Month: February 2016

A Talking ATM is a type of automated teller machine (ATM) that provides audible instructions so that persons who cannot read an ATM screen can independently use the machine. The world’s first talking ATM for the blind was an NCR machine unveiled by the Royal Bank of Canada on October 22, 1997 at a bank branch on the corner of Bank Street and Queen Street in Ottawa, Ontario.   Talking ATM in India: Union Bank of India became the first bank to make electronic banking easier for the visually impaired with its “talking” ATM. India’s first “talking” Automated Teller Machine has been inaugurated in Ahmedabad. The ATM by the UBI is the first of its kind for the visually challenged.   According to functionaries of the Blind People’s Association, the users have to plug-in a headphone into the ATM which has a unique voice interface and once it is done the machine guides them into further operations.   The ATM can also be operated by wheel chair-bound persons as well.   Tarak Luhar, visually impaired since birth, was the first to withdraw money from the country’s first ‘Talking ATM’ installed by the Union Bank of India.   The following steps to operate this talking ATM Machine.   COMMON STEPS  

1. Customer inserts the Audio jack.

 

2. The customer is greeted by the ATM with a message "Welcome to State Bank ATM"

 

3. The customer is prompted by the ATM to select the language of his choice. "Press 1 forEnglish; Press 2 for Hindi"

 

4. The talking ATM confirms the selection of language. "You have selected English/Hindi as thelanguage of your choice" based on the customer's input.

 

5. The ATM prompts the customer to select the volume level. "Press 1 to increase the volume.Press 2 to decrease the volume"

 

6. The ATM prompts to select the display option, whether to hide or show the transaction onthe screen for privacy. "Press 1 to hide the screen. Press 2 to show the screen"

 

7. The ATM prompts the customer to select whether he requires the orientation of the ATM.

  "Press 1 to hear the orientation. Press 2 to skip the orientation"  

8. If the customer selects to hear the orientation, The ATM describes the lay out of the ATM.

  After hearing the orientation the ATM prompts the customer whether he wants the ATM to  repeat the orientation. "Press 1 for Yes. Press 2 to continue the transaction"  

9. The ATM requests the customer to insert their ATM card and remove it.

 

10. The ATM asks the customer to enter their ATM PIN. "Please enter your PIN and press the

  enter key"

Shoes that tell you the map of a mall; glasses that vibrate when near an object; apps that identify objects for you; list of devices are such long when it comes to assistive navigational devices in the market. When in countries like USA themselves where the infrastructure accessibility is far better, people invent and use such devices, in countries like India where accessibility still remains a word, people get excited and long for such devices when they hear/read about them. Two such devices that are widely demonstrated and discussed in India are the smart canes and the glasses. No doubt, they are going to share the writing pad this time. What is a smart cane? If you want an official definition, here it is: The "Smart Cane" is an innovative device that can be mounted onto a traditional white cane carried by the visually challenged. It uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles at up to three metres. The range of the detected obstacles is conveyed to the user using vibratory signals with differentiated characteristics. It is designed as a user-detachable unit and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, such as those commonly found in mobile phones and digital cameras. – www.phoenix medicalsystems.com In other words, a smart cane is a device with ultrasonic censors that work like a batt in detecting objects. However, these censors can detect objects only above knees and objects lower than that will be taken care of by the traditional white cane on which the device is attached. The user can adjust the position of these censors to up, straight and low as per their requirements. The device vibrates when it detects an object/person at a distance of three metres. As you move closer to the object, the frequency of vibration increases to indicate that you are nearer the object. In India, this project is a join venture by Saksham Trust, Delhi, IIT, Delhi and Phoenix Medical Systems, Chennai. When testing its usability, I can easily say it is an excellent innovation as it is portable, battery powered and affordable. However, smart cane is not designed with the intelligence to differentiate between objects and human beings. It doesn’t have location censor too. So it vibrates even in a crowded place like a bus stop or on a train which would confuse the blind/visually impaired user. It does not have censors for the sides and so will not be able to indicate anything on either sides. But this is acceptable as the user anyway would get to know as he/she taps the cane. So it is advisable to switch off the smart cane when you reach a crowded place and use the traditional cane, the mobility training experts say. Smart glasses are mostly the same in India as I heard from one founders of an organization who had had the opportunity of witnessing a demo. However, deep readings reveals that the developed countries have been testing glasses which are intelligent to read bus numbers, street signs and so on. These intelligent glasses are still under researchers’ hands and so we have to wait until they hit the market. During one discussion with an NID (national Institue of Design) graduated engineer, my friend and I shared some points: 1. Smart cane should be aided with cameras 2. It should be network enabled to use location based services 3. It should have the text to speech function to describe the location/object/person information 4. It should allow the user to connect an earphone with it. The reply wee got is  that it is not at all difficulty in this tech-enabled world. However, it needs lot of funding and building these systems on a smart cane will make it an expensive affair to buy for a visually challenged user. The current smart cane is surely a development in navigational accessible technologies and the goodnews is that some NGOs give these smart canes for free for students. Only if the scientists, funding organizations, marketing organizations join hands to make it more affordable, intelligent and useful,  accessibility will become more meaningful in many people’s lives.

