TN to provide talking computers to 500 blind students

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Computing will be soon made easy for blind students as department for differently-abled will be providing JAWS talking software to 500 students across the state, according to secretary of differently abled Kannegi Packianathan and state commissioner of the department P R Sampath.

Speaking on the sidelines of the visit of Social Welfare Minister Selvi Ramajayam at the Mathuram Narayanan Centre, Sathyamoorthy School Campus here on Saturday, the officials told Express the software, which costs Rs 20,000, would be given along with the laptop to 500 students.

The JAWS Talking Software will converts the laptop into a talking computer enabling the visually impaired to learn and operate computers independently.

Since the blind cannot see the monitor screen nor can they use the mouse, they need to use the keyboard for all functions with the help of the JAWS Talking Software. The software will empower the blind to read and write, operate computers, surf the Internet, prepare reports, analyze projects, edit or prepare documents.

Meanwhile, the minister visited Madhuram Narayanan Centre for exceptional children. The minister hailed the center, established in 1989 as a model center to provide early intervention services to children with mental retardation and associated disabilities through Upanayan Early Intervention Programme.

The minister appreciated the parents for their determination and perseverance to bring their children to the Centre for early intervention services.

She also spoke highly of the work of the special educators and the work done by the Madhuram Narayanan Centre in early intervention. The Minister also distributed sweets to the children and parents.