an online magazine from eyeway.org
an online magazine from eyeway.org
issue 10
may-june 2006
click here to browse other issues
sections in this issue: by george | focus | feature | perspectives | profile | headlines | review
Headlines : India News
other headlines sub-sections: world
news | calendar of events
Auto rickshaws now safer for visually impaired travellers
Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar; The Hindu; New Delhi
Auto rickshaws in Delhi will have metal plates bearing the registration numbers in both Braille and embossed form on the sides. The step would enable blind passengers to lodge a complaint if the driver misbehaves or refuses to carry them and will also help friends and relatives track a particular auto.
Besides making the plates in contrasting colours for the benefit of people with low vision, efforts are also on to get audiometers installed in all the electronic fare meters so that visually impaired people can hear both the distance travelled and the fare.
Delhi's Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf has approved both, the number plates (costing Rupees 25 each) as well as the audiometers (Rupees 150 each). Stating that both the All India Confederation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind are ready to provide these plates, Sanjeev Sachdeva of 'Samarthya -- National Centre for Promotion of Barrier Free Environment for Disabled People', a Delhi based N.G.O., said "This move would also send out a clear message that Delhi really cares for disabled (people)."
Other India News stories in this issue:
New software for translating Braille into Devanagari
Hi-tech cane for blind people
Goa passes policy for disabled persons
Miranda House - Moving towards accessibility
World chess meet
Blind director finds no takers for his film
Gujarat wins 13th blind cricket tournament