E-Inclusion Winner – 2008

Arpit’s Wheel

DESCRIPTION
“Arpit’s Wheel” is named after the physically challenged person called ARPIT. First time when Arpit got his hands on ”Ruby on Rails” demonstration, he wrote his first line: ”I am Arpit.” Since then Radiophony worked on developing application for using standard inexpensive joystick/wheel as input devices for severe physically challenged persons. Large size of wheel enables easier handling by persons for whom motor control is a major issue. Arpit’s Wheel gives persons with physical motor control issues access to computers and game players.

CITATION
Current designs of computer interfaces are either unsuitable or exceedingly expensive for persons with physical challenges. By modifying the action/result behaviour of a game wheel, the Arpit’s Wheel provides the user   with an intuitive and friendly interface device. It is Open Source and completely software based. Using game hardware ensures that the price of the associated device will not be raised in future just because it addresses the disabilities market. Arpit’s Wheel is an off-the-shelf inexpensive device with familiar and useful form factor. By offering a path away from traditional form factors, it opens possibilities for more appropriate form factor and functionally suitable alternatives to the mouse/keyboard.

Producer
Arun Mehta
Arpit
Vickram Crishna

Organisation
Radiophony

Location
Delhi, INDIA

Telephone
91 11 29817007

Email
amehta@radiophony.com
vvcrishna@radiophony.com

Technology/Medium
Offline

Language
English

Digital Talking Books

DESCRIPTION
The Information on Accessibility for Print Disabled project seeks to remedy the lack of accessibility to information by the print disabled, through the production and dissemination of digital talking books and provision of instruction and training in ICT. The project was developed by the DAISY Lanka Foundation (DLF), which is working towards inclusion and integration of people with print disabilities in to mainstream society, by the provision of information in alternative accessible formats. The need for this project stems from the acute dearth of reading-matter for the print-disabled community of Sri Lanka. At its conclusion, it is anticipated that the consortium will have a sizable collection of DAISY books, a website for the print disabled, the necessary and general hardware and software fo r the production of the books, and a well-trained and qualified technical staff to ensure continuation of the project.

CITATION
Information accessibility is the key to total integration of the print-disabled into mainstream society. Braille book production has been an expensive, time-consuming and labour-intensive process. Cassette books, on the other hand, have inherent shortcomings. Information on Accessibility for Print Disabled project has been trying its best to meet the specific needs of Sri Lanka’s print disabled community. It is here that Digital Talking Books (DTBs) hold special importance. The Talking Books  are being produced in Sinhala, Tamil and English, the three predominant languages of the country. What is unique is whereas in other Asian countries the concentration is mainly on school textbooks and leisure reading, in this case an equal preference is being given to the reading needs of university students and other professional people.

Producer
Anthony J. Bernard
Prof. D.P.M. Weerakkody

Organisation
The DAISY Lanka Foundation (DLF)

Location
Western Province, SRI LANKA

Telephone
94 11 2981349

Email
par-avion@sltnet.lk
dpmw@pdn.ac.lk

Technology/Medium
CD/DVD

Language
Sinhala, Tamil and English