26 June,2011 07:31 AM IST | | Sanjeev Devasia
State asks all departments to source equipment to help blind employees
In what is a welcome move, the state government has asked all its departments in the state to source aids and equipment for employees, who suffer from complete or partial blindness that can help them do their work better.
These will include software like JAWS Professional Software that enables the visually impaired to access computers independently, and items like CCTV print magnifiers, hand-held digital reading aids designed for those with low vision, Braille Shorthand Machines, and Fine Readers that use Optical Character Recognition technology and allow blind people to scan and read any printed document.
According to an official from the Social Welfare department, who requested anonymity, the department has already issued a government resolution to all state government departments to source the equipment.
"We have decided to set a rate card and record the names of manufacturers from whom we can source these equipment. All departments of the state government have been asked to source these equipment as per the demands of their visually-challenged employees."
According the Social Welfare department's officials, there are 10,000 employees, who are handicapped, blind, deaf and dumb.
Out of these around 2,282 employees are visually impaired.
"This move will help them carry out their work efficiently," said the official.
