First sound library for visually challenged inaugurated in Sangareddy

The Sangareddy district library has been made visually challenged friendly with a sound library, audio books and Braille facilities. The initiative, inaugurated by Chintha Prabhakar and P Pravinya, aims to improve access to learning for blind persons

Sangareddy: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State library system, officials have made the district library visually challenged friendly by establishing a sound library and providing facilities such as audio materials, internet browsing and computer access tailored to their needs.

The facility was inaugurated by Sangareddy MLA Chintha Prabhakar and District Collector P Pravinya during the Louis Braille Day celebrations organised on Wednesday on the library premises. The Department of Libraries has constructed a separate room on the district library premises at a cost of Rs.35 lakhs. Officials said around 3,700 blind persons in Sangareddy district could now access the library to listen to books by browsing computers.

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The computers have been installed with Job Access With Speech (JAWS) software, which reads out the content displayed on the screen.

About 10 Angel players have been provided to help the visually challenged listen to books. These players scan books available in Indian languages and convert them into audio format for users. A special printer has also been installed to print PDF books, JPEG material and physical content in Braille script, enabling students to read books or study material of their choice.

Speaking on the occasion, Chintha Prabhakar called upon the visually challenged to make optimum use of the facility. Library chairman Anjaiah, District Disabled Officer Lalitha Kumari and others were present.