Bangalore: Development of speech engines in Indian languages to make electronic text accessible to the visually challenged, upgradation of software to convert electronic content into Braille in Indian languages, standards for e-text production and production of Braille material and training of visually challenged persons in the broadcast media — these are some of the information technology initiatives that will be taken up by the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) to promote e-accessibility among the visually challenged and those with low vision.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of an Indo-U.S. conference on "Information technology uses and needs for children and adults with disabilities" organised by the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad, along with the Parents Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., Anuradha Mohit, Director, NIVH, said, "At present, the software to convert e-text into Braille output is available only in English, Hindi and Bangla. We will commission research programmes so that it can be developed in at least the 18 official Indian languages and will also work at making it accessible to visually challenged persons in rural areas." This would especially help in bringing out Braille school textbooks faster, of which there is still a dearth in the country, she said.

Broadcasting

The NIVH is developing an ICT-enabled course for visually impaired persons to train them to become radio jockeys, news readers and radio broadcast journalists.

Many of these programmes will be funded by the NIVH.

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