Accessibility

E-book will help visually impaired children understand the universe

An e-book for children with visual impairments is soon to be available at Apple’s iBook store as a free download on your iPad.

Are novels a waste of time in today’s data-driven world?
■ Reading into religion with Alexis York Lumbard’s Islamic children’s books

Titled Reach for the Stars: Touch, Look, Listen, Learn, the e-book is inspired by a new Hubble Space

Telescope image of the colourful 30 Doradus Nebula – a giant star-forming region.

Delhi's public transport - a hurdle for the disabled (Feature)

Varun Mahato, a 24-year-old visually impaired, boards a bus to hisNoida office every day. His journey is a "struggle" because he often travels standing as the seats reserved for those with disability remain occupied by the abled who often callously refuse to offer him a seat.
Mahato ends up missing his bus on various occasions, as other commuters at bus stops nudge and push, making it impossible for him to climb on.Mahato is not alone in his despair.

Access to books for the blind needs to be improved

Today, 134 years after her birth, Helen Keller still shines as model of what a literate mind can offer. Though deafblind, Keller graduated with honours from Radcliffe, wrote numerous books, travelled the world and fought for women’s and workers’ rights. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her dedication to the betterment of humanity.

De-jargoned: Talking ATMs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 21 May notified all scheduled commercial banks to deploy only “talking ATMs” starting 1 July and also provide a plan to convert all the existing ATMs into talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

Auditory devices installed at 57 traffic signals: police

The Delhi Police on Wednesday informed the igh Court that they had installed auditory devices at 57 traffic signals and identified 35 more traffic intersections for installation of the signals to facilitate smooth road crossing by the visually impaired.

Railways to launch 20-coach Braille train shortly

will launch a new train with all its coaches equipped with Braille-embedded signages on berths, toilets, wash basins and doors as part of the 100-day agenda being finalised by the national transporter.

Flagging off train to Katra, long awaited for clearance from Railway Commissioner for Safety, too is on the agenda.

Launching of the 20-coach train with Braille signages, a first of its kind, for facilitating visually-impaired passengers, will be part of the Railway's 100-day agenda to be submitted to PMO shortly, a senior Railway Ministry official said today.

Braille isn't 'embattled' – we're on the cusp of a golden age for blind people

Far from heralding the death of a great medium, technology may be ushering in a new era of access and greater independence Imagine a situation where you walk into your favourite restaurant and ask for the menu, only to be told it isn't available. Chances are it wouldn't stay your favourite for very long.

As a braillist – someone who uses braille – the dream for me is when the opposite happens. A small number of chain restaurants offer menus in braille; sometimes, they're even up to date.