Insight — ICT for the differently abled
Encyclopedia
Insight is a project jointly initiated by the Kerala State Information Technology Mission and SPACE (Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment
) to bring the benefits of Information and Communication Technology to people with disabilities. Insight commenced its activities in May 2007 with the setting up of a resource centre for the visually challenged in Vellayambalam
, Thiruvananthapuram
. It caters to the ICT needs of the visually challenged by providing ICT training and developing assistive technology for them. It also imparts computer training and develops devices to aid autistic children.
Currently, Insight imparts ICT training to people who have Visual impairments, ranging from Blindness
, Low vision
etc. The training programme is designed in such a way as to help them comprehend the various distinctions of ICT. It resorts to cutting-edge technology and software, that are specially designed for the visually challenged, for the training programme. The training at Insight will help them familiarize with IT-enabled services and applications that will enhance their career skills.
The training programme makes use of Orca (an assistive technology for the visually challenged), Ubuntu and other GNU/Linux
based operating systems. Training will also be given in other free and open source technologies. On successful completion of the two-month programme, students are awarded a certificate by the IGNOU. Insight imparts training to autistic children using GCompris
, a package of free educational software for children.
The IT policy of the state government had envisaged the penetration of ICT to all sections of the society. And Insight is a shining example to prove that the government is well on track in implementing what it envisioned.
Insight is entering the fourth year of its activities and in the coming days, Insight will continue to extend its services to the differently abled community for ensuring that they are not left behind in a race, that is increasingly being governed by technology.
. Swaram is the hallmark project of Insight in the field of production of audio content. Recording of study materials and books are also done here upon request.
Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment
The Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment is located in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.- External links :*...
) to bring the benefits of Information and Communication Technology to people with disabilities. Insight commenced its activities in May 2007 with the setting up of a resource centre for the visually challenged in Vellayambalam
Vellayambalam
Vellayambalam is a prominent junction in the city of Thiruvananthapuram and is situated on the Rajapatha that stretches from Kowdiar to East Fort.-Overview:...
, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. It caters to the ICT needs of the visually challenged by providing ICT training and developing assistive technology for them. It also imparts computer training and develops devices to aid autistic children.
Profile
Insight is aimed at empowering the differently abled by expanding their job competencies and resourcefulness through ICT. The primary concern of Insight is to aid people with special needs access technology. The organization aspires to play a productive role in helping the differently abled secure a job and lead an independent life.Currently, Insight imparts ICT training to people who have Visual impairments, ranging from Blindness
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
, Low vision
Low vision
Low vision is a subspecialty within the professions of optometry and ophthalmology dealing with individuals who have reduced vision even when using the best possible spectacle or contact lens correction available. It can be a result of either congenital disease Low vision is a subspecialty within...
etc. The training programme is designed in such a way as to help them comprehend the various distinctions of ICT. It resorts to cutting-edge technology and software, that are specially designed for the visually challenged, for the training programme. The training at Insight will help them familiarize with IT-enabled services and applications that will enhance their career skills.
The training programme makes use of Orca (an assistive technology for the visually challenged), Ubuntu and other GNU/Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
based operating systems. Training will also be given in other free and open source technologies. On successful completion of the two-month programme, students are awarded a certificate by the IGNOU. Insight imparts training to autistic children using GCompris
GCompris
GCompris is a suite of free educational software for children aged 2 to 10., and is currently part of the GNU project.It is available for GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and other systems...
, a package of free educational software for children.
Mission
Insight was founded as an attempt to embolden the differently abled through ICT. Through its three years of operation, Insight has been able to alter the conventional notions of a common man about the capacities of a visually challenged person.The IT policy of the state government had envisaged the penetration of ICT to all sections of the society. And Insight is a shining example to prove that the government is well on track in implementing what it envisioned.
Insight is entering the fourth year of its activities and in the coming days, Insight will continue to extend its services to the differently abled community for ensuring that they are not left behind in a race, that is increasingly being governed by technology.
Publication
Insight releases a bimonthly audio magazine “Swaram”, which is probably the first of its kind in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Swaram is the hallmark project of Insight in the field of production of audio content. Recording of study materials and books are also done here upon request.