What is SAFA ?

Screen reader software reads every thing on a computer screen for the benefit of blind persons. When a screen reader software is installed in a computer, blind persons can operate that computer like a normal person. Few special commands will give the power to operate a computer to a blind person. Normal key board and Windows operating systems can be used by the blind persons. Till recently, JAWS, an imported software at a premium price, in English, is the only screen reader software available and is used in India. Because of price and English only, many blind persons could not use computers. National Association for Blind, New Delhi, developed SAFA, Screen Access for All, a screen reader software. This software is presently usable for English, Hindi and Tamil. Very soon the modules for other Indian languages will be available. Samrita Trust is working to get Telugu module implemented soon. For more information on SAFA click herehttp://www.nabdelhi.org/NAB_SAFA

Uses of SAFA

SAFA can be used in any standard PC or laptop with Windows 2000 or XP operating System and 256 MB ram. When SAFA is installed, blind persons can learn how to operate the computer, create a document, read a document, send email and receive emails, use internet to get information like a normal person. SAFA gives power to a blind person to learn computer skills and to work on a computer like any normal person. A computer with SAFA opens up many opportunities to a blind person.

Distribution of SAFA

Samrita Trust has a programme of development of computer skills in blind students in colleges and schools. To start with, SAFA has been supplied to 20 colleges in AP. The colleges have been requested to set up computer laboratories exclusively for blind students. The colleges are expected to designate teachers to teach computer operations to blind students with the help of SAFA in the computers. In addition, Samrita Trust has plans to make SAFA available to schools with blind students, so that they can also learn computer skills like normal students. SAFA will be supplied to schools during July/August 2008.