The Centre for Internet and Society
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Mobile Apps Are Excluding Millions Of Indians Who Want To Use Them
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-september-22-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-mobile-apps-are-excluding-millions-of-indians-who-want-to-use-them
<b>If someone were to ask you how many apps you use in a day, you might need to stop and count. You use apps to book cabs, to order groceries, make payments online, buy diapers, connect with friends... the list goes on. In fact apps, are becoming so intrinsic to daily life that without one handy you may have to think twice about how to complete a transaction.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The article was published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nirmita-narasimhan/mobile-apps-are-excluding-millions-of-indians-who-want-to-use-th/">Huffington Post</a> on September 22, 2016.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Apps are uncomplicated, easy to use, at your finger tips and quick. So logically, everyone who has a smartphone should be using them, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Much as they would like to, millions of persons living with disabilities are unable to use apps to fulfil their daily living needs. This is because most apps are not accessible to users with a visual disability.</p>
<div class="desktop-only ad_spot" id="entry_paragraph_2" style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<blockquote class="pull-quote" style="text-align: justify; "><span class="quote">With about 30% of the blind population of the world living in India, it's imperative for service providers to give more thought to universal design and accessibility standards. </span></blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In order for an app to be accessible for a blind user, it should be readable by a screen reader -- software which reads out whatever appears on the screen. For it to function effectively, elements on web pages and applications should be properly labelled, otherwise the software will be unable to decipher what it is, not having any cognitive abilities like human beings. It will merely read out the element out as "button" or "graphic".</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Here I will look at five very popular apps relating to food, groceries, transportation and mobile bill payment and banking to see how accessible they are for people with disabilities. These apps were tested using Talk Back, an open source Android screen reader.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">1. Swiggy</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The first app we looked at was Swiggy, which is used to order food from nearby restaurants. Here, the first screen, which shows the discounts/offers available, uses a graphics banner without alternative text, which cannot be deciphered by a screen reader. Another issue is inaccessible navigation. For instance, though we can select a food category like "soup", choosing a particular type of soup is not possible as the focus simply stays on the main category. This means a screen reader cannot read the rest of the information, making it impossible for a visually challenged person to order food.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">2. Big Basket</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Then we tried Big Basket to order some groceries. One of the issues we found included unlabelled banners; also, the continuous scrolling of the banner, which makes the screen reader try to constantly read the next unlabelled graphic, renders the app practically unusable. When we navigated to the list of products available, only their names were readable and the focus could not be shifted to information like price and quantity. This means the user can add items to the basket, but has no way of knowing the price or deciding the quantity, which obviously makes the app a no-go.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">3. Ola</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The taxi-hailing app Ola is fairly accessible, with some scope for improvement. The button to pinpoint the location is not labelled, and while trying to select a cab category the focus moves away automatically if there is no action in a few seconds. Hence, a person with vision impairments may need some assistance to use the app.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">4. MyAirTel</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This app for Airtel customers was found to have limited usability, with several accessibility issues. Many buttons, including <i>Settings </i>and <i>Information</i> are not labelled and hence are not readable by screen readers. The offers and discounts banner is also not labelled and keeps on moving, sending the screen reader into a loop saying "graphic". However, viewing unbilled/billed amounts and paying bills is easy, as those screens are well labelled and use minimal graphic controls.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">5. ICICI - Pockets</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This digital wallet app from ICICI bank was tested using an ICICI bank internet banking login and unfortunately found to be completely inaccessible for a person using a screen reader. There is no screen reader support and consequently no auditory feedback when using slides or touching the screen. One can tap and access the menus/options but they are not focusable and are not announced by the screen reader.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Over the past few years we have seen how corporates have embraced technological innovations and helped better the lives of common Indians. However, a more inclusive approach will help people with disabilities to enjoy the best technology has to offer, and lead a more independent life. It would be pertinent to mention at this point that the inaccessibility of apps is not a phenomenon which is particular to the ones reviewed above, but a common feature across stakeholder groups, including private and government agencies. With about 30% of the blind population of the world living in India, it's imperative for service providers engaging consumers through information and communication technologies to give more thought to universal design and accessibility standards. It would truly make a difference in the lives of many Indians.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-september-22-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-mobile-apps-are-excluding-millions-of-indians-who-want-to-use-them'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-september-22-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-mobile-apps-are-excluding-millions-of-indians-who-want-to-use-them</a>
</p>
No publishernirmitaAccessibility2016-09-24T16:01:45ZBlog EntryWhere Are There So Few Books For The Print-Impaired?
