NGO develops book reader for the blind

A Nagpur-based NGO, Saksham, has launched an audio book reader for the
visually challenged. The device, priced at Rs5,000, would not only help the visually challenged in their studies but also undertake leisure reading and learn music.

The NGO’s national general secretary Avinash Sangvai said that the instrument was developed after carrying out a detailed research on various devices used for the blind. Sangvai and his two friends Sandeep Darwhekar and Mukund Deshmukh designed and developed it.

Elaborating on the features of the audio reader, he said it can read the audio tracks stored in a multimedia memory card of 2 GB capacity, which has a storage capacity of 60 odd hours. “This pocket-size device has only five embossed buttons for browsing the menu,” he said, adding that with the buttons, one can navigate through any subject or book. Operations like fast forward, fast backward and pause too can be carried out at ease.

He appealed to various city-based NGOs working for visually challenged to come forward to make the devise available in the city. The instrument can be used by ten people at a time, he said. “We have stored the curriculum from school level till the competitive examinations,” he said, explaining that other reading material and music have also been stored.

Sangvai said many people from housewives to a professional voice lender have contributed towards recording the books. “The data was recorded at homes, recording studios, on roads, and other places,” he said, adding the idea was to give authentic information to the blind.

The device was initially launched in Nagpur in September 2008 followed by Hyderabad and Kerala.