Government to set up online Braille library

PTI | Mar 15, 2012, 08.39PM IST

Ref: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/careers/education/Govt-to-s...

NEW DELHI: Using technology to empower the physically challenged, government has set up anOnline Braille Library to make books and reading material in digital format accessible tovisually impaired persons. 

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik tabled a report on steps taken by government to use technology to benefit and empower people suffering from various forms of disabilities. 

"An Online Braille Library, established by National Institute for Visually Handicapped (NIVH) Dehradun, has been launched on January 4, 2012," Wasnik told the House. 

The Library has books which can be accessed in real time from any location and an amount of Rs 47.50 lakh has been spent on this project so far, he added. 

For assisting visually challenged people in locating their books, Wasnik said, "An online catalogue of Braille books has been hosted by NIVH which enables visually-impaired persons to ascertain the location and availability of a desired Braille book, without going to Braille libraries and presses." 

An amount of Rs 17 lakh has been spent on this project so far and NIVH has also launched an Online Directory of Services for the Visually Impaired Persons. 

Wasnik further added that his Ministry has made its website accessible to persons with disabilities which was launched by it in January 2010 at a cost of Rs 20.09 lakh. 

"Other central ministries were also requested to similarly make their own websites, as well as of their associated organizations, accessible to persons with disabilities," he said.