Disabled get tech help at Avinashilingam

COIMBATORE: M Sathya, 20, was born with visual impairment. Though not completely blind, Sathya had to always strain her eyes to read her textbooks. She could not read for more than few minutes at a stretch. Her life changed two years ago after she joined the special education department of the Avinashilingam University to study economics.
A software called 'Read Easy' helps her enlarge the text."This software has a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera installed which enlarges the text for me and is displayed on the TV," said Sathya who hails from Pazhani. The third year BA Economics student said, "I now read continuously for almost an hour. And then take a break for few minutes and continue." This device has helped Sathya improve her academic performance. While the device has been helping her, it has also come to the aid of her twin brothers Rahul and Gokul, who are studying in class 11 in Ramakrishna Mission, Avinashilingam's sister institute.
Like Read Easy has helped Sathya, another software called JAWS has been an aid for Ilangodhai M, a third year BA English literature student. Following the footsteps of her senior Anjum Khan, who last week received her doctorate in philosophy, Ilangodhai too aims to reach similar heights. "The software has a scanner that helps me transfer text from books and papers on to the screen. The software then reads the text for me," said Ilangodhai. "I can control the speed of reading and can learn spellings as well," said she.
Similar devices were put on display at the exhibition at Avinashilingam University on Thursday. Apt to the theme, development in technology for the disabled, the exhibition had devices that help children with special needs. The university is also planning to create a real-time sensory park for autistic children. "Autistic children find it difficult to identify difference in textures, sizes and shapes. This park will give them a real-time exposure to these aspects," said Premavathy Vijayan, head of the special education department.
Besides the technology support offered by the institute, there were stalls put up by NGOs and institutes that offer support and education to differently abled children. Coimbatore Mayor P Rajkumar and Corporation Commissioner Dr K Vijayakarthikeyan inaugurated the sales.
Differently abled children had put paper bags, cloth bags, purses, hand-made greetings, biscuits, stationery and paintings for sale. "All the items on sale have been made by the children. The proceeds from the sale will be used for the benefit of these children," said Kalaiselvi R, staffer of Family for Children, an NGO that works towards helping disabled children.