New Delhi, 5 January 2006
The National Human Rights Commission was shocked to learn that blind students routinely receive their Braille textbooks towards the fag end of the academic sessions or worse still a majority do not have access to these books at all. Upon delving deep into the matter, it was found that many States and Union Territories had not established a Braille press, plainly explaining the real reason behind the non-availability. In places where it existed, obsolete technology and an inefficient distribution system together made the service as good as redundant.
Recognizing the right of blind persons to access books in Braille script, Chairperson, NHRC wrote to the Chief Ministers of all the states to ensure availability of Braille books to blind students. The Commission recommended that the State Education Boards may take steps to print books in Braille and work on proper distribution systems so that books prescribed by the Boards are available to visually impaired children at the beginning of each academic session, at the same time as their sighted counter parts.
Responding positively to the suggestions of the Commission, around 12 states and UTs have assured it of timely availability of the Braille books. The governments of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur have initiated positive steps. West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka are also amongst those who have developed the necessary capacity.
On similar lines, the Commission is working towards availability of a child-appropriate sign language to be used in the education of deaf children in the country.
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