1. E-Braille Presented By Shri S. N. Goswami Whole Time Director Webel Mediatronics Limited, Kolkata

2. India is home of half of the world blind population Issues: - Education - Inclusion in Mainstream Activities

3. Visual Impairment Scenario TOTAL-106.34 Lakhs (1.03% of Total Population) Urban-27.61 Lakhs Rural-78.73 Lakhs Male : 57.32 Lakhs Female : 49.02 Lakhs Source : Census 2001

4. Visual Impairment Scenario – Statewise In Lakhs Delhi : 1.20 (0.87%) U P : 18.52 (1.11%) M P : 6.36 (1.05%) Chhat’garh: 1.60 (0.77%) Bihar : 10.05 (1.21%) Jharkhand: 1.86 (0.69%) W B : 8.62 (1.07%) Orissa : 5.13 (1.39%) Assam : 2.82 (1.06%) Source : Census 2001 Tamilnadu: 9.63 (1.54%) A P : 5.82 (0.76%) Karnataka: 4.41 (0.83%) Kerala : 3.35 (1.05%) Maharastra: 5.81 (0.60%) Rajasthan: 7.53 (1.33%) Gujarat : 4.94 (0.97%) Punjab : 1.70 (0.70%) Haryana : 2.01 (0.95%) J&K : 2.08 (2.05%)

5. Visual Impairment Scenario – Statewise In Lakhs Source : Census 2001

6. Visual Impairment Scenario Prevalence in Rural Areas and among Economically Weaker Section Spread Far and Wide. Intervention through Small Clusters Due to financial condition it is often difficult for the families to provide necessary support for development of skills for the VI persons

7. Employment – 1% reserved for people with blindness / low vision Education - Right to free books, learning material - Schools to be equipped with vocational training facilities - Non-formal education, where necessary - Training of teachers Development and research for - Affordable Aids and Appliances - Special education, rehabilitation and manpower development PWD Act 1995

8. WML Approach Information Technology Enabled Braille Education Indian Languages Integrated System for Reading, Writing, Printing, Teaching, Learning Modular, Scaleable & Interactive System

9. Computerised Braille Transcription System Input Devices For the Visually Impaired to Write in Braille QWERTY Keyboard –With Audio Support –Braille Input Using 6 Keys (SDF JKL) –Single User Braille Keyboard (BKB) –Ergonomic Design For Braille Entry –With Audio Support –Multi-User

11. For Interactive Teaching Session. Braille Entry by 8 Students simultaneously thru 8 BKBs Braille-to-Text conversion Braille Printing and Text Printing Braille Keyboard & E – Class Room

12. Computerised Braille Transcription System Output Devices Indigenously developed Automatic Braille Embosser Tactile Reader – Refreshable Braille Display Interface with Imported Braillers of different Speeds / Manufacturers

14. Tactile Reader & E – Library Paperless Reading. Multiple Users Reading Different Files from a Computer Content To Be Available In Electronic Form Each Reader can Control their Terminal for Navigation at his own speed.

15. Computerised Braille Transcription System Application Software in 13 Indian Languages Text to Braille Transcription Software Braille to Text Transcription Software E-Reading Software for paperless reading using Refreshable Braille Display E-Classroom Software using Multiple Braille Keyboards for Interactive Classrooms Mathematics Transcription Software

16. 12 Indian Languages Print Through Interpoint Brailler MathBraille ReadBraille WriteBraille EasyBraille DirectBraille Text To Braille Perkins Braille: Operation in Parallel Upto 4 nos. ASDF GLKJ Braille Print Braille Keyboard BKB-10 Parallel operation Upto 8 nos Normal Qwerty Keyboard Inkjet Printer Ink Print ASDF GLKJ Tactile Reader Parallel Operation Upto 8 nos. INPUT DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES SOFTWARE COMPUTERISED BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEM 13 Indian Languages Networking

17. www.braille-aids.in - Connecting the Blind Schools, NGOs, Individuals Electronic Braille Archive in 13 Languages Magazine Learn Braille Information on NGOs, Blind Schools Links to Relevant Govt. Websites

18. www.braille-aids.in.

