Microsoft India on Saturday - World Disabilities Day - unveiled a set of 40 templates for most commonly used public information circulars, forms, gazettes and notifications. These templates when used will automate the process of creating accessible documents for visual, hearing and learning impaired people. With the aim of enhancing employability prospects through skill development, Microsoft also enabled Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for persons with impairments through its partners. The initiative was unveiled by Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.
The 40 templates will enable governments and businesses to have accessibility incorporated at the time of creating a document itself. The Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Office helps validate the conformity of the document to accessible norms, and highlight errors if any. For example, if a template is used to create a circular, it can easily be converted into a digital talking book or a large print-output document for a visually impaired person.
Flagship products made accessible
Microsoft will build accessibility options into products that enable everyone to personalize their PC to make it easier to see, hear, and use. Microsoft products, including flagship Windows, Office, Internet Explorer, SharePoint, Lync, as well as hardware manufactured by Microsoft, feature accessibility and personalization options. Windows 7 and Windows Vista both include the Ease of Access Center, a centralized location where the user can explore and manage accessibility options. Windows is also compatible with a wide range of assistive technology products - such as screen readers, magnifiers, and specialty hardware. Internet Explorer provides flexibility to use the browser in the way that best suits the needs and preferences of the user - including improved keyboard navigation and better support for screen reading. Office 2010 & Office 2007 are easier to navigate and more accessible, and the recent addition of ‘Save As DAISY’ add-on makes it easy to publish Word documents in an accessible format.
To drive adoption of these templates and to support any customization, Microsoft India, through its partners, will organize a minimum of two training workshops per quarter, working with relevant government ministries and departments to enable this.
The guides for educators provide information about accessibility to ensure that all students have equal access to learning. The guides for governments and businesses have information about various types of impairments and the accessible technology solutions available to ensure the needs of people with all types of abilities are met.
Employability is the goal
Employability for persons with disabilities is a key area of focus and through the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification, a globally recognized qualification, persons with disabilities can benchmark their knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office. This certification can also help employers in business and government assess a person's competency. The certification is offered through CyberLearning in India, across their 600 plus centres.
Speaking at the function, Mr. Wasnik said the government will soon introduce a new act which will be in sync with international regulations. The committee formed in this regard has submitted the draft of the new act and it is being studied by the government for a final decision.
Government is reviewing the existing act – Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, formed in 1995 – to incorporate new sections for empowering people with various disabilities and for providing them more opportunities in education and career.
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