NOVEMBER 2024, VOL 3 NO. 11

Dr. John Gardner at Raised Lines Foundation's office.

NEW HORIZONS

NOVEMBER 2024

Dear Readers, Another version of our bi-monthly newsletter with new updates and projects is up. We are delighted to share these events and projects with you and look forward to your continued support.

Dr. JOHN'S VISIT TO RLF

Dr. John Gardner, founder of ViewPlus Technologies, visited Raised Lines Foundation's office, where he explored our tactile STEM books made using ViewPlus Embossers. He appreciated the quality of our resources and engaged in discussions with the team highlighted on a promising partnership for advancing accessible educational solutions.

EMPOWER  2024

As an exhibitor, RLF showcased its innovations at the Empower conference held in Trivandrum from October 17th to 19th. Prof. M. Balakrishnan and Pulkit Sapra were invited for a talk on assistive technology, focusing on OnBoard device that enhance independent public transport access for the visually impaired.

click on the image to view more.

ONBOARD TRAININGS
RLF is making public transport more accessible for persons with visual impairments. Multiple trainings have been conducted on instructing users on how to use the device and board the bus independently. Till date, 400+ people have been trained in collaboration with SVYM in Mysore and Enable India in Bangalore. Next target is to train 900+ users and install devices in 700+ buses. The installation will complete by the end of this December.

A visually impaired individual testing and operating OnBoard device on her own.
persons with visual impairment in a hall getting training on Onboard device.

HEALTH AWARENESS POSTERS

We've developed nine tactile and UV-printed posters covering essential topics, including balanced diets, dental emergencies, sanitary pad usage, handwashing, use of fire extinguisher, first-aid for wound, etc. These posters are designed for SGT University, Gurugram to provide accessible guidance to students. Additionally, we introduced an Oral Health Education Tactile Booklet tailored for children with visual impairments. This booklet helps in understanding oral anatomy, common dental issues, and the importance of oral hygiene.

An inclusive tactile board with tactile, pint and braille to educate students about Fire Safety.
An inclusive tactile board with tactile, pint and braille to educate female students about steps to use sanitary pad.

NCERT LETTER CARDS

In-partnership with NCERT's Department of Elementary Education, We designed and printed A-Z tactile letter cards, each card features a capital letter with an associated word and it's image in tactile. The tactile representation guides children in letter formation and also build their vocabulary. First draft is prepared and sent to NCERT for testing and evaluation.

A tactile representation of Letter

TOUCH LEARN & SHINE ACROSS INDIA

Name of the School 
Supported by Beneficiaries Resources Provided
NAB,  AhemadnagarVision Aid55 Students & 14  Teachers 278 books & aids
Vision Blind School, PuneVision Aid32 Students & 4 Teachers163 books & aids
Ramakrishna Mission BBA, KolkataVision Aid
105 Students & 11 Teachers
507 books & aids
Rajkiya Andh Vidyalaya, Jodhpur
Vision Aid40 Students & 18  Teachers180 books & aids
Higher Secondary School for the VI, TNVision Aid 130 Students & 13 Teachers597 books & aids
Assisi Blind School, Kerala 
Vision Aid33 Students & 12 Teachers151 books & aids
Cuddapah Govt. School for the Blind, Andhra Pradesh  Vision Aid35 Students & 10 Teachers172 books & aids
Aluva School for the Blind, Kerala  Vision Aid45 Students & 12 Teachers207 books & aids
 Kerala School for the Blind, Kerala Vision Aid
45 Students & 10 Teachers203 books & aids
 Vocational Rehab Training Center, Ludhiana SBI Foundation & Saksham 89 Students & 10 Teachers365 books & aids
School for HI and VI Children, Shimla  SBI Foundation & Saksham33 Students & 7 Teachers127 books & aids
Institution for Children with Special Abilities, Mandi   SBI Foundation & Saksham26 Students & 6  Teachers89 books & aids

TLS WITH VISION AID

RLF with the support of Vision Aid distributed 2,458 accessible tactile books and kits to 520 visually impaired students in nine schools across the country. The students  are very happy with the resources and the fact they are now able to understand diagram based STEM concepts.

From September to October, RLF provided 581 tactile books and learning aids to 148 students across three schools selected by Saksham, complemented by hands-on training sessions. Feedback from a Teacher: “Thank you for providing these books. They will make complex concepts much clearer and spark student's interest in STEM education."

students showing their drawings on tactile coloring sheets.
Special educators of Ludhiana exploring tactile diagrams books for the first time.

INTRODUCTION TO PERIODIC TABLE

In this initiative with NCAHT, we are producing a tactile book with embossed graphics that  focus on periodic table which composes of chemical elements, arranged in order of increasing atomic number, i.e., the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom each labelled in Braille. The project is still in designing phase.

A design of periodic table with graphics and braille.
A design of  Electronic Configuration of chemical elements, arranged in order of increasing atomic number

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DONOR

We are deeply grateful to Deepti Garg and Garvit Vitee Educational Trust for their support in helping expand educational access for students at JPM Senior Secondary School for the Blind. Their generous contribution of 28 additional Science and Math tactile books will allow students to confidently pursue these subjects with accessible resources. Such contributions fuel the learner's vision to reach their full potential. Thank you for making a difference!

Raised Lines Foundation (RLF)

A non-profit startup from IIT Delhi with the sole mission of empowering students with visual impairment and enabling them to pursue subjects and careers of their choice.
What we do?

  • Design and produce tactile books covering all children books to STEM curriculum books.
  • Convert handwritten, printed and digital documents into accessible formats.
  • Manufacture teaching-learning aids and educational accessible games.
  • Conduct teacher and student training programs on use of tactile learning aids.
  • Onboard - independent bus boarding solution for visually impaired.

How Can You Help?
If you know any person with visual impairment, an organization or school who may benefit from our solutions please connect us:
[email protected], +91-8929669336
To know more about our work, Visit Our Website

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