[Indic-computing-users] Re: NEWS: Indian language software for the blind

[R. K. V. <kar...@vs...>]

It is useful to remember that similar software has been available=
 for 
at least the last three years as a result of the IITM project in=
 
Chennai. Details are available on the acharya web site ( 
http://acharya.iitm.ac.in )

During this time, at least 300-400 visually handicapped persons=
 have 
been trained to use this software in different parts of India and=
 a 
few other South Asian countries. 

Among the many improvements that Prof. Krishnan has in mind, is 
replacing the slightly Westernized accents of the voice=
 synthesizer 
with native Indian language accents/voices. If there is anyone on=
 the 
list who can help with this, do contact him at=
 rk...@ac...

The software works in all the languages that the IITM project 
supports- about 10 or 11. These are fantastic achievements 
considering that the IITM labs have been running on a zero budget=
 
ever since inception. 

Karthik Venkatesh

>3. NEWS: Indian language software for the blind (Frederick=
 Noronha

>Kalam launches software for the blind
>
>By Mohammed Shafeeq, Indo-Asian News Service
>
>Hyderabad, Mar 15 (IANS) For the visually impaired, information=
 in
>Telugu and Hindi is just a click away.
>
>President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Saturday launched software for the
>visually handicapped that makes this possible.
>
>"Reading Aid for Blind", developed by the International=
 Institute
>for Information Technology (IIIT), enhances the reading=
 capability
>of the visually handicapped.
>
>With the help of this software, text on-screen can be=
 transformed to
>speech.
>The computer then reads this out to the user. Initially created=
 for
>English readers, the software has been adapted for Hindi and=
 Telugu.
>
>The project, funded by the Satyam Computers, has seen the
>establishment of a language technology centre at a cost of=
 Rs.10
>million at IIIT for the development of Indian languages.
>
>The President presented the software to Dinesh Kushal, a=
 visually
>impaired software developer of the Indian Association of Blind.
>
>An ecstatic, Kushal described the software as a boon.
>
>"The information from Indian languages will now be accessible.=
 It
>has opened new vistas for people like me," he said.
>
>Kalam lauded the efforts of the IIIT in applying Information
>Technology for the benefit of the visually impaired.
>
>"It is doing excellent work in research and development of=
 software
>technology for its societal, industrial, financial and=
 scientific
>applications," he said.
>
>Recalling his interaction with the physically and mentally
>challenged children on various occasions, the president said=
 these
>children also had the urge to pursue studies and work.
>
>"You have to provide solutions to their problems using IT to=
 develop
>audio books, talking websites, voice interface and other=
 devices",
>he said.
>
>The development of this aid cost Rs.1.5 million. It is likely to=
 be
>extended to the other Indian languages in two years.
>
>--Indo-Asian News Service