A computer course for the visually-impaired takes place in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, May 5: The Milton Charitable Foundation for the Visually Handicapped at Bijipur here is conducting a free-of-cost computer training programme for visually challenged students.

The programme is designed to impart computer application training to visually challenged students through a speech software known as Job Access with Speech (Jaws). The software would help the students listen to a recording of what is being displayed on the computer screen.

Thirty participants, including 12 girls, are attending the 45-day training programme from 10 districts of the state, including far-off places such as Malkangiri, Koraput and Keonjhar. They have been provided with free accommodation. “Initially, the students are trained to use the computer keyboard.

“After rigorous practice, they become competent to take up tasks such as data entry,” said Harsha Chandra Ratha, vice-president of the foundation. Along with computer training, classes in communication skills in English, personality development and job-oriented competitive knowledge for these students are also being conducted at the training camp. There are separate instructors for each course. The programme, which would end on June 15, is being conducted for the second time in the state. “The first ever summer internship training programme for visually handicapped students was held last year for two months. Thirty-two students from across the state had participated in that training programme,” said G. Gopal Rao Dora, president of the Milton Charitable Foundation.

“We charge no fees for the course. But students have to deposit a sum of Rs 500 as caution money, which is refunded at the end of the programme,” he said. This year, the programme was inaugurated on May 1. Speakers, including commissioner of Berhampur Municipal Corporation Bhim Manseth, and faculty member of Lingaraj Law College, Berhampur, Jugal Kishore, who addressed the inaugural event, stressed the need for more such job-oriented training programmes for visually handicapped students.

Manseth encouraged participants who had shown interest in computers despite their disabilities.

“God has given all of you a special power. It is a very positive sign that you all are keen to operate computers. This would definitely help you all to build a great future for yourselves,” he said.