by  S. Kenneth Shishir

Visual impairment changes the way students obtain information about the world in which they grow and function, and limits opportunities to learn through observation of visual elements in the college curriculum and the people around them. This means that in addition to their regular classroom studies, students who are blind or visually impaired need to learn specialised skills from teachers and others who are specially trained to teach these skills, such as certified teachers of visually impaired children and orientation & mobility specialists. The specialised skills visually impaired students must learn include: Technology and computer proficiency — using computer & telecommunication equipment and software adapted for visually impaired people; Literacy — reading and writing with Braille, large print, optical devices or training in effective use of available vision.

Although many programmes provide the specialised instruction needed by students who are visually impaired, there is much room for improvement. Too many visually impaired students discontinue their studies without having mastered the skills or knowledge essential for further education, gainful employment and independent living at home and in their communities.

Students with visual impairment have unique educational needs which are most effectively met using a team approach by professionals, parents and students.

In order to meet their unique needs, students must have specialised services, books and materials in appropriate media (including Braille), as well as specialised equipment and technology to assure equal access to the core and specialised curricula, and to enable them to most effectively compete with their peers in college and ultimately in society.

Dr. I.R.N.Goudar, Visiting Professor and Library Advisor, University Library, University of Mysore, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that providing equal access to all individuals with disabilities is the aim of the University and access involves much more than providing ramps.

He said that Learning Resource Centre for Visually Challenged, a wing of Mysore University Library, has been a boon to the students for learning and gathering information by making these students more independent and reducing their dependence on others.

Assistive Technology includes new age devices and software that provide support to the disabled to overcome their disability and perform their tasks in a normal environment efficiently to compete on a level playing field with their non-disabled peers.

Dr. Goudar said the technology incorporated in the computers at the library enables the visually challenged students to access information pertaining to the subjects of their choice through voice mode and the same could be printed in Braille script.

He said that the Centre was established by the University and experienced faculty who were given training in handling these technologies have been deputed at the Centre to guide the visually challenged students.

In all, 12 computers have been installed at the Centre with special software and gadgets so that students can go through the subjects through voice mode which reads out the text to them or can get the subject printed using software which converts the texts into Braille.

Dr. Goudar said that it is proposed to extend this facility to Maharaja’s College too.

Dr. K.T. Udaya Kiran, a guest faculty at University Fine Arts College, also a well-known vocalist & violinist of the city, explaining about the technologies at the library said that this facility by the University of Mysore is a first of its kind in the entire State and Mysore University has provided an excellent opportunity to the visually challenged to pursue their studies with the subject of their choice as the subjects were limited to them earlier due to non-availability of technology and Braille notes of the subject.

Dr. Udaya Kiran also trains the students in using the gadgets and technologies at the Centre.

Speaking about the facilities, Dr. Udaya Kiran said that technologies such as Assistive Technology with speech output such as SARA, JAWS, Magic Keyboard, ZoomEx Instant Reader, Topaz Desktop Video Magnifier, Prisma Print Magnifier, Braille Box V4 Heavy Duty High Speed Volume Production Affordable Braille Press and other devices are made available to the visually challenged at the Centre.

Elaborating further, Dr. Udaya Kiran said that Text Reading Systems for the Visually Impaired like SARA (Scanning and Reading Appliances) CE, are instant text reading machines which enable a visually challenged person to hear any book. All that a person has to do is to place the book under SARA CE and it reads any letter, book, newspaper or magazine in an Indian accent.

It can be connected to a monitor or TV for viewing by partial or total visually challenged person, the text being read out in Large Print Format and it does not require any computer knowledge.

ZoomEx Instant Reader: It is a text reading system. All one has to do is place the book under Zoom-Ex and press one keystroke. Within seconds, you are reading the magnified text or listening to it as it reads the text.

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) Talking Software: This software when installed to a PC, will read out the texts to the person. It even helps a visually challenged person to access internet with selection of voice such as Indian, UK and US accents. The software converts a normal PC into a Talking PC to enable the blind to operate computers independently including Internet Access.

Topaz Desktop Video Magnifier: This magnifier helps people with low vision accomplish their daily activities leading to independent productive lives and helps them read the texts by magnifying it according to the font size the person requires.

Prisma Print Magnifier: A full colour transportable magnifier that provides a magnification of upto 52 times on a 21 inch screen. Simple to use with fine focus controls and adjustment of magnification with just raising or lowering the camera. It can also be connected to a PC using a TV tuner or VGA converter.

With these technologies introduced at the Centre, visually challenged students can now master the subjects of their choice without depending on others, which is a boon to them. It is now left to the students to fully utilise the facilities provided by the University for their excellence.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles /  by  S. Kenneth Shishir / August 01st, 2013