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Ò PArtNerShiPS NeeDeDÓ Banes has worked for more than ten years as a specialist in ICT and access. He is currently working with developers to promote a wider range of AT solutions for Arabic speakers. He says that Mada is still in its early days but will go on to play an important role in society. Ò AT is not something that can be resolved within Qatar. We need to work with other organisations to bring the best research and development into the country and for this we are also conducting a seminar in November that will help us benchmark where Qatar is in terms of AT. By creating a need for AT, we can get vendors interested in this market which will bring more of them into the business.Ó Technology exists in English, he points out, Ò but people are not aware of it and we should aim for awareness to make technology accessible.Ó Speaking of expenses Ð that rage from the free to the exorbitant, he says Ò Some of the solutions are free to download and would cost you a few riyals. While other solutions like the Tobil requires hundred thousands of riyals. We help people find low cost equipment that meet their need. ThatÕ s why assessment is so important,Ó he says. Equipment is also given to the clients on a Ô need basisÕ . Ò We loan out the equipment. This is mostly to ad-
ideas and issues. It is also an enriching experience to learn different ways of doing business.”
Technology at hand
Anirban Lahiri, Senior Assistive Technology Specialist is one of the earliest members of Mada and is also “one of the driving forces behind the creation of the centre”. He along with Sabine Sandros, Training Specialist, presents the Resource Centre that features the interactive AT equipments. The Centre presents AT in four distinct areas – for the visu-
David Banes, Deputy Director of Mada
dress the need of the person. There has been a long history of equipments being bought and left without being used when you find out that they do not serve your purpose. Through constant assessment you can find the best piece of equipment and then buy it out. So initially the equipment is loaned to be tried out and then bought if found satisfactory.Ó He stresses: Ò What we are doing is unlocking potential. Lahiri and Habib are examples of what technology does to liberate someone with disabilities.Ó
ally impaired, hearing impaired, learning disabled and people with physical disabilities. “This is the research hub where people first come to try and find solutions that are ideal for them. Some have solutions that come off the shelf while others have to first go through a process of trial and error to see which suits them best,” says Lahiri. “Windows 7 has many features built into the system, some which many of us are not even aware of, like the voice recognition, magnifiers, screen readers etc.”
“For others who need more than this, there are specific software that can be installed. For the hearing impaired, the usual communication tool is to change voice into text. There is a whole range of software that makes this possible.” One of the software that is available, Ibsar enables blind users to read printed books and documents in electronic files, by saving and printing these texts in Braille. Ibsar is an example of software that speaks the text on a computer in both Arabic and English. “Voice Recognition is available through a software called Dragon Naturally Speaking, by which a user can enter text and control the whole computer through voice. After 40 minutes of training, the software shows around 98% accuracy. It can be used to send e-mails, write letters, take notes, browse through the web and even play games.” The solutions are very specific and sometimes tailored to meet definite needs, says Sandros.
How expensive are the solutions?
Lahiri says that most of the devices are expensive. So what is the solution for those who cannot afford the expense? “The solutions are sometimes even provided on a loan basis to those who will need it and then through constant review we customise the software,” says Lahiri. There are very few vendors in the market who sell these products, says Lahiri and that according to him is the “real challenge”.Lahiri sources his products from various vendors and hence there is no pressure on the users to buy any product. The solutions, stresses Lahiri, is the best in the world. “The funding is now from ictQatar. But we are working with our other partners, Qtel, Vodafone, QNB, to make sure that assistive technology becomes less of a burden than it is now.” Probe Lahiri about his personal battle in overcoming disabilities and he says, “It is not easy. It is always a challenge but then you learn to overcome some. And so I relate to this Centre and its needs well.” n November 10
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