DST supported assistive tools to combat challenges faced by Divyangjan

The Department of Science and Technology has taken several initiatives to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among Divyangjan and Elderly and identified various challenges faced by them for finding technological solutions.

The Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of DST has supported organizations that have been instrumental in developing various assistive tools, technologies, and techniques through its programme on Technology Interventions for Disabled and Elderly (TIDE).

The programme aims to create inclusiveness and universal accessibility for Divyangjan and Elderly.

Under this programme, an e-Tool to create awareness and impart health and hygiene-related information along with education and entertainment to overcome the loneliness of the persons with intellectual disabilities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic is used. It was developed by Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai.

This will help persons with Intellectual Disability to learn with fun through Tabs and mobiles. The e-Tool can also be converted to other vernacular languages and the Beta Version of the e-tool is being used by 200 specially-abled children.