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-november-3-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-where-are-there-so-few-books-for-print-impaired
<b>India publishes approximately 90,000 books each year in 24 different languages. We have over 16,000 publishers, and are one of the top nations for English book publishing in the world. Clearly we are a nation which values and fosters a culture of reading and passing on knowledge in different domains ranging from literature, to yoga, language, education, science, fiction and many others. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This article was <a class="external-link" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nirmita-narasimhan/where-are-there-so-few-books-for-the-print-impaired/?utm_hp_ref=in-">published in the Huffington Post</a> on November 3, 2016.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We are also the world's second most populous nation with an extremely large population with disabilities, including persons with print impairments. However, the total number of books accessible to the print impaired in India is only 19,000, a fraction of what is available yearly to the general public. How is it that despite our prowess in publishing and technology, persons with print impairments in India remain deprived of access to books and other forms of information which are key to an inclusive and fulfilling life?</p>
<blockquote class="quoted" style="text-align: justify; ">There are presently approximately 19,000 books converted till date, a pathetic contrast to the 90,000 books published just in India every year.</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Before going further into this question, let us understand the term "print disability". Very broadly, print-impaired persons are those who cannot access printed material due to some form of disability, such as blindness or low vision, dyslexia, autism etc. For these persons to be able to read, the material needs to be converted into some other format such as Braille or accessible electronic formats which can be read using some assistive device like a screen reader or e-book reader, fitted in a laptop, mobile or stand alone device. For assistive technology to be able to read the content, it needs to conform to universal standards such as Unicode for Indic font or EPUB 3.0.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; ">The challenges</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Until 2012, one of the biggest hurdles to access printed content for the print-disabled was the fact that they had to obtain permission from the copyright holder of the work, every time they wanted to convert a book into audio/ Braille/ other formats. This was often unsuccessful, time consuming and required resources beyond the means of most blindness organizations, who could convert only a bare minimum of books, mostly excerpts from school text books for their readers. After over a decade of sustained advocacy, the Government included section 52 (1)(zb) in the Indian Copyright Act, a fair use exception which permitted conversion of copyrighted works into any accessible format for the benefit of a person with a disability on a non-profit basis. For profit, conversion is permitted on certain terms. This considerably opened up the world of books for persons with print impairments in India. In September 2016, the <a href="http://www.worldblindunion.org/english/news/Pages/The-Treaty-of-Marrakesh.aspx">Marrakesh Treaty for the Visually Impaired</a> also came into force, which means that cross-border sharing of accessible books can happen between countries which have ratified the Treaty.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">However, despite these measures, the availability of books remains abysmal. While the legal issues have been sorted out to a large extent, the practical situation is harder to deal with and there are significant hurdles in creation and dissemination as well as equipping users to read accessible books.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Firstly, organizations serving the print-impaired do not have the bandwidth to undertake large scale conversions of each and every book that gets published. At present, organizations have to spend considerable time and resources converting content into an accessible electronic format before they can make it available to end users. Consider this, the cost of typing out one page of a regional language like Telugu is approximately ₹30 So it would cost ₹3000 to type out a 100-page Telugu book, in addition to the price already paid to purchase the book. Apart from the unaffordability, the lack of equipment and personnel necessitates conversion being carried out in a very limited manner and mostly for books which are critical for studies and in high demand, since state boards do not provide accessible versions of school text books.</p>
<blockquote class="quoted" style="text-align: justify; ">The simplest way to address accessible book creation would be for publishers to adopt EPUB 3.0 and ensure that books are "born accessible"...</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">While the Daisy Forum of India, along with the Government of India recently opened an online accessible digital library called the <a href="https://library.daisyindia.org/NALP/welcomeLink.action">Sugamya Pustakalaya</a>, it needs to be populated with accessible content. There are presently approximately 19,000 books converted till date, a pathetic contrast to the 90,000 books published just in India every year. Even international organizations such as Bookshare which have been expending millions to convert books in different countries have only succeeded in making 500,000 accessible books available in all, and these too are not equally available to persons in every country due to copyright issues.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The other challenge is to equip each and every print-impaired person with a device such as a laptop or mobile phone on which he/ she can read and work with the book. Of course, merely providing devices is pointless—appropriate training in how to use them is essential.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There are also issues of inadequate distribution networks to reach out to print impaired persons in urban and remote parts of India, which still need to be addressed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Apart from the challenges specific to creating and disseminating accessible books, other digitization activities can also add to the problem. For instance, the <a href="http://www.dli.ernet.in/">Digital Library of India project</a>, a spectacular effort to digitize books of all genres, is said to have a library of 550,603 books including several really old manuscripts and historical books. However, all of these are scanned and saved as inaccessible image files, rendering them of no use to the print-impaired.