Computer Education for the Visually Disabled

EMPLOYEES of Xansa (India), as part of their world-wide community initiative programme 'Optimise October', have decided to tie up with a blind school at Lajpat Nagar.

Involved in computer education, the company has taken upon itself the task of providing basic computer education to its teachers, donate Braille slates, type and print books in Braille format in MS-Word, record books on audio cassettes and raise funds for the school.

So far, they have successfully provided basic computer education to five school teachers, donated 50 Braille slates and typed two out of the three school books in MS-Word. The rest they intend to complete by this month-end.

But the sense of joy and satisfaction has prompted Xansa volunteers to go beyond the scheduled programme.

"We plan to provide software and keyboard for typing in Hindi. We shall type more books for the visually challenged in MS-Word and print them in Braille format. We also intend to coordinate with other organizations to provide computer education to more teachers and type and record books on regular basis."

The Blind School in Lajpat Nagar was established in 1986. About 110 visually challenged boys study here, most of them from the low-income families.

The school provides free lodging, boarding, clothing, books and medical facilities to its students.

Education is free up to Class VIII. The school also provides hostel facilities to class IX and XII boys who study in other blind schools.

Besides, it also tries to make the students self-sufficient by imparting free vocational training in music, canning, weaving, candle-making and such activities that can ensure employment.

Its cricket team has won many prizes in various tournaments.

The school has a modest library having Braille books on various subjects.

It also has a computer system with Braille printer.

However; the employees are not familiar with the computer and are thus unable to take advantage of computer system.