Technology innovations from small groups are trying to bring about big changes for the countrys differently abled people,and for the large population living in remote villages Ancient India used to be the centre for innovations with some of the most path breaking medical and technological inventions fuelled by the desire to help their fellow man. That spirit,though dwindled over the centuries,still lives on in some of the latest creations from students and individual researchers with a desire to help our growing population of diffe rently-abled people. These innovations are the finalist for the Genpact Nasscom Social Innovation Honours 2011 THE CAMERA MOUSE India has a swelling population of people who have low vision,unable to do office work or use a computer.According to M S Raju of Vision Aid there are at least ten lakh individuals who can benefit from access to this device. The camera mouse is a self illuminated camera box that links up to a screen from where the person with low-vision can read text or clearly look at an object in real time.This would not be possible with say a computer magnification software that only lets you use your computer or a magnifying glass that cant achieve the desired results.More about the device can be read at www.visionaid.org. THE BLIND HELPER The blind helper is a 7 key customised wireless keyboard that help the visually handicapped person to operate a computer as well as control any electrical appliance wirelessly through software called E-Vision.The software interprets signals and transmits them to the user as voice.The device costs Rs 3,500 where a competing device would cost around $1000. Read more about this device on the Web site sites.google.com/site/ blindhelper1 BRAILLE DISPLAY Paul G DSouza has invented a device that can be used as a multiline refreshable display for Braille text,think of it as tactile equivalent of a computer monitor.The device is made of commonly found materials,is simple to construct,maintain and repair.The display produces hard Braille that is much easier to learn and use than piezoelectric displays,which produces soft Braille. The product is still in the prototype phase but an entry level single line device would cost Rs 5,000 each.You can watch a video of the device at tinyurl.com/mmdisplay PANINI KEYPAD Typing a regional language on the standard phone keypad whenever available is still a daunting task,but this little software makes it an easier and visually inviting experience.The Panini Keypad software lets you receive and send text messages in a local language and it doesnt require the need of the English keypad on your phone. It already supports Hindi,Bengali,Telegu,Tamil,Gujarati,Kannada,Malayalam and Punjabi.A list of compatible devices is listed at www.paninikeypad.comand it is free to download GAON KI AWAAZ Most villages in India have little access to information that is relevant to them,but Gaon Ki Awaaz aims to give them news that affects them in a language they understand,through a medium that has already invaded or villages,namely mobile phones.The information includes upcoming welfare schemes and agricultural developments.The broadcast is done in vocally in the Avadhi dialect. The news bits can also be accessed online at gaonkiawaaz.wordpress.com  The device costs Rs 2,400    |