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Another problem is in the case of Indian language content which is often created in a nonUnicode font, making it unreadable for persons using screen readers.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; ">How can we improve the situation?</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The simplest way to address accessible book creation would be for publishers to adopt EPUB 3.0 and ensure that books are "born accessible" since they anyway produce a digital file of a book before bringing it out in print. This would obviate the entire cost, time and effort spent on conversion. Also, selling accessible e-versions to the print impaired could be a huge business opportunity for publishers, considering the large market for such books in India and globally. More information on this can be obtained from <a href="http://www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/portal/en/index.html">Accessible Book Consortium</a> or by writing to <a href="mailto:info-india@bookshare.org">BookShare</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We also need to ensure all digitization activities consider accessibility requirements and create resources that conform to accessibility standards.</p>
<blockquote class="quoted" style="text-align: justify; ">We have the law, the technology, the books and the people, but need a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders... to bring all of these together.</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">On the technology front, an NGO-driven project over the past four years has now made text to speech available for several Indian languages using the open source text to speech engine e-Speak, which works with both laptops and Android phones. The government, with institutions like the IIT, is also driving initiatives to develop text to speech and optical character recognition (OCR) software for Indian languages. However, there is some way to go before these become available to end users.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">To sum up, we have the law, we have the technology, the books and the people, but need a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders—the government, publishers, educational institutions and NGOs—to bring all of these together, so that every print-impaired person in India can enjoy the right to read.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-november-3-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-where-are-there-so-few-books-for-print-impaired'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/huffington-post-november-3-2016-nirmita-narasimhan-where-are-there-so-few-books-for-print-impaired</a>
</p>
No publishernirmitaAccessibility2016-11-04T01:20:57ZBlog EntryCommunication technology opens 'doors' for everyone, not only people with disabilities
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/the-hill-john-d-kemp-and-brandon-m-macsata-october-13-2014-communication-technology-opens-doors-for-everyone-not-only-people-with-disabilities
<b>Today, most Americans overlook improvements made since the dawn of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) in 1990.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The article by John D. Kemp and Brandon M. Macsata was <a class="external-link" href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/220415-communication-technology-opens-doors-for-everyone-not-only">published in the Hill</a> on October 13, 2014. Dr. Nirmita Narasimhan's report is mentioned.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Today, most Americans overlook improvements made since the dawn of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") in 1990. Sidewalk ramps…automatic door openers…adjustable vanity mirrors…and automatic lighting and fixture controls were all designed to help make the "physical" world more accessible for and useable by all people, including individuals with disabilities. Now, isn't it time we opened doors to the "virtual" world, and information and communication technology ("ICT")? <br /> <br /> Since 1998, federal agencies have been required by law to make their electronic ICT accessible to people with disabilities. Better known as <a href="http://www.section508.gov/Section-508-Of-The-Rehabilitation-Act."><b>"Section 508"</b> </a>(of the Rehabilitation Act), it mandates "individuals with disabilities who are Federal employees to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of the information and data by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities." [1] <br /> <br /> Accessible ICT is an evolving process, evidenced by the United States Access Board, which monitors Section 508 compliance, updating its standards, as well as other telecommunications accessibility guidelines. The House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman, Darrell Issa, has introduced legislation calling for the designation of the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in all federal Departments, including significant changes to the management of information technology. This legislation passed the House of Representatives by voice vote, with similar legislation pending in the Senate. <br /> <br /> Congress is currently faced with countless legislative proposals focusing on IT, ranging from healthcare, Veterans benefits, telecommunications and education, to name a few. <br /> <br /> But more needs to be done in both the public and private sectors. <br /> <br /> Wall Street and Main Street are both being re-defined by technology. The potential for our emerging "digital economy" is endless, if that technology is made more accessible. <br /> <br /> Consider this: CTIA recently reported that the mobile data traffic more than doubled last year! [2] We know that people with disabilities are yearning to leverage accessible technologies in their everyday lives. <br /> <br /> Whereas there have been many improvement in accessibility features on smart phones and mobiles devices, there is a still a long way to go. A recent report, authored by Nirmita Narasimhan, Program Manager at the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), and Axel Leblois, founder and Executive Director of G3ict, summarized the challenge: <br /> <br /> "Senior citizens and people with physical or mental disabilities are often unable to access mobile phones because the equipment lacks the necessary accessibility features or because the price of the adapted phones and services remain unaffordable. Considering that 15 per cent of the world's population, or over one billion people, have a disability that affects their access to modern communications, the commercial opportunities for mobile service providers, manufacturers and smart phone application developers are consequently substantial." With so much of our daily lives dependent on mobile devices and the Internet, it is time that we ushered in an "accessible technology renaissance."