In a commendable step towards inclusivity, Jadavpur University has introduced the 'Sparsh' software in its central library, aiming to make its vast collection of books accessible to visually impaired students. The software was officially installed on last week and is set to revolutionize how visually impaired students interact with academic resources.
Developed under the guidance of Professor Anupam Basu— currently the Raja Ramanna Chair Professor at Jadavpur University — 'Sparsh' has been designed to convert printed books into Braille.
Professor Basu shared that he, along with his students, originally developed the software during his tenure at the Computer Science Department of IIT Kharagpur. Now, this innovation will help bring Jadavpur University’s library collection into the hands of those who read by touch.
To support this initiative, an 'Accessible Library' section for visually impaired students has also been set up within the central library. At present, training sessions are being organised for the library staff to familiarize them with the use of the software. Once trained, they will assist visually impaired students in accessing and reading books using 'Sparsh'.
Vice-Chancellor Amitabh Dutta expressed his optimism about the initiative, stating, "We believe that Sparsh will be of immense support to visually impaired students in their academic journey."
Jishsu Debnath, a visually impaired PhD scholar in Bengali at the university, shared his thoughts on the new facility. Although he hasn’t used the software before, he voiced his hopes that it would significantly benefit students like him. “This initiative deserves more attention. Financial support is crucial to further develop and expand this project,” he added.
The university’s step toward inclusive education marks a significant milestone in ensuring equal access to learning for all.
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