In a major initiative, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC) launched a computer training centre here for visually challenged persons, the first such facility in Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday.
A local youth, P. Mohan Kumar, who had lost eyesight at the age of 16 and later learnt computer skills at the LVPEI, inaugurated the institute on GMR Varalakshmi campus of the LVPEI near Hanumantawaka in the presence of LVPEI founder G.N. Rao and MSIDC managing director Anil Bhansali.
The training is meant for persons who are complete blind and those with low vision and aged 12 and above.
It is based on assistive technology in the form of screen reading software such as JAWS, MAGic, Window-Eyes. Beneficiaries are taught Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet Explorer, accounting packages like Tally, and languages such as C, C++, Java, HTML, SQL.
LVPEI-Vizag director Avinash Pathengay said the new institution had set a target to train 128 students, including 32 total blind and 96 people with low vision, during the first year of its operations.
Among those who had learnt computer operations at the Hyderabad centre, nine landed jobs in Google and GE, 11 in SBI, Andhra Bank and other banks, and six in government service. The helpline set up at Hyderabad also provides guidance on rehabilitation of the visually challenged. Dr. G.N. Rao said they were among the few organisations in India running a dedicated hands-on training institute for the visually challenged with the support of assistive software. He thanked Microsoft for its gesture.
Mr. Bhansali said that as part of their corporate vision their employees contribute part of their income or service for health care or education, and the management contributes a matching amount. He said they had so far contributed over $1 billion.
