I think, government should first of all try making computers compulsory at regular schools. only then can schools in rural areas focus on giving admission to blind students and meet their requirements. but till then, its necessary that blind people who have all facilities excel in their respective fields. so that it will be a motivation for others to follow.
On 3/18/15, REKHA REVATHY <rekharevathy2...@gmail.com> wrote: > I think that Vidya pointed out very rightly about the constraints of > making computer learning and usage compelssery very soon. > It is very difficult to implement this kind of decissions > very fast. > But it doesn't mean that govt can not do anything in this regards. > Quality of education in many blind schools is a matter of concern. > As Vidya pointed out there can be exceptions in the case. > There may good blind schools in developed and developing arreas. > But when it comes to rural areas it becomes a question mark. > Govt have to find some kind of solutions to improve the basic > accessability of schools and quality of education in schools of all > kind. > Here there can be exceptions. > But there are many cases in which schools are providing very better > education to all category of people. > But accessable computer education to blind students is again a matter > of concern. > On 3/18/15, Vidhya Y <vidhya....@gmail.com> wrote: >> we talk about accessibility, taking exams on computer, android >> accessibility, integrated education etc >> what about Indian Villages? >> in Villages, parents don't even educate their blind children. >> even if they do, its going to be in a blind school because they stay >> far away from cities >> and definitely integrated education is not the solution because >> when there are no proper schools for sighted dchildren itself, >> what about schools educating blind? >> and also parents leave them in hostels because travelling is not >> possible. >> in this way many children complete their entire education. >> so how can government make computer based exam compulsory? >> I am taking my own example, >> till 7th grade I had to stay in hostel because it was 70 Kilometers >> away from home. >> and from home there is no way to join integrated school because in >> near buy schools, >> no one learns computer till 8th grade and internet access is a big issue. >> later in 8th grade I had to cope up with the normal class because in >> blind schools, >> quality education is generally not met(exceptional schools might be >> there) >> I had to learn algebric concepts which should have been thought in 4th >> grade. >> then I finally managed to study math till BCA. >> and later after getting introduced to computer from 11th grade, >> I could study easily and now internet is also available. >> only because of my cousin I got support to learn computer and since I >> developed interest in computer, >> I continued in the same field and now I'll do msc. >> I could do is because of extreme support of my parents, brother and >> tutors. >> but it is not the case for many children. >> I remember in my town, there is a blind lady who has not studied and >> never come out of her room. >> another blind child doesn't know how to walk till she is 12 years. >> still there are many villages!. >> in this group say there are 5000 people all over india, >> what about the rest of the blind people? >> say another 5000 know computer and have internet access but not in the >> group. >> what about the rest? >> statistics says there are millions of blind people. >> I think we feel that every one are so fortunate as the members in the >> group. >> but government cannot make such computer based exam compulsory. >> and we cannot say its left to blind people to cope up with all >> upcoming technology! >> >> On 3/18/15, Pranav Lal <pranav....@gmail.com> wrote: >>> And do not forget to teach formatting; your readers will be sighted and >>> a >>> badly >>> formatted document is a serious turn off. >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>> Behalf >>> Of >>> kanchan Pamnani >>> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 1:42 PM >>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and >>> issuesconcerning >>> the >>> disabled. >>> Subject: Re: [AI] 2 Better Than 1? Being A Scribe For A Visually >>> Impaired- >>> Akanksha Mittal. >>> >>> Dont forget to teach grammar and spellings. Spell check is not the >>> complete >>> answer. >>> Kanchan Pamnani >>> Advocate & Solicitor >>> 9, Suleman Chambers, >>> Battery Street, Colaba, >>> Mumbai - 400 039. >>> >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Prashant Verma" <prashant...@gmail.com> >>> To: "'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>> concerningthe disabled.'" <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> >>> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 1:28 PM >>> Subject: Re: [AI] 2 Better Than 1? Being A Scribe For A Visually >>> Impaired- >>> Akanksha Mittal. >>> >>> >>>> Dependence upon scribes and misuse of scribes is indeed a real problem. >>>> At NAB Delhi we have started a project titled "technology aided >>>> education >>>> >>>> of >>>> the blind" to make students independent in reading and writing thereby >>>> eliminating the dependence upon scribes. >>>> Under this project, our students of class 6 and above will get personal >>>> laptops and students of class 3 to 5 will get computer training. >>>> The target is to make sure all blind studetns of classe 6 and above are >>>> able >>>> to read the computer to read books and write their exams. >>>> I hope in the years to come, our students will write their exams >>>> themselves. