Print-disabled Prahsant Ranjan Verma, demonstrates the new assistive technologies now available at the World Bank's New Delhi Office for differently abled persons to access the internet

New Delhi, December 2, 2008: Marking the International Day of the Disabled 2008, the World Bank's New Delhi office launched the new assistive technologies that are now available at its Public Information Centre for the differently-abled to access the internet

“For most people, technology makes life easier. For people with disabilities, however, it makes the impossible possible,” said Prahsant Ranjan Verma, as he demonstrated the new software.

Verma, Manager of the Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities at Delhi University, is print-disabled and has difficulty in reading the computer screen. He has in the past created a simple software solution for the visually impaired to print cheques, a system that is now widely used across the country.

Talking software

The demonstration at the World Bank's Public Information Center in New Delhi showed potential users how the new ‘talking’ software reads aloud from the computer screen for the benefit of the visually impaired.  

For those with low vision, special software magnifies text and gives them the option to change background colors for an easier read.  For the physically disabled, a special computer mouse is available that has extra large buttons which can be used either by the hands or the feet. 

“All these devices play a very important role in the lives of disabled people,” said Zameer Dhale, Advocacy Officer with Sense International India in New Delhi, who has been both deaf and blind since he was born.

Zameer Dhale, Advocacy Officer with Sense International India in New Delhi uses the new ‘talking’ software that reads aloud from the computer screen for the visually impaired.

Using his left hand to read Braille from a computer screen while ‘speaking’ in sign language with his right, Dhale told the audience through Sachin Rizal, his interpreter, “We too want to live like normal people. We want to use the technological advancements of today’s world to become more independent.”

Plea to make technology cheaper

One of the lucky few to have access to the expensive Braille keyboard, Dhale is passionate about making these new technologies widely available at much cheaper costs so that more people with disabilities can access them.  

“We need to develop Braille and other modern technologies in our country so that they become as commonplace as TVs and fridges.” This can only be done if these are manufactured in India itself, he said.

“People from the grassroots also need these new technologies so that they can gain their freedom and break the barriers that keep them behind. They too must be given an opportunity to improve their quality of life as soon as possible. Then and only then will we be able to say that we have given them equal opportunities and rights so that they can participate fully in society.”

Dhale has a burning desire to develop new assistive technologies to help people who have multi-sensory impairments like him. He dreams of going to study software engineering in America to make this dream a reality.

The World Bank's Philip O'Keefe talks about the main findings of the Bank's recent report on disability.

But fulfilling this life long aspiration requires phenomenal grit and determination on the part of a physically challenged person like him.

Dhale must first clear all the normal school leaving exams before he can enroll in university. This has only recently been made possible on account of the new technologies that allow people with impairments to write the exam on a computer.

Displaying a fierce tenacity, Dhale has been travelling back each year to his old alma mater – the Hellen Keller Institute in Mumbai - to appear for the Class 10 Board exams.  

Each year he sits for one subject through the National Open School ; this year he will appear for the last of these exams. But he still has a number of challenges ahead; he must first pass the Class 12 school –leaving exams before he can enter university.

Nevertheless, thirty-two year old Dhale has enormous patience. It’s been a long journey to get where he has reached. He now has a good job, lives in Delhi with his wife and five-month old daughter, and travels independently around the world. No doubt, with his indomitable grit and determination he will be able to make his dream come true - for his own fulfillment and for the betterment of lives of the many others who are differently-abled.

World Bank Report

During the event, the World Bank's Philip O'Keefe also shared the main findings of the Bank's recent report :"People with Disability in India: From Commitments to Outcomes".

The entire proceedings were translated simultaneously into sign language by Surbhi Gupta, who has imbibed the language from a very early age as both her parents are hearing impaired.