Odisha govt to distribute laptops to visually-impaired students

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to provide laptops to the visually-impaired students doing their graduation courses.

The laptops will be installed with JAW software that gives accessibility solution and can read information on the screen by using synthesised speech.

The laptops will be given to 120 students as part of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, said Mansi Nimbhal, the director of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities department.

Besides, the state government has lined up several activities to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

A two-day event will be held at Adivasi Ground from December 2 to 3 where different government and private organisations will set up kiosks.

An “ability marathon” will be hosted on December 3 at the Kalinga Stadium where PWDs, senior citizens, professional athletes, school and college students as well as the general public will take part.

Six Indian Paralympians will also take part in the marathon. Odia singer Sona Mohapatra will perform on the occasion along with Paralympians Giriraj Singh, Amit Saroha and Jaideep Deswal.