New Delhi, 5 May 2005
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, has written to the Chief Ministers/Administrators of all States/UTs expressing the Commission's concern on the reported non-availability of books in Braille for the visually impaired students studying under the State Education Board.
In his letter he stated that the Commission would like to recommend that the State Education Board may take steps to print books in Braille and work on proper distribution systems so that books prescribed by the State Board (SCERT) are available to visually challenged persons at the beginning of each academic session and such students do not suffer any hardship on that account.
Justice Anand stated that the Commission is of the view that there is a need to ensure that the printing of books in Braille go simultaneously with the printing of regular books. In order to ensure timely availability of Braille Text Books, the services of high speed computerized Braille presses could be utilized. This would ensure education in an appropriate environment for blind students, in accordance with Section 26 of the Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
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