Gujarat launches scheme for visually challenged people

The Gujarat government has initiated 'Project Roshni' under 'Suraksha Setu Scheme' due to difficulties faced by visually impaired citizens while crossing roads.
"The project has been initiated to ensure safety, equal job opportunity and legal action for visually challenged citizens," Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Shivanand Jha said.
"Visually challenged people will be provided with sticks with passive radio frequency chips, which will activate sensors whenever the person crosses the gate of the Blind People's Association (BPA) campus" he said.
"This sensor will also send an SMS to traffic cops posted at the crossing who will assist him to cross roads," he said.

Police station will be made friendly to visually challenged people, Jha said, adding that Braille printers will be installed at police stations.
Booklets on important laws will be printed in Braille and distributed, he stated, adding that facility for free legal aid will be ensured at Vastrapur police station, under whose jurisdiction the BPA falls.
The police has decided to provide free vocational training for typing and translation to visually impaired citizens with the help of specialised software and hardware.
Once visually impaired citizens get proficient in translation and typing, the job of translation of legal documents will be handed over to them, he said.