Most of us have experienced examination jitters at some point in our lives. Mugging up lessons at the last minute, worrying about making it to the center on time, ensuring all documents and stationery are in order et cetera. Ever wondered what makes a visually impaired student nervous before the exam?
Scribes. Arranging for a writer who can jot down answers on behalf of a blind student, is the biggest battle they are up against.
30-year-old Anu Kumari from Ranchi, Jharkhand called the Eyeway Helpdesk a day before her entrance exam for a Post-Graduation (PG) course in Delhi University. Her exam was scheduled for the next evening at a center located in a remote area. As it is, the new socially distanced norm of living makes it hard to convince someone to accompany a blind student. Nonetheless the Eyeway counselor tried her best and managed to find Anu a scribe.
Having lost all hope of enrolling for PG this year, Anu was relieved when she could appear for her scheduled test. Interacting further with her, the counselor learned that Anu had to take a break from regular studies due to an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Gradual sight loss made it difficult for her to attend school or college, and she was unaware of assistive technology or any other facilities available for blind people in today’s digital era.
Eyeway also discovered that she was interested in pursuing a career in computers. Except she didn’t know if it was possible for someone with vision impairment. The Helpdesk counselor apprised Anu of several possibilities and ways in which she could lead an independent life and earn a decent income.
She was redirected to Enable India in Bangalore where she could learn to use computers with the aid of screen reading software, as well as acquire employability training.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Digital India’ initiative in July 2015, with the objective of connecting rural parts of the country and improving digital literacy. Technological innovations enable blind and visually impaired people to participate in mainstream activities of education and employment. So why aren’t individuals, organizations and the state working towards greater inclusion in the post-Covid digital world?
30-year-old Anu Kumari from Ranchi, Jharkhand called the Eyeway Helpdesk a day before her entrance exam for a Post-Graduation (PG) course in Delhi University. Her exam was scheduled for the next evening at a center located in a remote area. As it is, the new socially distanced norm of living makes it hard to convince someone to accompany a blind student. Nonetheless the Eyeway counselor tried her best and managed to find Anu a scribe.
Having lost all hope of enrolling for PG this year, Anu was relieved when she could appear for her scheduled test. Interacting further with her, the counselor learned that Anu had to take a break from regular studies due to an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Gradual sight loss made it difficult for her to attend school or college, and she was unaware of assistive technology or any other facilities available for blind people in today’s digital era.
Eyeway also discovered that she was interested in pursuing a career in computers. Except she didn’t know if it was possible for someone with vision impairment. The Helpdesk counselor apprised Anu of several possibilities and ways in which she could lead an independent life and earn a decent income.
She was redirected to Enable India in Bangalore where she could learn to use computers with the aid of screen reading software, as well as acquire employability training.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Digital India’ initiative in July 2015, with the objective of connecting rural parts of the country and improving digital literacy. Technological innovations enable blind and visually impaired people to participate in mainstream activities of education and employment. So why aren’t individuals, organizations and the state working towards greater inclusion in the post-Covid digital world?
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