[3] <br /> <br /> Aside from being the "socially responsible" thing to do, it also makes good business sense! In the first quarter of 2013, e-commerce expenditures reached 50.18 billion U.S. dollars.[4] Worldwide, it is estimated that the total value of e-commerce revenue topped $1.2 trillion in U.S. dollars.[5] <br /> <br /> Maybe the more pertinent question to ask is, "How can we NOT afford to make ICT more accessible for people with disabilities?" <br /> <br /> Ironically, despite its increasing relevance in our everyday lives, the World Wide Web is largely inaccessible for people with disabilities. Many websites are lacking "ALT Tags," which are designed to help screen readers used by people who are blind or visually impaired identify and explain images, graphs and charts. Yet, missing ALT Tags are only the tip of the iceberg. <br /> <br /> Last year, Walmart had over 59 million unique monthly visitors to its websites. As large as that number may seem, it pales in comparison to Amazon and Ebay, with 149 million and 91 million monthly unique visitors, respectively.[6] These companies, and many more - such as Deque, IBM and Microsoft - are investing in accessible ICT because they understand its inherent business and social value. <br /> <br /> Ironically, just as people without disabilities benefit from physical accessibility improvements, they are already benefitting from accessible ICT. According to the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), 80 percent of people using closed captions are not deaf or hard of hearing.[7] <br /> <br /> What is accessible technology renaissance? It is one whereby we envision every single individual, regardless of disability, can fully access the modern marvels of technology. Technology is what drives our economy. Technology is what links our communities. Technology is what keeps us connected to the world around us. That is why it should be accessible to everyone.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[1] Section 508 Of The Rehabilitation Act. <a href="http://section508.gov/" target="_blank">Section508.gov</a>. <a href="http://www.section508.gov/Section-508-Of-The-Rehabilitation-Act" target="_blank"> http://www.section508.gov/Section-508-Of-The-Rehabilitation-Act </a> . <br /> <br /> [2] Mobile Data Traffic More Than Doubled Last Year, According to CTIA. Roll Call TechnoCRAT. June 17, 2014. <br /> <br /> [3] Making mobile phones and services accessible for persons with disabilities. A joint report of ITU - The International Telecommunication Union and G3ict - The global initiative for inclusive ICTs. August 2012. <br /> <br /> [4] Statistics 2013. E-Commerce Revenues. September 20, 2013. <br /> <br /> [5] Statistics 2013. E-Commerce Revenues. September 20, 2013. <br /> <br /> [6] Statistics 2013, E-Commerce Revenues, September 20, 2013. <br /> <br /> [7] Did You Know? 80 Percent of People Who Use Closed Captions Are Not Hard of Hearing. CaptionsforYouTube. June 6, 2014.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i> Kemp is president and CEO of The Viscardi Center, and Macsata is general consultant of the National Business and Disability Council (NBDC) at The Viscardi Center. </i></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/the-hill-john-d-kemp-and-brandon-m-macsata-october-13-2014-communication-technology-opens-doors-for-everyone-not-only-people-with-disabilities'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/the-hill-john-d-kemp-and-brandon-m-macsata-october-13-2014-communication-technology-opens-doors-for-everyone-not-only-people-with-disabilities</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccessibility2014-11-04T16:36:43ZNews ItemOctober 2014 Bulletin
http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2014-bulletin
<b>Welcome to the tenth issue of the newsletter (October 2014).</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We at the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) welcome you to the tenth issue of the newsletter (October 2014). Archives of our newsletters can be accessed at: <a href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters</a></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; ">Highlights</h2>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> CIS sent its <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-to-rights-of-persons-with-disablities-bill-2014">comments and recommendations</a> on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014. It was submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee in October 2014. </li>
<li> CIS has published the <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/central-guidelines-and-schemes">Central Guidelines and Schemes</a>. </li>
<li> CIS was one of the signatories of a <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/letter-to-prime-minister-on-indo-us-bilateral-relations-on-intellectual-property">letter</a> sent to the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi sharing its concerns on India's position on intellectual property, particularly in the context of bilateral relations between the United States of America and India. The letter was sent on October 22, 2014. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In 2013, the Indian Patent Office released Draft Guidelines for the Examination of Computer Related Inventions, in an effort to clarify some of the ambiguity. Shashank Singh <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/guidelines-for-examination-of-computer-related-inventions">analyses</a> the various responses by the stakeholders to these Guidelines and highlights the various issues put forth in the responses.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Subhashish Panigrahi wrote an op-ed in <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/subhashish-panigrahi-october-13-2014-editorial-in-samaja">the Samaja</a> (Odia daily) on the hurdles that the Odia language has been facing and the potential aspects of the language including it being used massively on the Internet, Wikipedia and other media platforms. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>International Telecommunications Union is hosting its Plenipotentiary Conference this year in South Korea. India introduced a new draft resolution on ITU's Role in Realising Secure Information Society. The Draft Resolution has grave implications for human rights and Internet governance. Geetha Hariharan <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/good-intentions-going-awry-i-why-india2019s-proposal-at-the-itu-is-troubling-for-internet-freedoms"> analyses </a> this.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Vipul Kharbanda <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/dna-database-for-missing-persons-and-unidentified-dead-bodies">analyses</a> the possible implications of the public interest litigation that has been placed before the Supreme Court petitioning for the establishment of a DNA database in respect to unidentified bodies in his latest blog entry. </li>
