Date:07/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/07/stories/2009010750340200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

High-speed Braille embosser installed

Staff Reporter

The equipment has been imported from Norway at a cost of Rs.1 crore

It can emboss
440 characters
per second

Chennai: The National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) has installed a high-speed Braille embosser that would be helpful to print publications for those with visual disabilities.

The equipment has been imported from Norway at a cost of Rs.1 crore. It can emboss 440 characters per second. At the celebrations to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Louis Braille, NIVH Director I. Arivanandham said that the institute has plans to further expand its infrastructure. The operation of the high-speed embosser was also demonstrated.

Independence, dignity

“Braille provides independence and dignity to the visually-impaired. Several efforts will be taken up to popularise Braille,” he said.

Meenakshi Rajagopal, Special Commissioner for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, visited the institute.

Inter-school Braille reading and writing competitions were conducted and prizes were awarded.

S.M.A. Jinnah, secretary general of the Indian Association for the Blind, and representatives from various non-governmental organisations participated in the celebrations.