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>>> Behalf >>>> Of George Abraham >>>> Sent: 17 March 2015 07:42 >>>> To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>> concerning >>>> the disabled.' >>>> Subject: Re: [AI] 2 Better Than 1? Being A Scribe For A Visually >>>> Impaired - >>>> Akanksha Mittal. >>>> >>>> Systems of examinations should change so that our dependency on other >>>> people like scribes would be reduced. For new systems to work our >>>> primary/secondary education also has to evolve to being more technology >>>> based. VIs not being tech competent cannot be a reason to not use >>>> online >>>> processes. VIs have to empower themselves. That is a challenge. In the >>>> transition period, there would be a number of people who will find the >>>> computer/online processes tough. We need to focus on empowerment. >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >>>> Behalf >>>> Of Vamshi. G >>>> Sent: 16 March 2015 19:54 >>>> To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues >>>> concerning >>>> the disabled. >>>> Subject: Re: [AI] 2 Better Than 1? Being A Scribe For A Visually >>>> Impaired - >>>> Akanksha Mittal. >>>> >>>> The problem with examinations on computers is the lack of knowledge of >>>> the >>>> same for many visually challenged. I myself was not aware of screen >>>> readers >>>> till my 25th year. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 3/16/15, Kartik Sawhney <sawhney.kar...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> Completely agreed >>>>> >>>>> On 3/15/15, bala9119 <bala9...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> They say experience is the best teacher. And two experiences then are >>>>>> better teachers, I guess. So here are two such experiences that gave >>>>>> me two entirely different perspectives, yet zeroing down to perhaps >>>>>> just one conclusion. The Staff Selection Commission conducts >>>>>> examinations for graduates and post graduates for various government >>>>>> posts, apart from UPSC and DSSSB. Examinations for the posts that can >>>>>> be taken up by Visually Impaired Students have the provision of >>>>>> Scribes to make the examination smooth and accessible to the >>>>>> students. >>>>>> Keeping aside the whole debatable concept of "posts that can be taken >>>>>> up by the Visually Impaired", here I am going to discuss two such >>>>>> instances when I became a Scribe for a few Visually Impaired persons >>>>>> appearing for the SSC Examinations. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> During my first attempt at writing the paper for a visually impaired >>>>>> person, I went through three hours of emotional blackmailing by the >>>>>> candidate trying to cajole me into filling up the answers for him >>>>>> through my knowledge. I was caught in an ugly position where in the >>>>>> name of philanthropy I was actually cheating with the consent of the >>>>>> system! There are mathematical questions that a student with visual >>>>>> impairment has to answer which perhaps cannot be solved without using >>>>>> aids such as an Abacus or a Calculator. Having been accustomed to >>>>>> using the Abacus, two of the candidates I wrote the exam for found it >>>>>> difficult to calculate on their fingertips. >>>>>> >>>>>> Further, repeating the questions thrice and asking them to repeat >>>>>> their choice of answers umpteen times leads to wasteful use of time. >>>>>> In that sense, even the provision of extra time of 20-40 minutes for >>>>>> the visually impaired students is sometimes not enough and sometimes >>>>>> not legitimate. If the scribe is honestly not doing the candidate's >>>>>> paper then the former applies and if the scribe is "helping" the >>>>>> candidate with his answers then the latter. >>>>>> >>>>>> To err is human. And having to bear the brunt of someone else's >>>>>> mistake in something that perhaps decides your mode of earning a >>>>>> livelihood is exploitative. The visually impaired student places a >>>>>> lot of trust in the scribe who is marking his/her answers and is >>>>>> perhaps never going to be able to find out what went wrong if his >>>>>> scribes just could not answer the same way the candidate wants >>>>>> him/her to. Who is to blame? >>>>>> >>>>>> The second experience pointed to the inefficiency of the examination >>>>>> system further. The scribes are paid a remuneration of Rs. 500 by the >>>>>> Government for being present at the examination centre during all the >>>>>> shifts in which the exams are conducted on a single day. Whether a >>>>>> scribe actually writes an exam for a candidate or not is not the >>>>>> concern. So technically, you can just plan a get together with your >>>>>> friends one pleasant Sunday afternoon, decide to mark your attendance >>>>>> as a scribe during the morning and afternoon sessions and get paid >>>>>> for just two signatures and catching up with your friends. And that >>>>>> is exactly what I saw a group of people doing there who were selected >>>>>> as scribes without any preliminary screening apart from meeting the >>>>>> minimum requirement of being a class 12 graduate. >>>>>> >>>>>> What happens on rainy days when the candidates do not appear for the >>>>>> examination but the scribes do? The government pays a handsome amount >>>>>> to people for no work done by them. One such rainy day was the second >>>>>> time I decided to write the examination for a visually impaired, when >>>>>> most candidates missed their exam owing to the rain. >>>>>> >>>>>> There is no denying that the government spends money in trying to >>>>>> make the exams more accessible to candidates with special needs. How >>>>>> much of this expenditure actually benefits them is the question. It >>>>>> would perhaps do some good if the government spent the same amount of >>>>>> money in providing the candidates with computers that would read out >>>>>> the question papers to the candidates who can then mark the answers >>>>>> with their own hand. Various countries like Spain actually use such >>>>>> an approach towards examinations. >>>>>> >>>>>> Providing reservations to candidates with special needs is not the >>>>>> solution. Giving them equal opportunity to perform to the best of >>>>>> their capability is what is needed. In the words of an invigilator at >>>>>> the SSC examination, "Getting jobs through the 3% reservation for >>>>>> people with disabilities might succeed at giving them a livelihood, >>>>>> but they are sometimes more a