<li> In a blog post published in Lila Interactions P.P.Sneha <a href="http://cis-india.org/raw/lila-inter-actions-october-14-2014-rethinking-conditions-of-access">explores</a> the possibilities of redefining the idea of access through the channels of education and learning. </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Job</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/jobs/programme-officer-institutional-partnership">Programme Officer</a> (Access to Knowledge - Institutional Partnerships): CIS is seeking applications for the post of Programme Officer for its Access to Knowledge (A2K) Programme. The position will be based in its Bangalore office. Programme Officer will collaboratively work with the A2K Team and would report to the Programme Director, Access to Knowledge at CIS. </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility and Inclusion</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Under a grant from the Hans Foundation we are doing two projects. The first project is on creating a national resource kit of state-wise laws, policies and programmes on issues relating to persons with disabilities in India. CIS in partnership with CLPR (Centre for Law and Policy Research) compiled the National Compendium of Policies, Programmes and Schemes for Persons with Disabilities (29 states and 6 union territories). The updated draft is being reviewed by the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. The draft chapters and the quarterly reports can be accessed on the <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/national-resource-kit-project">project page</a>. The second project is on developing text-to-speech software for 15 Indian languages. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►NVDA and eSpeak</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Monthly Update</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/october-2014-nvda-report.pdf">October 2014 Report</a> (Suman Dogra; October 31, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Other</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Submission</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-to-rights-of-persons-with-disablities-bill-2014"><b> </b>Comments to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill </a> , 2014 (Nirmita Narasimhan and Anandhi Viswanathan; October 30, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/central-guidelines-and-schemes">Central Guidelines and Schemes</a> (Anandhi Viswanathan, October 14, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/the-legal-framework-for-enforcement-of-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities"> The Legal Framework for Enforcement of Rights of Persons with Disabilities </a> (CLPR; October 14, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Media Coverage</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/the-hill-john-d-kemp-and-brandon-m-macsata-october-13-2014-communication-technology-opens-doors-for-everyone-not-only-people-with-disabilities"> Communication technology opens 'doors' for everyone, not only people with disabilities </a> (John D. Kemp and Brandon M. Macsata, The Hill, October 13, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the Access to Knowledge programme we are doing two projects. The first one (Pervasive Technologies) under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is for research on the complex interplay between pervasive technologies and intellectual property to support intellectual property norms that encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The second one (Wikipedia) under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/letter-to-prime-minister-on-indo-us-bilateral-relations-on-intellectual-property"><b> </b>Letter to the Prime Minister on Indo-US Bilateral Relations on Intellectual Property </a> (Nehaa Chaudhari; October 22, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/guidelines-for-examination-of-computer-related-inventions"> Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions: Mapping the Stakeholders' Response </a> (Shashank Singh; October 29, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/subhashish-panigrahi-october-13-2014-editorial-in-samaja"><b> </b>ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷା ବିକାଶରେ ପ୍ରତିବନ୍ଧକ ଓ ସମ୍ଭାବନା </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, Samaja; October 13, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/bharat-majhi-writings-now-available-under-cc-license"> Bharat Majhi Writings Now Available Under a Creative Commons License </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi; October 14, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/global-voices-subhashish-panigrahi-october-18-2014-more-than-400-million-people-await-launch-of-odia-wikisource"> More Than 40 Million People Await the Launch of Odia Wikisource </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, Global Voices and Wikimedia Blog; October 21, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/ramakrushna-nanda-four-books-under-cc-license"> Odia Littérateur Ramakrushna Nanda's 4 Books Now Available Under a Creative Commons License </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi; October 22, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/open-source-subhashish-panigrahi-october-22-2014-open-access-platform-to-save-the-odia-indian-language"> Open Access Platform to Save the Odia Indian Language </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, Opensource.com; October 22, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/odia-wikisource-goes-live">Odia Wikisource Goes Live!</a> (Subhashish Panigrahi; October 26, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/samskrita-vaibhavam">Samskrita Vaibhavam</a> (Sanskrit Wiki Outreach Program) (Shubha and Sayant Mahato; October 30, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/tulu-wikipedia-workshop-cum-editathon-at-udupi">Tulu Wikipedia Workshop cum Editathon at Udupi</a> (Dr. U.B.Pavanaja, October 31, 2014). The event was covered by <a href="http://v4news.com/enliven-the-tulu-viki-fidia-first-and-then-add-tulu-to-the-8th-schedule-dr-ug-pavanaja-bangalore-rep-in-udupi/"> V4News.com </a> and <a href="http://www.mangaloretoday.com/newsbriefs/2-Day-Workshop-on-Tulu-in-internet.html">Mangalore Today</a>. </li>
