It’s been said,‘‘More than sight you need vision.’’ Sunday proved that it’s just as much as you need to realise a dream. The National Federation of the Blind Maharashtra (NFBM) set up its Abilities Institute of IT Management Education and Research (AIMER) at the Jagriti School for Blind Girls, Alandi, Mercal Road.
From July 1 the diploma course will be offered to 13 visually-impaired girl students. Six computers, a speech synthesis software (screen reading software), a speech recognition software, a reading machine and an electronic low vision aid have been installed to be of help to the students.
Course certificates will be awarded by ETH, NFBM and University of Pune. Vijay Bhatkar, chairman dishnet DSL inaugurated AIMER.
While the first batch will be coached free of cost, subsequent batches will charge Rs1,000. AIMER also claims that it will give out scholarships to deserving but needy students
With this unique institute NFBM has made it easier for visually-impaired girls to access an education in information technology.
The achievement though has not been easy to come by especially with the hard task of gathering funds. A total requirement of Rs five lakhs was helped with contributions from Rotary Clubs and corporate houses.
Work on AIMER started two years ago. It was husband and wife duo of Sandeep and Sakina Bedi (both visually-impaired) who along with Ramesh Gulani, president NFBM wanted to create a facility that will provide computer education and thereby ready visually-impaired girls for employment. ‘‘The idea was to allow girls to nurture abilities apart from softer skills like music, and the arts and make them capable of seeking for jobs in call centres and banks,’’ says Sandeep, who is also CEO Knowaysys Technologies. The Bedis are members of NFBM as well.
The AIMER is the second successful project for NFBM, its first being the residential Jagriti School of Blind Girls that currently has 92 students under its fold. Most students here belong to needy families and come from rural areas.
‘‘Working on this project has been a passion for me,’’ says Sakina who officiated the project as honourary project director. She adds, ‘‘It’s a moment of joy for me to see that we have been able create something for these children.’’