Amar Jain, 18, is visually-impaired. However, that doesnt stop him from pursuing a degree at the Government Law College based in Churchgate. The only thing that demotivates him is the fact that he has to depend on a writer, while appearing for his exams.
The sprightly youth from Jodhpur, however, insists on giving his exams online without the help of a writer. Spurred by the desire to be completely independent, Jain with the help of his college lecturers has filed an application to seek an amendment to the Maharashtra government notification, which stipulates certain guidelines for the benefit of the visually impaired. The notification is applicable to senior secondary schools, colleges and universities, and states that visually-impaired persons may appear for an exam with the help of a writer, explained Jain.
However, it is possible for a visually-impaired student to give the exams online with the help of a computer software called Job Access With Speech (JAWS). Since I am well-versed with computers, I would like to have the option of giving my exams online, said Jain.
There are a number of screen-reading software in the market, which, when loaded in a computer, speech-controls all computer applications, (including whatever is on the screen), thus enabling students to access and use the computer easily. JAWS, owned by a US-based company is the most popular such software available in India.