19. WIMATS Mathematics Transcription Software User Friendly Interface to Input Mathematics and Scientific Notations Supports 180Math Symbols Arithmetic,Algebra, Geometry, Calculus Nemeth Braille Standard Interface with Windows Compatible Embossers

20. WML System Imported Systems Indian Language – English Integrated System – Different software catering to diff. Reqmt. Interactive E-Classroom System – Not Available E-Reading System Multi User – Single User Affordable – Expensive in India A Unique System For IT Enabled Braille Education in the Country

21. Deployment: 22 States: 13 Languages: 110 Schools

22. Achievements Received National Award from Ministry of Social Justice & Empower, 2000 Received National Award from DARPG in 2004 Systems Installed at 110 Schools across 22 states all over the country 5 Systems exported to Blind Schools at Bangladesh Mathematics Braille Transcription Software

23. Development Work Ongoing Text to Speech Software Screen Reader Talking Dictionary Email Application in Braille Optical Character Recognition Scanner - Reader

24. Scope Deployment of Software and Hardware in All Blind Schools Deployment at all VRCs Braille Corner Facilities in Libraries, State Archives DirectBraille Software instead of Assistants in Examination Audio Supported Braille To Text Software at Office / Bank / Court for Rehabilitation.

25. A Visually Impaired Student Typing In Braille

26. Thank You Webel Mediatronics Limited P-1, Taratala Road, Kolkata – 700 088, INDIA Phone: 91-33 2401 5602 / 0712, Fax: 91-33 2401 4081 E-Mail: webelmedia@gmail.com; wml@vsnl.com Website: www.braille-aids.in, www.webelmediatronics.in

27. Text-to-Braille System Windows based easy to use Text-to-Braille Software for printing Braille in Indian languages & English. Braille knowledge not required for system operation. The software will remove the problem of entering data in Braille as is done now for mass production of Braille materials in Indian languages. Interface available for Braille-O, Index, Perkins and other imported systems.

28. Typing in Braille with audio support using regular Keyboard by the Visually Impaired. Converts Braille to Indian languages text - Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Nepali, Mizo, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English. Braille as well as text printing by the Visually Impaired. Easy to learn. A Rehabilitation tool. Braille-to-Text System : DirectBraille

29. To create mathematics & scientific text, books, notes, question papers etc. in Braille in Indian languages & English. Editor to type in English and Indian languages, text and mathematical symbols. Nemeth Braille standard for transcription. Editable in Braille as well as text mode. Soft Keyboard for different languages and Math - symbols. Mathematics Braille

30. EasyBraille An Interactive Multimedia CD-ROM for Learning Braille in Indian Languages for Sighted Persons. Supports 12 Indian Languages & English. “… it (EasyBraille) has been used in the Resource Centre (at NIVH, Dehradun) and found useful for teaching Braille to Teacher Trainees / O&M instructor trainees. This package is quite effective for self – learning of Braille.” -- NIVH, Dehradun

31. Shruti Dristi ---- Browsing Through Listening Extractor System – Extracts data and links as well as text from a web page Vachantar System – links and texts in synthetic speech Text to Braille – through refreshable Braille Display and hardcopy by Automatic Braille Embosser Developed Jointly by CDAC, Pune and WML

32. TTS Application BengaliReader- Reads Bengali text files through synthetic speech. Bengali and Hindi languages. Visually Impaired Persons can operate independently.

33. Find meaning and parts of speech information of a word typed in Braille. Synthetic Speech output available. Special searching facility for rhyming words & wild card. Talking Dictionary

34. INDEX 4 x 4 PRO HIGH SPEED PRINTER

35. Training Centre At Belgaum, Karnataka

36. “…it is our wish that blind children studying in schools for the blind and integrated education programme gets this vital learning experience. We highly recommend the implementation of this programme wherever possible. “ Comments on the Braille Transcription System of WML Dr. M. N. G. Mani Secretary General – Asia Pacific Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) “ We assure you that these software and devices designed by WML will open up new horizons in the field of Braille Literacy and computer education for the visually challenged person.” Mr. J. V. Kavi Principal Secondary School For The Blind Ahmedabad (A Training Centre) “…I urge on equipping all Government aided and N.G.O s Working for the Visually Impaired in the Country with this System developed indigenously under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Technology, Government of India.” Padmashree Dr. Rajendra T. Vyas Hon. Secretary General National Association For The Blind, Mumbai