<li> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/converting-from-non-unicode-nudi-baraha-font-encoding-to-unicode-kannada"> Converting from nonUnicode (Nudi, Baraha, ...) font encoding to Unicode Kannada </a> (Dr. U.B.Pavanaja; October 31, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Events Co-organized</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/sangeet-baithak">Sangeet Baithak: A Hindustani Music Resource Donation Event in Mumbai</a> (Organized by CIS-A2K and Khayal Trust; Shivaji Park, Dadar, Mumbai; October 7, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/india-women-in-science-wiki-edit-a-thon">Indian Women in Science Wiki edit-a-thon</a> (Organized by IndoBioScience and CIS-A2K; Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; October 11, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/ada-lovelace-edit-a-thon-2014">Ada Lovelace Edit-a-thon 2014</a> (Organized by IndoBioScience and CIS-A2K; Urban Solace; October 14, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">News and Media Coverage</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">CIS-A2K team gave its inputs to the following media coverage:</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <a href="http://v4news.com/enliven-the-tulu-viki-fidia-first-and-then-add-tulu-to-the-8th-schedule-dr-ug-pavanaja-bangalore-rep-in-udupi/"> Enliven the Tulu Viki Fidia first and then add Tulu to the 8th Schedule : Dr.UG Pavanaja, Bangalore Rep. in Udupi </a> (V4News.com; October 15, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/mangalore-today-october-17-2014-wikipedia-can-establish-tulu-in-a-wider-way"> Wikipedia can establish Tulu in a wider way </a> (Mangalore Today; October 17, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/the-hindu-renuka-phadnis-october-19-2014-wikipedia-editathon-attempts-to-raise-awareness-of-the-contribution-of-indian-women-to-science"> Pushing women scientists </a> (Renuka Phadnis; Hindu; October 19, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/karnataka-muslims-nisar-ahmed-syed-october-22-2014-wiki-media-foundation-keen-on-developing-urdu-wikipedia"> Wiki Media Foundation keen on developing Urdu Wikipedia </a> (Nisar Ahmed Syed; October 22, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/siasat-daily-october-24-2014-wiki-media-foundation-keen-on-developing-urdu-wikipedia"> Wiki Media Foundation keen on developing Urdu Wikipedia </a> (Siasat Daily; October 24, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/barcamp-bangalore">Barcamp Bangalore</a> (Organized by SAP Labs; Bangalore; October 12, 2014). Dr. U.B.Pavanaja and Rahmanuddin Shaik took part in the event. </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Privacy</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of our Surveillance and Freedom: Global Understandings and Rights Development (SAFEGUARD) project with Privacy International we are engaged in enhancing respect for the right to privacy in developing countries. We have produced the following outputs during the month although these may not be part of the SAFEGUARD project:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/gujarat-high-court-judgment-on-snoopgate-issue"><b> </b>The Gujarat High Court Judgment on the Snoopgate Issue </a> (Vipul Kharbanda; October 27, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/dna-database-for-missing-persons-and-unidentified-dead-bodies"> DNA Database for Missing Persons and Unidentified Dead Bodies </a> (Vipul Kharbanda; October 31, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Upcoming Event</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/cpdp-2015">CPDP 2015</a> : The eighth international conference on computers, privacy and data protection will be held in Brussels from January 21 to 23, 2015. CIS is a moral supporter of CPDP. </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/training-for-internet-governance-activists"><b> </b>Training for Internet Governance Activists </a> (Organized by Global Partners Digital, UK; Cambridge; September 23 - 24, 2014). Geetha Hariharan attended the event. <i>The event was held in September and the details published in October</i>. </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/india-conference-cyber-security-and-cyber-governance"> The India Conference on Cyber Security and Cyber Governance </a> (Organized by FICCI and CYFY; October 15 - 17, 2014; New Delhi). CIS was a knowledge partner. Sunil Abraham was a panelist in the session "Privacy is Dead". </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/expert-consultation-on-cyber-security-justice-and-governance"> Expert Consultation on Cyber Security, Justice and Governance </a> (Organized by Hague Institute for Global Justice, Observer Research Foundation and STIMSON; October 18, 2014). Sunil Abraham was a speaker in the session "Internet Access, Freedom Online, and Development in the Global South". </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Free Speech</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/good-intentions-going-awry-i-why-india2019s-proposal-at-the-itu-is-troubling-for-internet-freedoms"> Good Intentions, Recalcitrant Text - I: Why India's Proposal at the ITU is Troubling for Internet Freedoms </a> (Geeta Hariharan; October 28, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/good-intentions-recalcitrant-text-2013-ii-what-india2019s-itu-proposal-may-mean-for-internet-governance"> Good Intentions, Recalcitrant Text - II: What India's ITU Proposal May Mean for Internet Governance </a> (Geeta Hariharan; November 1, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><br /> <a href="http://cis-india.org/news">News & Media Coverage</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">CIS gave its inputs to the following media coverage:</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/washington-post-october-9-2014-rama-lakshmi-is-india-the-next-frontier-for-facebook"> Is India the next frontier for Facebook? </a> (Rama Lakshmi; Washington Post; October 9, 2014). </li>
<li> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/financial-express-october-23-2014-j-anand-if-mncs-make-early-inroads-they-will-keep-market-share"> If MNCs make early inroads, they will keep market share: Sunil Abraham, CIS </a> (J.Anand; Financial Express; October 23, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw/digital-humanities">Digital Humanities</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">CIS is building research clusters in the field of Digital Humanities. The Digital will be used as a way of unpacking the debates in humanities and social sciences and look at the new frameworks, concepts and ideas that emerge in our engagement with the digital. The clusters aim to produce and document new conversations and debates that shape the contours of Digital Humanities in Asia:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/lila-inter-actions-october-14-2014-rethinking-conditions-of-access">Rethinking Conditions of Access</a> (P.P.Sneha, Lilainteractions; October 15, 2014). </li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Centre for Internet and Society is a non-profit research organization that works on policy issues relating to freedom of expression, privacy, accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge and IPR reform, and openness (including open government, FOSS, open standards, etc.), and engages in academic research on digital natives and digital humanities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K"> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Facebook group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k">https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> Visit us at:<a href="https://cis-india.org/"> </a> <a href="https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge</a> </li>
