From this year’s Independence Day, private satellite news TV channels will have to telecast a short programme on the celebrations along with corresponding sign language interpretation in the afternoon/evening of August 15 as mandated by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
The private news channels have been told that they may either make their own programme with sign language interpretation, or, if they wish, they may carry a bulletin prepared by DD News free of cost, Amit Khare, I&B Secretary said at an event here organised by the NCPEDP Wednesday.
The Ministry bagged Special Jury NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award for its efforts in making television accessible for people with hearing disabilities. MP Rama Devi called for ensuring the disabled the access to independence and livelihoods while NCPEDP head Arman Ali said, “without accessibility, inclusion is impossible. Some of the ideas that have won this year are so futuristic that it gives us hope.”
Devanshi Joshi with Down syndrome and an employee of Future Group working in Big Bazaar, Vasant Kunj on behalf of the corporate sector expressed happiness that companies were focusing on making their spaces more inclusive which will go a long way in making the society inclusive.
Among corporate those who clinched the awards were Bleetech Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra for developing a wearable band that connects with the users’ Smartphone and converts sound signals to vibrations and visual notifications, SM Learning Skills Academy for Special Needs Private Limited, Haryana for developing an online platform, CogniAble and Noida-based NIOS for developing videos in sign language version.
Big Bazaar- Future Retail from Maharashtra and Bangaluru based Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited were awarded respectively for the project “Sab Ke Liye” which ensures accessible spaces to all including specially-abled and elderly and developing MPAS, an assistive technology device for the blind.
In Category A (Award for Persons with Disabilities) Aneesh Karma from Bulandshahar,UP, Rajesh Ketkar (Vadodara,Gujarat) and Nekram Upadhyay from New Delhi bagged award in category Aaward for persons with disabilities for their innovations to help the people with disabilities and elderly.