Special Vidyarambham' for visually challenged

KOZHIKODE: This Vidyarambham was special for the visually-impaired kids of Malabar. For the first time, a hospital celebrated the beginning of learning using braille and hi-tech software. Puthalath Hospital conducted the special event along with Chakshumathi Assistive Technology Centre and Mahatma Eye Research Foundation at the eye hospital at Kalluthan Kadavu, empowering them with the new technologies to help them in future. Actor-director Sreenivasan helped three-year-old Adhirdh and six-year-old Srijinsha to write first letters. Ten other children were also initiated to the world of learning.

The digital technology presented information in readable formats. The Braille system consisted of 300 books they could read but did not possess enough information. “Hence they were presented with an online library bookshare.org where they could access more than 3,000 books to sharpen their knowledge. The online library is specially designed for people with print disability, and classes were conducted for kids, and all of them were given free membership also," said Dr Suresh Puthalath, medical director. “The kids should never feel sidelined due to the disability. Our intention was to create an empowering environment for students on this blessed day. The classes will strengthen their abilities and widen the scope of knowledge.”