Here is an ideal example of how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used for the benefit of deaf and mute.
The Association of People with Disability has embarked on a unique programme using advanced ICT to connect more than 700 stakeholders in the space of disability in distant places from the city such as Bijapur district.
“We have started this programme on a pilot basis. The objective of this programme is to utilise the services of eminent people in Bangalore. This programme makes it easy to focus on issues related to disability and the cost involved is much less compared with other programmes organised before the launch of this one,” said VS Basavaraju, executive director, Association of People with Disability.
It will be a big challenge to get professional and qualified trainers in remote districts like Bijpaur. It is also impracticable to bring people with disability, government staff and other stakeholders from Bijapur to Bangalore for educating or training.
“Hence, we plan to build a well-equipped digital studio in Bangalore, which will be the hub and teachers/faculty will conduct structured sessions here along with practical demonstrations wherever required,” said Afsar Nigar, senior manager.
There is a receiving studio in Bijapur where candidates will attend classes. The sessions will be transmitted live through technology and it will be interactive.
“It will avoid the need for staff of the APD going all the way to Bijapur. This unique programme will also save time and money for deaf and mute children from Bijapur, who otherwise have to come all the way to Bangalore,” said Rashmi MT, a trainer.
Even people with disability who require healthcare and therapeutic support or tailor-made mobility aids in remote districts can be attended to and taken care of through this project by virtue of ICT.
“We have already completed the training for one batch of deaf and mute students. Each batch consists of 30. As of now, the training is in progress for the second batch,” said Rashmi.
She stated that the programme helps deaf and dumb students to know about government schemes meant for disabled people and how to utilise such welfare schemes.
“There are 10 lakh disabled people in Karnataka and about 7 crore in India. The primary needs of those in the age group of 0 to 35 years are education, healthcare and human services.
Conventional models of operation cannot attend scale and replicability and address this enormous challenge. Hence the APD has innovated this unique model to utilise both the financial and human resource available with government and other stakeholders to render human services to people with disability,’’ said Afsar Nigar.
According to a 2011 census report, Bijapur district has 50,000 people with disability. They require education, healthcare, therapy and mobility aids. If all goes well, the programme will be extended to other districts for the benefit of 1.50 lakh people living with disability in them.
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