On one side, Braille books give liberty to the visually challenged people to read and on the other hand, these books also act as a barrier because normal people don’t know how to read them. Due to this limitation, visually challenged people find themselves going to the special schools for education.
But for the first time, we have an opportunity where people with sight and visually challenged people can read the same book.
A Delhi based venture has claimed that it has found an alternative to Braille books which can be read by both categories of people with equal efficiency.
A New technique which can replace the braille
The new books are printed with a special embossing technique which can be read by a visually challenged person and at the same time do not hinder the readability of the sighted reader.
According to the creators, the new embossing technique has a lot of potential and scope in the field of mainstream education.
“They are an invention of research and development work done in-house for nearly five years. The books being introduced by us are integrated with special embossing technique which does not disturb the readability of a sighted reader and at the same time can be read by a visually impaired person by sensing the tactile braille and images through their fingers,” said Puneet Arora, co-founder of Inklude.
He further said that the product has been tested by several blind and low vision children.
He further claimed that several institutions such as:
- Blind School at the All India Confederation of the Blinds - New Delhi
- Delhi Public Library at the Blind Relief Association - New Delhi
- Xavier’s Resource Center for the Visually Impaired - Mumbai
- Akhil Bhartiya Netrahin Sangh - New Delhi
have used the product successfully.
“Children who are visually challenged are more reliant on touch or their tactile sense to experience the world. Unfortunately, braille books and aids available are not inclusive as a sighted teacher, parents can't teach a non-sighted child to read,” Arora said.
"Because of this children are separated from the mainstream. Therefore we aim to send each and every visually challenged child into mainstream school and highly advocates the concept of integrated education for social fulfillment," he added.