While those completely visually challenged use both Braille notes and recorded text, the partially blind use notes in large point sizes. But thousands of visually challenged students in the country may no longer have the need for Braille kits after next month's launch of a palm-sized audio player that resembles a gaming console.

Henceforth, students will simply have to plug in the earphones of the player, to be launched by DAISY Forum of India (DFI) and developed by the Delhi-based IT company Bi Square, to listen to reams of information and notes. DAISY stands for Digitally Accessible Information System.

Students will also be able to record notes in class while a teacher dictates the same. Because of its size, students would be able to tune in to the notes at anyplace - be it in a park or a train.

"This means visually challenged students would no longer have to depend only on Braille sheets," said Dipendra Manocha, DFI president. "The audio format of entire books can be stored in it. So if a student has to study 12 subjects, the notes of all the subjects can comfortably sit inside (the player)."

The player can be used not just by the visually challenged, but also by other print-disabled i.e. those who are dyslexic or suffer from cerebral palsy .

The player has several features like bookmarks and short-term memory for on-the-spot information as well as an in-built FM radio. The player, which now recognises English, will later be upgraded for use of content in Indian languages.

Manocha said the player would be priced at approximately Rs 5,000 and would be available with DFI member organisations such as the National Association for the Blind.

"The player has been designed in such a manner that a person not well-versed with technology can also operate it smoothly That's the best part of it," said . Professor Sam Taraporevala, who heads the Xavier's Resource Centre for Visually Challenged in Mumbai.

ALSO ON THE MARKET

1 Screen reader JAWS, a software that reads aloud the content on a computer screen.

2 Electronic Braille, which converts printed notes into Braille and vice-versa.

3 Braille printers/embossers that print in Braille.

4 Reading machines that read notes or books.

TUNE IN

IT company Bi Square spent 10 months designing a pocket-sized audio player that enables the print-disabled to access a book in the same manner that the sighted access their notebooks

A student will have to download the e-format of a book on to the player using a USB cable. Once loaded, a student will be able to listen to all the content via earphones.

Notes dictated in class can directly be recorded on the player.

The bookmark feature allows a student to resume where he/she left off last. There is also an option for multiple bookmarks.

The player has an in-built FM radio and a short-term memory to enable storage of tasks or phone numbers.

Dyslexic children or those with cerebral palsy can also use the player.

URL: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=21_04_2008_009_008&typ=0&pub=264