47 products for people with disabilities showcased at Techshare 2012

Feb. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- New Delhi, February 6, 2012: Barrierbreak Technologies run by Ashoka Fellow Shilpi Kapoor has been in the business of creating products and services that can make the lives of the differently abled more on par with the rest of the population. BarrierBreak, in association with National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Royal National Institute of Blind People (UK) organises Techshare India, the country’s only Pan-Disability Conference and Exhibition.

Over 47 products for people across a various spectrum of disabilities were on display at Techshare 2012. From Saksham India Trust that has audio-descripted and captioned films such as Peepli Live, Black and Munnabhai MBBS so that the visually impaired and deaf can enjoy the same; to innovative products from Sri Vishnu Education Society like the smart hat (for people with congenital disease whos head keeps tilting), currency note identifier, smart belts (for walking without sticks); there was an atmosphere of innovation and success.

There were advanced gadgets such Dolphin Supernova Access Suite. It provides access to Indian English accent voice& Hindi support. It can be used by a visually impaired person for working independently on the computer. It basically would Talk as you type, announcing words or characters so you can check what you write. It also would read out the screen as you are interacting with it. A person could access the web, write emails, create documents, spreadsheets and presentation. It basically provides a visually impaired person 100% independent operability.

Another revolutionary product on display was the Optelec 5HD, the first hand-held portable video magnifier offering superior images in High Definition for low vision. The magnification possible was from 1.5 x to 18x.

On the sidelines of the exhibition were conferences and seminars that had some eminent speakers such as Rob Sinclair, Global Accessibility Officer Microsoft and the world Chair of Disabled Peoples International (DPI) and Honorary Director of NCPEDP. Said Javed, “ Disabled people are being left behind by technology; instead of being enabled by it. We need strong implementation of the w3c guidelines that define official usability standards."

Rob Sinclair added, "our mission in Microsofts accessible business unit is to ensure accesses to services and devices; while respecting their unique level of physical and cognitive abilities."

Shilpi Kapoor said at the conference “The Knowledge Commission website clearly states that India is planning to set up 54000 libraries over the next two years. Products such as the Dolphin Supernova access suite that has been developed for all visually impaired users, from low vision to blind; with  a full screen reader offering magnification, speech and Braille support, giving people with visual impairment the freedom to access Windows in the way that suits them best; should be considered priorities while setting up these libraries.”
Stephen King, Group Director, Prevention & International Affairs, Royal National Institute of Blind People says, “This is a vital part of our collective effort to challenge and support governments and business to deliver the promises in the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities.”

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