<li> E-mail: <a href="mailto:a2k@cis-india.org">a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer / citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to collaboratively engage with Internet and society and improve our understanding of this new field. To discuss the research collaborations, write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at<a href="mailto:sunil@cis-india.org">sunil@cis-india.org</a> or Nishant Shah, Director - Research, at <a href="mailto:nishant@cis-india.org">nishant@cis-india.org</a>. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia, write to T. Vishnu Vardhan, Programme Director, A2K, at <a href="mailto:vishnu@cis-india.org">vishnu@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i> CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects. </i></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2014-bulletin'>http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2014-bulletin</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeAccessibilityInternet GovernanceDigital HumanitiesOpenness2014-11-23T16:40:23ZPageTraining in Use of eSpeak with Malayalam
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/events/training-in-e-speak-malayalam
<b>The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) in partnership with DAISY Forum of India (DFI) and Chakshumathi Assistive Technology Centre, Trivandrum cordially invites all computer teachers for persons with visual impairment for a two day training in the use of eSpeak Malayalam with NVDA for reading and writing in Malayalam.</b>
<h3>Training in the use of eSpeak with NVDA</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Training in the use of Open Source Screen readers like NVDA will be a focal element of the event. As NVDA with the help of eSpeak provides support for eight Indian languages it will be promoted as a reading tool. The aim of the training is as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>The candidate should be able to read e-text using NVDA and eSpeak in any one of the eight Indian languages currently supported.</li>
<li>The candidate should be able to download accessible content from the various platforms and repositories of accessible material.</li>
<li>The candidate should be able to use computers as a knowledge searching tool.</li>
<li>The candidate should be able to type using either phonetic, In script or traditional keyboards. </li>
</ul>
<p>The training will be provided by experts from CIS and DFI.</p>
<h3>Who will benefit?</h3>
<p>The event is targeted at promoting the use of eSpeak with NVDA amongst senior computer teachers for persons with visual impairment.</p>
<h3>Facilities</h3>
<p>Accommodation: Seperate accommodation will be provided for ladies and gents.<br />Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided, courtesy Chakshumati.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/events/training-in-e-speak-malayalam'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/events/training-in-e-speak-malayalam</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaTrainingeSpeakAccessibilityNVDAEvent2014-11-30T11:50:38ZEventNovember 2014 Bulletin
http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/november-2014-bulletin
<b>We at the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) welcome you to the eleventh issue of the newsletter (November 2014). </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters"></a> </small> <small> </small></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><small> Highlights </small><small></small></h2>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><small>On 13 November, 2014, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion had released a Call for Suggestions for India's proposed National IPR Policy. <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/comments-on-proposed-ip-rights-policy-to-dipp">CIS sent its comments</a>.</small></li>
<li><small>As part of the Pervasive Technologies we published four methodology documents: Rohini Lakshané wrote on <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/patent-landscaping-in-the-indian-mobile-device-market"> Patent Landscaping for the Indian Mobile Device market </a> ; Anubha Sinha wrote on <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-intellectual-property-in-mobile-application-development-in-india"> Intellectual Property in Mobile Application Development in India </a> ; Maggie Huang wrote on <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-access-to-music-through-mobile">Access to Music through the Mobile</a>; and Nehaa Chaudhari wrote on <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-sub-hundred-dollar-mobile-devices-and-competition-law"> Sub Hundred Dollar Mobile Devices and Competition Law </a> .</small></li>
<li><small>Odisha's <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/nineteen-books-by-ama-odisha-relicensed">most circulated newspaper Sambad has collaborated</a> with CIS-A2K to relicense 19 books published by its sister concern "Ama Odisha".</small></li>
<li><small>Vipul Kharbanda in a blog entry <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/white-paper-on-rti-and-privacy-v-1.2"> examines the relationship between privacy and transparency in the context of the right to information in India </a> .</small></li>
<li><small>Geetha Hariharan in a <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/good-intentions-recalcitrant-text-2013-ii-what-india2019s-itu-proposal-may-mean-for-internet-governance"> blog entry </a> explores what India's ITU proposal means for Internet Governance.</small></li>
<li><small>Pranesh Prakash wrote an <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/economic-times-november-18-2014-pranesh-prakash-the-socratic-debate-whos-internet-is-it-anyway"> article in the Economic Times </a> exploring net neutrality.</small></li>
