Fine-tuning the mechanics of empowerment

Projects include a punching machine, block printing machine and billing system that can be used by the differently abled.

December 22, 2014 07:59 am | Updated 09:01 am IST - CHENNAI:

IIT-M students are working with the NGO Vidyasagar to help students with disabilities make a living. Photo: M. Karunakaran

IIT-M students are working with the NGO Vidyasagar to help students with disabilities make a living. Photo: M. Karunakaran

A year ago, three IIT-Madras students – Ashish Bajaj, Sai Chaitanya Manchikatla and Venkateshwar Madasu – visited the NGO Vidyasagar and were inspired to experiment with different technologies to help students with cerebral palsy and other disabilities make a living.

Now, the founders have graduated, but a group of students continues to fine-tune the projects. These students are working under the banner of ‘Team Sahaay’ and their projects include a punching machine, block printing machine and billing system for people who have very little strength in their arms.

According to Dileep Rajendran, one of the people working on the mechanical devices, the challenge lies in the fact that people with disabilities cannot exert enough force to use a regular punching or a block printing machine. “Using a system of pulleys and levers, we have minimised the force required. Now, we are working on an automated version of the same machine,” he said. Their billing system is operated by simple hand movements.

“When our seniors visited Vidyasagar, they realised they could use their skills to come up with solutions that will help the students who are about to pass out from there,” Vishwa Sai Prathyusha, the head of Team Sahaay said.

“Our projects are aimed at people with poor fine motor skills. This year, we have formed a proper team and divided ourselves into groups to work on individual projects,” Ms. Prathyusha said.

Vydhehi Maduri, who works on the administrative side of operations, said that the team was looking to work with other NGOs as well to come up with solutions. “The idea is that we can hone our skills, while at the same time providing value to the lives of these children. As the solutions get more complicated, we will also improve our thinking and product designs,” she said.

Contact team Sahaay at prathyusha.shine

@gmail.com.

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