Listening to your web content rather than looking at it can be an "eye-opening" experience (pardon the pun) that takes sighted users out of their normal comfort zone. It gives sighted users a chance to evaluate their content from an entirely different perspective: from the perspective of a blind person. A lot of times you'll end up finding mistakes that would have been hard to catch visually. For example, spelling mistakes become very obvious when you hear words mispronounced by the screen reader. Screen readers are also very good for checking the accuracy and quality of image alternative text. Screen readers can also help you identify problems with reading order, table markup, form elements, and many other aspects of accessibility. Should I always test my web content for accessibility using a screen reader? Perhaps. If you know how to use a screen reader, this kind of test can be extremely valuable, especially for more complex or dynamic content. If you don't know how to use a screen reader, testing with a screen reader can be frustrating and counterproductive. In fact, you could mistakenly think that nearly everything you've created is inaccessible, when the real problem may be that you just don't know how to use a screen reader properly. WebAIM provides articles on Using JAWS to Evaluate Web Accessibility, Using NVDA to Evaluate Web Accessibility, and Using VoiceOver to Evaluate Web Accessibility which teach basic usage of these popular screen readers. So if I don't know how to use a screen reader, I shouldn't even try? Well, that would be an easy way out, but before you start making excuses, let's take a look at what you'd be missing out on. Screen reader users are one of the primary beneficiaries of your accessibility efforts, so it makes sense to understand their needs. Of course, you don't want to fall into the trap of thinking that accessibility is only relevant to screen reader users. Too many people focus on blindness to the exclusion of people with other disability types (motor, auditory, cognitive, low vision, etc.) whose needs are just as relevant. Although a screen reader isn't a "browser" in the same way that Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer are browsers (in fact, in most cases the screen reader depends on those browsers), screen readers are a way of accessing web content that is different from the way that sighted people use browsers. If you don't understand these differences, you won't understand what the accessibility challenges are for screen reader users, and you won't be able to design effectively for this audience. What are the main differences between the way sighted users and screen reader users access web content?

About the Course

• Karna Vidya Technology Centre is a partner organization of Enable India, Bengaluru. So, as a partner organization, the centre conducts Enable India Course in TamilNadu for the benefit of the visually impaired across the state.
• Computer Training for the visually impaired is the greatest form of empowerment which opens up the world to them: a world of information (aiding research, education, daily living, recreation), people, jobs, books (print to voice).
• Computer training involves training on Computer Basics, MS office applications, Internet using the JAWS & NVDA screen reading software which are talking software that aid the visually impaired to “hear” everything that a sighted person would “read”.
• This is an initiative from Enable India team towards giving quality computer training for visually impaired people who have completed their studies and are seeking job.
• Main goal of this course is to make the candidate employable by providing computer knowledge and making them efficient in using computers independently. This will increase the employment opportunities, betterment of existing job, and for higher studies.

