Mathru Project Proposal 2009 10 Pravin Shankar Outline

Outline • • • History New School Building Achievements in 2008 Future Plans Budget

Mathru School for the Blind: Timeline • 2000 – – – • 2002 –

Building Construction (Site Visit – Pravin – Dec 2005)

“Asha” School (Site Visit – Pravin – May 2007)

Achievements in 2008 • • ESlate - CMU Braille Printer – IFlex Recording Studio

Braille • Easy to read but… • Difficult to Write – Written in reverse,

ESlate • Digital Stylus – Interfaced to Computer • Text 2 Speech – Speak

ESlate – Current Status • Was presented at the International Conference on Information and

Braille Printer • Donated by IFlex Solutions, Bangalore • Being used to print all

Vocational Training Center • Planned to become operational in Summer 2008 • Vocational training

Budget Proposal – 2009 -10 • Needs money for annual Administrative Expenses – For

Recording Studio • Donated by Ashraya, NJ (http: //ashrayausa. org/ - Different from Ashraya

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Mathru Project Proposal 2009 -10 Pravin Shankar

Outline • • • History New School Building Achievements in 2008 Future Plans Budget Proposal

Mathru School for the Blind: Timeline • 2000 – – – • 2002 – – • Construction completed. School moved to new premises. School named The Asha School in appreciation. ESlate successfully designed, built and tried out in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon Institute 2007 – – • Construction started. . Started 5 th grade Second Asha CNJ grant and WAH grant made ($18, 000, $10, 000) 2006 – – – • Asha CNJ issues first grant for school construction ($17, 000) Appeal made for local funds to construct dorms, kitchen, dining room. community and computer center. 2005 – – • Appeal and plans sent to Asha CNJ for funds to construct a 10 room school 2004 – – • Subsidised Civic Amenities Plot allotted By local government Appeals made for funds and services to local donors & individuals 2003 – • School started with first grade Rented premises and “kutcha” sheds. Goal: Add one grade per year. Be a 10 Grade High School by 2010 Strated 7 th grade Application made to Central Government for grant to run school. When approved Grant will pay 70% of expenses. Asha resources – Time: 3 years, Money: $35, 000, Site. Visits: 6+, resident volunteer for several months. .

Building Construction (Site Visit – Pravin – Dec 2005)

“Asha” School (Site Visit – Pravin – May 2007)

More Pictures of the School Building

Reception

Inside…

Classrooms…

Playarea…

Braille Snakes & Ladders…

Library

Computer Lab

Kitchen & Dining Area

Dormitory

Achievements in 2008 • • ESlate - CMU Braille Printer – IFlex Recording Studio Vocational Training Center

Braille • Easy to read • but…

How Braille is Written

Braille • Easy to read but… • Difficult to Write – Written in reverse, from right to left – Children need to learn mirror images of all letters – Delayed feedback • Paper needs to be removed • Longer time taken to identify mistakes

ESlate

ESlate • Digital Stylus – Interfaced to Computer • Text 2 Speech – Speak Sentences to the student • Student writes letters on stylus – Provides immediate audio feedback • Lessons and Exercises • Video Demo: http: //www. cs. cmu. edu/~nidhi/brailletutor. html

ESlate – Current Status • Was presented at the International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development, 15 -16 December 2007 in Bangalore. (Sponsored by Microsoft, IEEE, ACM, IDRC) – Mathru staff and students were invited to give a special demonstration of the Braille Tutor at the conference • Field trial of ESlate 2 at Mathru – May to Aug 2008 – Partnership with • Carnegie Mellon Technology Consulting in the Global Community program • Microsoft Research India (MSRI)

Braille Printer • Donated by IFlex Solutions, Bangalore • Being used to print all textbooks and reading material • Future plan: – Have a library of books which will be made available to any visually challenged person in the area as a borrowing library • Cost of a Braille blank: Rs 1. 30

Braille Printer

Vocational Training Center • Planned to become operational in Summer 2008 • Vocational training with residence for 20 students by Teachers (volunteers) • 5 of the 20 will be Mathru personnel/students. • 5 will be physically disabled and the remaining 10 will be selected from the visually challenged general populace • The 20 will be selected by a qualified group of selectors. • Subjects will be Screen Printing, Knitting, Book Binding, Plumbing and Electrics • Mathru is already talking to potential employers • Students will also be able to be self-employed • Besides training in these fields, the students will have daily classes in Marketing, finance, computer skills, accounting

Budget Proposal – 2009 -10 • Needs money for annual Administrative Expenses – For the year 2009/2010 they need Rs. 4, 000 (between USD 8, 000 and 8, 500). • Breakup of Budget* – Educational Expenses – Hostel Expenses – Administrative Expenses * Detailed Breakup available in Proposal – Question 43

Questions?

Recording Studio • Donated by Ashraya, NJ (http: //ashrayausa. org/ - Different from Ashraya Project of Asha CNJ!) • A Mathru teacher has been trained to operate it • Produce material that will be later made available to other visually challenged persons and institutions