liability to the government offices >>>>>> than assets". >>>>>> >>>>>> There is no denying that every person has the capability to perform >>>>>> like any other. All that we need is an equal opportunity to do that, >>>>>> which the current examination structure does not succeed in >>>>>> providing. >>>>>> Directing the expenditure towards the development of better >>>>>> infrastructure would perhaps be a more intelligent choice than just >>>>>> spending it because you believe you have so much of it! >>>>>> >>>>>> Source: >>>>>> >>>> http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/08/two-better-than-one-being-a-scribe-for- >>>> a-visually-impaired-in-an-exam/ >>>>>> -- >>>>>> "It doesn't matter what we have, but it really matters what we do >>>>>> with what we have." >>>>>> >>>>>> With Sincere Regards >>>>>> >>>>>> Balanagendran. D >>>>>> IAS Aspirant >>>>>> Skype: balanagendran >>>>>> Twitter: >>>>>> http://twitter.com/balanagendran89 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing >>>>>> accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>>>> >>>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessin >>>> dia.org.in >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Search for old postings at: >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>>>> >>>>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>>>> please visit the list home page at >>>>>> >>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Disclaimer: >>>>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>>>> of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>>>> veracity; >>>>>> >>>>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>>>> mails sent through this mailing list.. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> -Kartik Sawhney, >>>>> Cell: +1-(650) 492-3220 (US), +91-9958499435 (India) >>>>> E-mail ID: sawhney.kar...@gmail.com, karti...@stanford.edu >>>>> linkedin.com/in/kartiksawhney/ >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing >>>>> accessibility >>>> of >>>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>>> >>>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessin >>>> dia.org.in >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Search for old postings at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>>> >>>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>> please >>>>> visit the list home page at >>>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Disclaimer: >>>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>>> of >>>> the >>>>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>>> veracity; >>>>> >>>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>> mails >>>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> G. Vamshi >>>> Mobile: +91 9949349497 >>>> Skype: gvamshi81 >>>> >>>> www.retinaindia.org >>>> From darkness unto light >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>>> of >>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessin >>>> dia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Search for old postings at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>> >>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>> please visit the list home page at >>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Disclaimer: >>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>> of >>>> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>> veracity; >>>> >>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>> mails >>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>>> of >>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >>>> ia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Search for old postings at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>> >>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>> please >>>> visit the list home page at >>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Disclaimer: >>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>> of >>>> the >>>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>> veracity; >>>> >>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>> mails >>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>>> of >>>> >>>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>>> >>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.o >>> rg.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Search for old postings at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>>> >>>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>>> please visit the list home page at >>>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>>> >>>> >>>> Disclaimer: >>>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking >>>> of >>>> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >>>> veracity; >>>> >>>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>>> mails >>>> >>>> sent through this mailing list.. >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>> of >>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.o >>> rg.in >>> >>> >>> Search for old postings at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please >>> visit the list home page at >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Disclaimer: >>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >>> the >>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>> >>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent >>> through this mailing list.. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >>> of >>> mobile phones / Tabs on: >>> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Search for old postings at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >>> with the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please >>> visit the list home page at >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >>> >>> Disclaimer: >>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >>> the >>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>> >>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent through this mailing list.. >>> >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..