Bangalore: In a bid to make information technology more accessible to people with disabilities, the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), India, and Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER), U.S., have organised a two-day Indo-U.S. conference on December 5 and 6, here.

The conference on "Information technology uses and needs for children and adults with disabilities," will act as a forum for both the countries to share information on the progress experienced in IT sectors, with relevance to the people with disabilities as users or employees.

The conference aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being of people with disabilities. "Bangalore being the IT capital of the country, we can explore this sector for the benefit of the disabled. This is an opportunity to look into our Corporate Social Responsibility Act. We will have to take IT to the doorstep of people with disabilities, said L. Govinda Rao, Director, NIMH, India.

Job opportunities

Apart from identifying the needs of people with disabilities and designing special devices that would make information more accessible to them, the speakers said that they would also try to improve the employment opportunities for them.

Anupam Basu, head of the department of computer science and technology, IIT Kharagpur, showcased various new communication tools such as "Shruti," "Sanyog," "Chitrakatha" and "Kathamala." These can be used by persons with disability.

According to him, these tools in Indian languages, which will be launched in India next year, will aid those suffering from neuro-motor disability.

The speakers discussed that in a nation of around 20 million people with disabilities, there is certainly a need for educational institutions to incorporate interdisciplinary research and make devices which are more environmentally-controlled. They said that this would further help maximise independence, productivity and participation among the disabled.

The two-day conference brings together 127 delegates, professionals from Microsoft, IBM, Google, eight State Commissioners and Directors of disabled welfare units.

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