Advance Technology Blind
Student Learning Center
Department of education and extension-Advanced technology blind
student learning centre, University of Pune.
University of Pune is recognized as potential of excellence and
NAAC accredited ‘A’ grade university, Prof. Narendra
Jadhav a visionary vice chancellor of the University given a
vision to establish Advanced technology blind student learning
centre under the administration of Department of education and
extension, university of Pune to impart scientific,
technological and professional Education to visually challenged
people in order to provide them equal opportunities in higher
education.
Objectives
-
To
provide disability support service for visually challenged
students studying various academic departments of
Pune university and affiliated colleges of the university
jurisdiction.
-
To
make course material accessible required for visually challenged
students and provide educational and work place solution to
them.
-
To
solve education and career related
problems of visually challenged students by undertaking various
ambitious projects such as developing book reading software's in
vernacular languages, modification of screen reading software
and other assistive technology for better use etc.
-
To
explore new possibilities and fields where visually challenged
students can make their career and work efficiently as well as
independently by collaborating our university
with
several non government organizations, private industries,
research centres and universities working in this field for
conducting collaborative research.
Facilities
The centre is equipped with state-to-the art facilities of advance
hardware's and software's necessary for visually challenged students
which create an environment for learning to visually challenged
students and assistive technology research.
The centre has two wings
A computer lab and a talking book studio.
-
Computer lab
It is a specially equipped lab consisting advance computer
systems with full net connectivity loaded with screen reader /
talking software's like JAWS, Kurzweil, talking typing teacher,
spell well, Ubuntu Linux screen reader etc specially designed
for visually challenged people to provide independent computer
operating ability and internet access.
It also consists of sophisticated equipments like Braille
printers, , book reading machine, brailler etc required for
higher education.
-
Talking book studio
It is a small studio having sound proof room consist of
audiovisual recorder and computerize daisy books creator useful
for recording books and making their cassettes and CDs.
We have following software's and hardware's facilities.
-
Hardware's
Ten computers
(Hp
Intel core 2 die 1.86 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB hard
drive, 17 inches ft screen) with full net connectivity.
2 special Linux work stations
[a] a ubundtu Linux machine loaded with special screen reader
called orca, accessible for visually challenged.
[b] a fedora Linux machine loaded with ORCA screen reader.
Tiger pro Braille embosser
A large sized Braille printer which
prints electronics text in to Braille. It also can take Braille
print outs of graph, charts, tables and mathematical text called
nimathe Braille.
Basic index d
small sized Braille printer it can take Braille
print out of electronic material.
Braille type writer
it is a small sized Braille typing machine used for fast
Braille typing.
Zoom X instant reader
it is a document reader which takes photographs of document
and convert it in to electronic text for reading.
-
Software's
JAWS for windows
it is a screen reader which provide global speech
environment to computer which enable visually challenged people
to work on computer independently.
Kerzwel 1000
it is a book
reading software which is used for scanning books and reading.
Talking typing teacher
it is a software which guide new computer user to get
familiar with key board and fast typing.
Spell well
it is a software used for spelling practice.
Courses offered by the centre
At present we are providing short term courses to needy people
including visually challenged students as well as normal people who
are related to education of visually challenged people.
We have designed a short time crash course of basic computer
operating for visually challenged students.
-
Certificate course in computer application
We are running this course in summer vacation with nominal
admission fees in the form of deposit which will be return to
them after successful completion of the course.
Apart from these courses, Students can also contact for any
special or advance training of computer science at any time in
academic year. Their need is individualized by analyzing
requirement, and course for admitting person or group of persons
is designed accordingly by our expertise in special
circumstances.
We are
implementing some schemes for benefit of visually challenged
students and functionaries working in their education.
-
Educational rehabilitation scheme
This scheme is initiated by our centre for the students who
met with disability accidentally result of which they could not
complete there education. We analyze such cases and try to find
their problems. Then their need is identified and courses are
designed accordingly by our expertise. In such courses, they are
trained to use assistive devices for independent working and
after these special courses they are encouraged to continue
their education.
-
Teacher preparation schemes for special education
The scheme is initiated by university grants commission in 1998
under the ninth educational plan for creating awareness among
teachers of integrated schools and colleges. We are planning to
implement the schemes for our teachers by organizing teacher
training programme, various seminars and workshops etc for
school teachers and colleges of Pune university jurisdiction. We
also provide special short term crash courses or part time
courses to teachers according to their need.
-
Educational and Career counseling
It is a big problem for visually challenged students to
choose their career. They have lot of apprehension and
uncertainty regarding to their future.
Students as well as their
parents are unaware that in which field they can pursue their
education and make their career effectively. Understanding need
of students, we have started educational and career counseling
at the centre. Our career experts provide educational and career
solution by analyzing student’s interest, skill and background
after discussing with them. We help students to take their
education and career related decisions by providing appropriate
knowledge about current scenario. We teach our students to
create effective resume, prepare them for interview and present
their skill Effectively.
The centre is planning to start
placement cell for visually challenged students of the
university which will communicate capabilities of differently
able students to potential employers and help differently able
student in seeking their job.
Our
complete mailing address
Advanced technology blind student learning centre,
Kher Arts building,
University of Pune,
Ganesh Khind Pune
Maharashtra,
India.
Pin 411007.
phone number
020 25601352
Contact persons
Mr. Dhananjay Bhole,
Coordinator.
Email
drbhole@unipune.ac.in
The Centre is administered by department of education and
extension, University of Pune.
Dr. Sanjay Sonavane
Professor and head,
Department of education and extension,
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan,
University of Pune,
Ganesh Khind Pune 411007.
Phone No.
020 25601301
Email :
dee@unipune.ac.in
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