(a) whether the Government is undertaking any Research and Development (R&D) works for development of new technology for the visually impaired persons;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is aware of any research undertaken/new technology/ application/instrument developed that enabled the visually impaired persons to perceive sights through the medium of sound; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) & (b): The details of Research and Development (R&D) works undertaken/to be undertaken for the visually impaired persons during the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 are as under:
2013-14
(i) Job Mapping study to further the scope of employment and productivity of visually impaired.
(ii) Production of video film on Braille technology methodology.
(iii) Prepared Indian languages Braille tables in open source Braille library based on Unicode table.
(iv) Designing upward Braille writing frame.
Ongoing Projects:
(i) Review of Bharati Braille for aligning it to Unicode symbols
(ii) Development of Braille codes for the languages of North East States.
(iii) Preparation of an information booklet on raising awareness on blindness
(iv) Preparation of revised edition of hand book for teachers of V.I.
Proposed Projects for the year 2014-15:
(i) Comparative study of Braille reading & writing capacity of children with visual impairment studying in special schools and integrated setting.
(ii) Maths teaching strategies and their impact on the learning of V.I. students in special schools.
(iii) Transcription of notations of popular `khayal bandish` in Hindustani classical music.
(iv) Project proposal for studying a gap between the demand and Braille production
(v) A hand book for maths teachers on advance Braille maths code.
(vi) A short educational film on teaching maths to young Blind children.
(vii) To design and develop a basic Atlas in raised format for children with visual impairment.
(viii) To design and develop a pre school kit of teaching learning materials for young visually impaired children.
(ix) To design and develop a liquid level indicator for visually impaired persons.
(c) & (d): So far no such device has been developed in India which could help a blind person to see by using this instrument through the ear. However, researches in this regard are going on throughout the world and as per information available, this technology is largely in the pilot stage