Lucknow: A special keyboard distribution and digital empowerment programme for visually impaired students was organised at Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University with the objective of enhancing the academic and technological capabilities of students with visual disabilities.
The programme was jointly organised by the university and Help the Blind Foundation to mark the successful completion of two years of the tenure of Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Singh.
The event was conducted under the guidance and blessings of Prof. Sanjay Singh. Speakers at the programme highlighted that under his leadership, the university has consistently worked towards creating a disability-friendly and technologically inclusive educational environment.
The primary objective of the initiative is to train visually impaired students in the use of screen-reading software and applications used on computers and Android mobile phones, including NVDA, TalkBack, and JAWS. Through this initiative, students will gain better access to digital education, online study material, e-books, competitive examination preparation resources, and independent use of technological tools.
During the programme, keyboards were distributed among the students, and it was announced that specialised training sessions would soon be conducted for them. The training will focus on computer operation, typing skills, internet usage, participation in online classes, and the use of educational mobile applications.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vijay Shankar Sharma said that modern technology is opening new avenues of education and employment for visually impaired students. He added that with proper training and access to resources, students can become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to society.
Students attending the programme also expressed appreciation for the initiative. One student said that the keyboards and upcoming training would help them prepare notes independently and access online study material more easily. Another student shared that learning screen-reading software would significantly support preparation for competitive examinations and boost confidence in using digital platforms.
Among those present at the programme were students including Dheeraj, Akash, and Rizwan, along with several other participants. Speakers described the initiative as an important step towards educational development, digital inclusion, and self-reliance for visually impaired students.
