The Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, in association with IIT-Delhi’s Assistech lab, Saksham Trust and the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped launched SmartCane and PlexTalk Vachak, two assistive aids for visually impaired people, were launched recently under the Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme (ADIP) scheme of the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. ADIP provides essential aids and appliances for social, economic and vocational rehabilitation for the differently-abled.
This launch was supported by the critically acclaimed actor, Vidya Balan, who distributed 50 of these devices to the beneficiaries of the ADIP scheme.
Both these devices have reportedly been developed with the aim of keeping the cost to the end user low; with the SmartCane costing Rs 3000 (including delivery and training).
With the mandatory CSR spending, many corporations with a healthcare citizenship programme are embracing the concept of supporting social and frugal innovation.
EH News Bureau
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