BRAILLE RESOURCE CENTRE

About the Centre 

Bangalore University set up a Braille Resource Centre at its Central College Campus in February 2012 with the ambition of having the best assistive technologies available in the world today for its visually challenged students with a disability such as blindness and low vision studying in its post-graduate departments and affiliated colleges. The University intends to reach out to its visually impaired students to facilitate their process of pursuing higher education and enter the mainstream of society with self-confidence and dignity. The Centre further proposes to perpetuate the immense possibilities of employment for these students and to make them add tot workforce and contribute to nation building. Presently the Centre is the epicentre round 100 visually impaired students from all PG departments and its affiliated colleges. On 06/07/2022 this centre shifted to JnanaBharathi Campus, BUB. Presently, Bangalore University’s Braille Resource Centre is housed in the Snehabhavana Building, BUB.   

Objectives 

The objectives of Bangalore University’s Braille Resource Centre are to focus on supporting Bangalore University students with visual impairments by providing resources, training, and tools to improve their literacy, independence, and quality of life.

1. To facilitate the process of higher education of visually challenged students by providing assistive technology to make them self-reliant and independent.
2. To provide a resource ground for teachers /educationists to enhance their capacity to deal

        with students with visual disabilities.

3. To create an awareness among the employers about the immense possibilities and

capabilities of the students with visual disabilities if they were provided with assistive devices/software in the workplace.

4. To facilitate their employability by providing a common platform for visually challenged students and the corporate sector
5. To teach and promote the use of Braille as a primary tool for reading and writing, ensuring people with visual impairments have access to essential information.
6. To provide accessible Braille books, educational materials, and learning tools to students, teachers, and other individuals with visual impairments.
7. To provide access to Braille-related technology, such as Braille e-readers, displays, and computer software, enabling users to access digital content in Braille.
8. To assist students with visual impairments in gaining skills for independence through resources related to daily living, mobility, and employment.
9. To raise awareness about the importance of Braille literacy and advocate for accessible services and opportunities for students with visual disabilities.
10. To offer training for educators, caregivers, and professionals in the techniques and use of Braille to better support students with visual impairments.
11. To create a community where individuals with visual impairments, educators, and other stakeholders can share resources, knowledge, and experiences.

DIFFERENT UNITS OF THE CENTRE

• Electronic Reading Unit: The Centre is equipped with text-reading machines, stand- alone for non-computer users, PC-based devices for reading printed books by the blind, Screen magnification software, video magnifiers for the partially blind and those with low vision, display talking books players for listening to audiobooks created by the Centre or Sourced from other NOOs. There can be various textbooks for all classes and various courses on Arts, Commerce, Science, Management, Law and Education.
• Braille Book Production Unit:
• Books: This unit is equipped with 2 embossers or high-speed Braille printers, wherein

        English and Kannada language is translated into Braille language and printed.

• Software: The Centre has installed several software for access to reading material by the

        students.

• Pearl Instant Open Book Reading and Scanning Software: This has a portable reading camera, which scans and reads out to the students. Pearl Instant Open Book Reading and Scanning Software is a tool designed to assist individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties. It typically works with a camera-like device (such as the PEARL camera from Freedom Scientific) that captures images of printed text and converts them into speech or digital text for easy reading.
• JAWS for Windows (Job Access with Speech) is one of the most popular and widely used screen reading software programs designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It provides speech and Braille output, allowing users to interact with their computers effectively.
• Duxbury Translation Software: Duxbury Translation Software is a widely used tool for translating text into Braille. It’s designed to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired by enabling them to convert printed materials into Braille for easier reading. The software is especially helpful for educators, transcribers, and others working with Braille literacy. In this centre, we are using this software to convert/translate both English and Kannada into Braille language.
• Bonita Mouse Magnifier (poor vision reading software): The Bonita Mouse Magnifier is an assistive technology tool designed primarily for individuals with low vision. It functions as a screen magnifier and helps users read and interact with content on their computer screens by enlarging text and images.
• MAGic Large Print Keyboard: To compliment access to computers, this large print keyboard helps low vision persons to quickly perform and also use all the benefits of the Magic software on account of the 22 additional short cut buttons provided to easily view the monitor screen and letters of the keyboard to facilitate typing by them.

Career Counselling / Job Placement Unit: This unit is for providing information on different opportunities that can be pursued by visually challenged students to improve their skills and hence employability, based on their aptitude and qualifications. 

The Centre in collaboration with the NGO, National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Samarthanam Trust and ENABLE INDIA is organizing a series of programs continuously. The thrust of these programs is in the form of job profiling, computer and employability training, career workshops to create awareness of the job market based on the needs of the corporate industry, contact classes and finally placement services. 

This is a unique partnership model, where the educational institution, the NGO and the corporate sector will come together. 

The Bangalore University’s Braille Resource Centre will be a catalyst in coordinating these three-tier linkage programs.  

Facilities 

1. Financial Aid: Bangalore University has been supporting its Braille students by offering each student a scholarship of Rs. 1,500/- (for PG Students) and 1,200/- (For UG students) per month for ten months which is paid in one instalment in an academic year. The scholarship offered by the University is of great help as these students come from very poor socio-economic backgrounds and without parental care.
2. Admission 3% reservation in all PG/UG honour’s course for PWD student and
3. Free hostel facilities available.
4. UPSC and KPSC related 10 years question with answers (few subjects) soft copýs are available for Braille Student.  

Coordinator: 

Dr. Kumbinarasaiah S,   

Assistant Professor   

Dept. of Mathematics 

BUB 

Coordinator’s Message:” The Braille Resource Centre is more than just a place for learning; it is a gateway to independence and empowerment for individuals with visual impairments. By providing accessible resources, cutting-edge technology, and dedicated support, we strive to ensure that every student has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive-regardless of their level of sight.”