There are approximately 600 mn disabled people in the world, of which a large number live in India. Besides dealing with disabilities, the differently-abled people also fight with various misconceptions and prejudices associated with their needs and abilities. Thus, there is an urgent need for a revolution to break this barrier of misconception and to bring the disabled into the mainstream.

With the aim to bring this revolution in society, a conference-cum-exhibition for the disabled was conducted between February 4-5, 2008, at New Delhi. BarrierBreak Technologies, in partnership with Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK), organized the event to highlight the role of technology in the lives of people with disabilities. The event brought the entire ecosystemthe government, corporates, NGOs, the disabled, product companies, and education providersunder one roof. Twenty one companies from across the globe, including India, participated in this conference-cum-exhibition, to showcase their products.

On the need for such a platform, Richard Orme, head of accessibility, Royal National Institute of Blind People, UK, says: The motive is to bring people with disabilities together with the technology industry and policy makers.

The event emphasized the need to manufacture products, using the information and communication technology (ICT) in the best possible manner, which can help improve the lives of the disabled. The event also focused on promoting and implementing the accessibility laws and standards, and the use of technology to help people with disabilities.

Showcasing Products
A variety of products were showcased with demonstration solutions for almost all kinds of disabilities in the exhibition.

The showcased products include various technologies that can assist a physically challenged person in reading, writing, operating the computer, sending and receiving emails, checking the time, making complicated calculations, and doing other important chores. In other words, they can do things they never imagined doing. Various products were showcased ranging from education and training materials, digital talking books, digital magnifiers, color identifiers, screen readers, electronic wheelchairs, etc.

Milestones
Though challenges are plenty, a lot of effort has gone into improving the lives of the disabled. Individuals, governments, and non-governmental organizations have done a lot to bring some relief to the disabled. There are many, many achievements, some by individual entrepreneurs, others by large corporations. For example, a blind person can use a talking mobile phone, surf the Web with a talking computer, scan a printbook and hear it read back to them using a computer. These were mere science fiction untill a few years ago, says Orme.

In its efforts to reach more disabled people, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (UK) is working with many of the world's leading technology companies to improve the accessibility of new products. The institute is also in talks with the government about the need to introduce anti-discrimination legislation for technology. The institute is also spending money on developing less costly and easier to use products.

Challenges
Often developers of technology forget to think about the wide range of people who will use their products and services. We all want to do everything, and technology provides us with a way to include the entire society in a way that was not possible before, says Orme.

A major challenge in effective utilization of IT for these products is to manage the price of these products. As a majority of our population comprises of people with limited resources, and assuming that the majority of the disabled belong to the poor and the middle class, affordability becomes an important issue as far as the products are considered. For instance, a portable magnifier-cum-camera costs around Rs 40,000a price too high for a majority of people in our country.

Orme says, IT and other technological companies must think about disabled people who wish to be their customers, to learn from them, and employ them to improve their company's understanding of their diverse customer base.

Unfortunately, a large number of the disabled-friendly products are available through an institutional route. However, the need of the hour is to bring in technologies that make these products affordable for people belonging to all classes/segments of society. Thus, manufacturing companies should consider the pricing issue seriously for the benefit of the disabled.

Agreeing that price is a major issue, Orme says, The price of these products is far exceeded by the cost of losing a valuable, contributing member of the economy. But there are often quite powerful inexpensive or even free products out there, which events such as Techshare try to emphasize.

India, no doubt, has a big and untapped market for these exhibitors. But with such high prices, the manufacturers, or others concerned, can reach only a fraction of the population. The need is to look out for technologies that are inexpensive and in the reach of the people with limited resources, including those living in rural areas.

And as Orme observes: Technology isn't the answer to everything, and there are issues of cost, awareness, and training. But technology can unlock a world of possibilities.

Sandeep Sharma
sandeeps@cybermedia.co.in

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