Bhubaneswar, June 2: Unavailability of Braille books have been a major problem for the visually-challenged students at various schools and colleges across the state.

To solve the problem, We for You, a youth organisation, has come up with an initiative. They are recording the content of textbooks in audio format and distributing the clips among the differently-abled students.

The group members have also set up two recording studios - one near Tamando and the other near Biju Patnaik International Airport.

"We had a number of visually-challenged students in our college and often find them facing problems to understand the lessons. Braille books are available in very few numbers, and one book has to be read by a number of students in turns. We wanted to nurture an equitable and inclusive environment and, therefore, came up with the idea of providing them with easier learning opportunities," said project co-ordinator Krushna Tripathy.

Apart from a few science books, texts from all other streams are also being recorded. "After the recording is done we would edit them. We plan to finish the recording by June end," said Tripathy.

Around 15 young students and professionals are lending their voice to record textbooks for Classes VIII, IX and X.

After these, the textbooks and reference books for Plus Two and Plus Three syllabi will also be recorded. "We are carrying out the project in phases and attempt to finish the entire procedure by this August," Tripathy said.

The recorded clips will be distributed in compact discs among the institutions, in which the differently-abled students study, across the state. A few copies will also be given to various institutions to store in their libraries.

"Whenever I get time, I go to the studio and record books. It gives me immense satisfaction to be able to help towards creating a friendlier society. It has also given me an opportunity to understand the problems that the differently-abled children face every day," said Sunanda Priyadarshini, a member of the group.

Another young girl, who is volunteering for recording Yasmin Pathy, said, "I have a tight schedule but I try to devote at least a few hours in the week for her. The process is fun and is a learning experience too."

Disability rights activist Jitendra Biswal said such programmes would help the differently-abled who are also underprivileged to lead a confident life. "Youngsters should join hands and come up with such innovative ideas to bring smiles on hundreds and thousands of such kids," said Biswal.