nirmita — 2015-10-04T10:34:33Z

A unique programme was organized in partnership with Mitra Jyothi – Bangalore, Enable India – Bangalore and NFB Karnataka. The aim of the programme was to empower the Computer Teacherrs for the blind in the use of Espeak Kannada and apprise them with Modern Teaching Techniques for the Blind.

The training programme was held from September 21 - 25, 2015 at Mithra Jyoti in Bangalore. Fourteen delegates attended the programme. Suresh, Sandesh and Moses from Enable India were the trainers. NFB Karnataka helped in sourcing the participants, Mitra Jyothi hosted the event and the female participants and the trainers were from Enable India.

The workshop started with a round of introductions and expectations from the participants. All the participants expressed various needs, which include the following:

Need to learn to read and write in Kannada.
Need to learn new teaching Techniques.
Need to learn how to make accessible materials for teaching computers.
Need for learning EYE tool and /spelling tools.

The participants were a blend of Sighted and Blind Trainers. The Sighted trainers were very keen in knowing all they could about the new Teaching Techniques and the Screen Readers. They were also excited to know more about Assistive Technology for partially sighted students.

The Blind trainers showed special interest in NVDA and Assistive Technology.

The Session began with an introduction to NVDA and its advantages followed by a detailed presentation by Suresh.

The validation function was conducted by Major A. Singh – CEO Mitra Jyothi.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/report-on-5-day-tot-for-training-in-use-of-espeak-kannada-with-nvda

Reply comments of CIS in the matter of the WIPO draft proposal

praskrishna — 2011-08-22T13:18:38Z

Reply comments of CIS, Daisy Forum of India and Inclusive Planet to the comments filed by Steven J Metaliz in the matter of the WIPO draft proposal.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/publications/Reply-Comments-to-WIPO-draft-proposal

Reading For All

radha — 2011-04-02T14:26:41Z

Right To Read campaign has begun in India to voice the needs of the disabled to gain access to books - an article by Lubna Salim in Kolkata Mirror - Saturday, November 14, 2009

This year marks the beginning of the countrywide Right to Read campaign. As part of this campaign there will be road shows in the four metros and then these will be held in the different cities. Actors Nandita Das and Amir Khan and veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai are supporting the campaign.

The events of the campaign will include presentations, debates as well as demonstrations. There will be book reading sessions along with stalls whereby different accessibility tools shall be demonstrated. After the success of the first road show of this campaign in Loyola College, Chennai, the second one road was held in Kolkata. The venue for the Kolkata chapter of the Right To Read campaign was NUJS.

“As a visually impaired person I can identify with the goals of the campaign. I have suffered a lot having no access to books and other reading materials. Lack of access tends to make you so dependent on others,” says Moiz Tundawala, 5th year law student, NUJS.

Innumerable Indians are not able to read various printed materials due to their disabilities. Today there are technologies which can help such people to read print, once the materials are converted into alternate formats. These formats could be big print, audio and Braille or any sort of electronic format.

“Just try imagining life without books, without anything to read! Making reading materials available in accessible formats may go a long way in improving the life conditions of the print disabled and also help to make our society more accommodative, more inclusive. It is unfair to deprive some people of such a basic entitlement for no fault of theirs,” adds Moiz.

Our Indian Constitution guarantees its citizens “Right to read” as one fundamental right. But the copyright system does not allow us to convert books into accessible formats for the advantage of people who have print impairment. This leads to the creation of a “book famine”.

The international conventions to which India happens to be a party require it to revise its copyright laws. This will enable persons with the disabilities to avail of information plus material on the same basis as they are available to the others.

Moiz says, “People must endorse this campaign because it will give some people who have to struggle everyday for print access some hope that there are others who understand their concerns and think the same way as they do.”

Link to the original article

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/news/reading-for-all

Rahul Cherian, founder of NGO Inclusive Planet, passes away

praskrishna — 2013-03-09T06:57:15Z

Rahul Cherian, who worked extensively on disability law and rights in India, and other issues like intellectual property (IP) law and technology law passed away on Thursday while on on a family holiday in Goa according to this report in the Hindu.

The article was published in FirstPost on February 8, 2013. See the report in the Hindu.

Rahul’s death was caused to a severe infection, according to the report.

Cherian, a graduate of National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore had co-founded the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability and Policy in October 2009 along. The NGO seeks to provide help to public bodies and others groups that are working on laws and policies for persons with disabilities.

Rahul also founded inclusiveplanet.com the world’s largest social network for persons with visual impairment, and he was also a fellow of the Centre for Internet and Society in Bangalore.

His untimely death has seen many friends come out on Twitter and Facebook to remember him.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/news/first-post-feb-8-2013-rahul-cherian-founder-of-ngo-inclusive-planet-passes-away

Rahul Cherian passes away

praskrishna — 2013-02-10T04:27:13Z

Rahul Cherian, an expert and policy activist in disability law, intellectual property (IP) law and technology law passed away on Thursday. He was 39.

This was published in the Hindu on February 8, 2013.

Rahul passed away while on a family holiday in Goa. The 1998 National Law University Bangalore graduate succumbed to an infection after several days in intensive care. Together with fellow Law alumnus Sachin Malhan, had Cherian co-founded Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability and Policy in October 2009, as an NGO supporting stakeholders and public bodies about laws and policies affecting persons with disabilities.

As head of policy initiatives at Inclusive Planet, he was involved in drafting the Treaty for the Visually Impaired currently being agreed upon by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Geneva.

Rahul Cherian was also a fellow at the Bangalore-based Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), a legal expert on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s panel on disability laws, and an advisor to several government initiatives related to the disability sector.

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/news/the-hindu-february-8-2013-rahul-cherian-passes-away

R2R-Kolkata 1

radha — 2009-11-23T05:39:07Z

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/home-images/right-to-read-campaign-kolkata/DSC01390.jpg

R2R-Chennai (Report)

radha — 2011-08-22T13:10:46Z

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/accessibility/publications/R2R%20Chennai%20-%20Report.pdf

R2R- Kolkata 3

radha — 2009-11-23T05:41:28Z

For more details visit https://cis-india.org/home-images/right-to-read-campaign-kolkata/DSC01419.jpg