Course Contents:

1. Life skills and life education training for both career and life: personal competencies, overcoming disability, managing conflicts, effective work habits etc.
2. English training: spoken and written communication, business communication and heavy emphasis is to enhance spellings.
3. Computers: basic computers with Microsoft Office applications like MS word, excel, outlook, power point, and internet.
4. Miscellaneous concepts like scanning and reading, Printing documents, CD Burning, Physical connections of computer, trouble shooting etc…
5. Employability training: disability specifics which will enable candidates to overcome their disability, General employability fundamentals which will enable them to work efficiently on the computer,
6. Job simulation and real – life projects which will help candidates to know about different jobs.
7. Introduction to Daisy
8. Other Supplementary concepts
9. Fun and Entertainment

Course Format:

• The duration of the course is 6 months. (4 months Basic Foundation & 2 months Skilled Employability)
• First month will be focused on typing, listening comprehension, Spellings, mobility, awareness of assistive aids and work environment.
• The next 3 months will be focused on basic computer operations with Windows application. And, English communication, mobility, employability and life skills are additional subjects.
• The last 2 months will be skilled employability training for vocational skills enhancement.

Course Details:

Duration :    6 Months (4 months Basic Foundation & 2 months Skilled Employability training)

Timings :     9.15 a.m. – 5.15 PM, Monday – Saturday

Seats :         20 Seats based on First come First Serve basis

Premise :      Karna Vidya Technology Centre, Guindy, Chennai

Course Fee : FREE

Assistance will be provided in getting employment for eligible candidates based on their course assessment performance

Eligibility:

• Any Visually Impaired person with graduation or equivalent diploma for CCCT, PUC / +2 pass candidates may be considered on an exception basis.
• Maximum age limit is 35 years
• Visually Impaired persons who can dedicate their full time for the entire course duration for their career benefits should apply

Joining Procedure:

Candidates have to call KVTC front office (Mobile number: 09840018012) and register for the course. Alternatively, send an email with full information on their contact and qualification infos to infokvtc@kvf.org or kvtc.chennai@gmail.com

About Us

Since the inception of Karna Vidya Reading Centre, over the years, a lot of useful material was collected through the volunteers. In 2003, it was felt that the next logical step forward would be setting up of a dedicated library - which would exclusively cater to the needs of the visually challenged and could be used as a database and a reference centre.

Facilities offered

Karna Vidya Library was established in 2003 whose services include:

• Circulation of academic contents in the form of Cassettes/CD/MP3.
• Acquiring resources including books, Braille transcripts and audio recordings.
• Recording, dubbing and digitization of academic contents.
• Book circulation.
• Procuring and providing audio recording and listening devices to deserving candidates.
  • The centre has sophisticated machines such as Sara,  (scanning And Reading Appliances)which scans a book and reads it out for the blind.
• The centre has DAISY(Digital Access Information System), by which audio books can be stored and played later, either chapter by chapter or para by para.
• The students are also taught to use the internet with support of special screen reading software.

Contact Us

Karna Vidya Library, GB, Ground Floor, Old No.9 / New No.17, Padmanabha View Apartments Gandhinagar 1st cross street, Adayar, Chennai-600 020, Contact Mrs.Shyla Vishwanathan

Mobile  93810 04365

Email   shylavish@gmail.com

Mrs.Shashikala Subramanian

Mobile  98402 31910

Email   shashisubbu@gmail.com

Working                                 Saturday 09.30AM to 01.30PM (IST) Back-office                            Tuesdays 09.30AM to 01.30PM (IST)  

Rotaract Club of Drishti

  Rotaract Club of Drishti is an unique club for, of&by the visually impaired youth across TamilNadu. The 11 member board led by the visually impaired college students is guided by two honorary coordinators. The club renders varied services on Counseling, Advocacy, Livelyhood, Education and Employment for social inclusion.

• Drishti Board
• Members
• Mission and Vision
• Drishti events

Extending one’s helping hands at the time of crisis is the true stamp of any ROTARACTOR!

About us

Karna Vidya Technology Centre (KVTC) is a Not-for-profit Training cum Placement Centre for the visually impaired. It ceaselessly works with the motto: ”Empowerment through Employment!” It was initiated by Rotaract Club of Drishti and supported by Rotary Club of Madras Coramandal  in the year 2013.

Team

• The Centre is totally manned and managed by the visually impaired. There are professional trainers for specific subjects and they are monitored and led by a manager.
• A team of advisors help the centre to execute the courses in a better pattern that suit the need of the candidates. On the whole, KVF board governs all the proceedings of the centre.

Mission and Vision

• Providing professional training courses for securing employability skillset required to get employed in IT and other prime departments.
• Endeavouring to build an accessible society all around the globe

Courses at a Glance

• Career Centric Computer Trainin (CCCT) – (Vocation based)
• Competitive Examination Preparatory Course (CEPC) – (Vocation based)
• Computer Office Automation Training (COAT) – (Computer Literacy based)
• Need Base Training / Work Place Sollution (NBT / WPS)

DAISY

Karna Vidya Technology Centre is a primary member of DAISY Forum of India (DFI). In order to bring in accessibility at all levels for the visually impaired, the centre is conducting Seminars, Workshops and other similar programmes. It is also involved in :

• The conversion of both academic, non-academic and Competitive exam books into accessible DAISY (Digital Access Information System) format
• Scanning the printed books both in English and Tamil into accessible formats and given to students for inculcating independent learning

In 2015, through the centre’s recommendation, 50 Tamil Academic books, meant for Tamil graduation studies, were converted and uploaded in BookShare Website. Those wish to possess a copy of the books check out our resources here

Placement Cell

• Seventeen (17) Candidates got employed in New Avenues as on 07/03/2016
• Assessment of Employability Skills set and professional Interviews are being conducted.

Training

Karna Vidya Foundation provides many trainings to the students. Know More

These laptops have been preloaded with the job access with speech (JAWS) screen reader that provides speech and Braille output for most popular computer applications. The Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd, New Delhi, has donated 50 such laptops to JNU. Vice-chancellor Sudhir Kumar Sopory, professor Manu Mitttal, chief advisor of the Equal Opportunity Office (JNU), and Sanjiv Garg, executive director of the RECL, handed over the laptops to the students. "It is society's duty to ensure every child receives the best possible education.," said Sopory.

She lost her vision when she had just stepped into youth. But it did not stop her from doing things girls of her age would normally do. Jidnyasa Chawaldhal, the sole female Nagpur Heroes awardee, could not adapt to mobility but today her students are alone crossing busy city roads and cooking full meals for their families. Visualization has always been her sixth sense and keeps her motivated to work towards empowering the disabled. Excerpts from the interview ... Q. How has winning the award changed your life? A. The award has given me something which I needed the most at this stage — recognition, especially among the educated class. Right after I won, a reputed institution of the city invited me as a chief guest for their Women's Day programme. Some days back, I called up a donor who congratulated me as soon as he picked up the phone. He had read about my work in The Times of India and didn't think twice before giving me an affirmative response. This was when I realized that the award has not just given me an identity but has also brought my work in the mainstream.

Equipped with 20-seat computer classroom, the Centre trains students from weaker sections, to enhance their education.

“Karna Vidya means learning through hearing. Visually challenged students have enormous capacity to learn and gather information through their keen hearing capabilities,” said G. Balasubrahmanyan, former president, RCMC.

The assistive technologies makes information accessible to them. “The Centre, which began in May this year, uses screen magnifier for partially visually-impaired and conversion of information in to accessible format through Digital Access Information System,” he added.

It also has a Scanning and Reading Appliance Camera Edition, which is a next-generation self-contained scanning and reading appliance for the blind and those with low vision.

“At present, we are offering two four-month courses – Computer Application with Screen Readers, and Soft Skills Development. The Centre trains the students to get employed in IT companies and IT Enabled Services as soft-skills trainer and technical trainer. We are planning to introduce courses for Post-Graduate and Doctorate students and professional and business courses such as Law and Information Technology,” said K. Raghuraman, Co-ordinator, KVTC, and Professor, Department of English, Government Arts College for Men, Nandanam.