<li><small>In her <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/mapping-digital-humanities-in-india-concluding-thoughts">final blog post on the mapping exercise</a> undertaken by CIS-RAW, P.P.Sneha summarises some of the key concepts and terms that emerged as significant in the discourse around Digital Humanities in India. </small> </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Job </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/jobs/programme-officer-institutional-partnership">Programme Officer</a> (Access to Knowledge - Institutional Partnerships): CIS is seeking applications for the post of Programme Officer for its Access to Knowledge (A2K) Programme. The position will be based in its Bangalore office. Programme Officer will collaboratively work with the A2K Team and would report to the Programme Director, Access to Knowledge at CIS. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility and Inclusion</a> </small></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small>Under a grant from the Hans Foundation we are doing two projects. The first project is on creating a national resource kit of state-wise laws, policies and programmes on issues relating to persons with disabilities in India. CIS in partnership with CLPR (Centre for Law and Policy Research) compiled the National Compendium of Policies, Programmes and Schemes for Persons with Disabilities (29 states and 6 union territories). The publication has been finalised and is currently in the process of being printed. The draft chapters and the quarterly reports can be accessed on the <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/national-resource-kit-project">project page</a>. The second project is on developing text-to-speech software for 15 Indian languages. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>. </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►NVDA and eSpeak </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Monthly Update </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/november-e-speak-nvda-2014-report.pdf">November 2014 Report</a> (Suman Dogra; November 30, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Upcoming Event </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/events/training-in-e-speak-malayalam">Training in Use of eSpeak with Malayalam</a> (co-organized by CIS, DAISY Forum of India and Chakshumathi Assistive Technology Centre; Trivandrum; January 24 - 25, 2015, Trivandrum). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Other </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Blog Entry </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/central-guidelines-and-schemes">Central Guidelines and Schemes</a> (Anandhi Viswanathan; November 6, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /> </small></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small>As part of the Access to Knowledge programme we are doing two projects. The first one (Pervasive Technologies) under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is for research on the complex interplay between pervasive technologies and intellectual property to support intellectual property norms that encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The second one (Wikipedia) under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects. </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> <small> Submission </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/comments-on-proposed-ip-rights-policy-to-dipp"> Comments on the Proposed Intellectual Property Rights Policy to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion </a> (Pranesh Prakash, Nehaa Chaudhari, Anubha Sinha and Amulya P.; November 30, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Blog Entries </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/mhrd-ipr-chairs-underutilization-of-funds-and-lack-of-information-regarding-expenditures"> MHRD IPR Chairs - Underutilization of Funds and Lack of Information Regarding Expenditures </a> (Amulya Purushothama, November 19, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> <small> Participation in Events </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/center-for-global-communication-studies-november-6-2014-ubiquity-mobility-globality-charting-directions-in-mobile-phone-studies"> Ubiquity, Mobility, Globality: Charting Directions in Mobile Phone Studies </a> (Organized by Center for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; November 6 - 7, 2014). Nehaa Chaudhari made a presentation on Pervasive Technologies: Access to Knowledge in the Marketplace. </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/news/countering-us-pressure-on-indias-ip-regime">Countering US pressures on India's IP regime</a> (Organized by Lawyer's Collective; November 16, 2014). Anubha Sinha attended the event. </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/technology-gender-based-violence">Technology and Gender Based Violence</a> (Organized by the Bachchao Project; November 24, 2014). Rohini Lakshané was a speaker at the event. She spoke about various strategies that women use to respond to online harassment, such as reporting the abuser, and enlisting support from online followers, or friends or family in order to deal with the abuser. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Pervasive Technology </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Blog Entries </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/patent-landscaping-in-the-indian-mobile-device-market">Methodology: Patent Landscaping</a> (Rohini Lakshané; November 10, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-intellectual-property-in-mobile-application-development-in-india"> Methodology: Intellectual Property in Mobile Application Development in India </a> (Anubha Sinha; November 17, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-access-to-music-through-mobile">Methodology: Access to Music through the Mobile</a> (Maggie Huang; November 18, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/methodology-sub-hundred-dollar-mobile-devices-and-competition-law"> Methodology: Sub Hundred Dollar Mobile Devices and Competition Law </a> (Nehaa Chaudhari; November 25, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Wikipedia </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English). </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small>Op-Ed </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/the-samaja-november-17-2014-subhashish-panigrahi-odia-wikisource-its-potential"> Odia Wikisource, its Potential </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, The Samaja, November 17, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small><b>Blog Entries </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/55-works-of-iconic-indian-writer-released-under-free-licence-to-benefit-wikisource"> 55 Works of Iconic Indian writer released under Free Licence to benefit Wikisource </a> (T. Vishnu Vardhan, November 13, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/odia-author-nirmala-kumari-mohapatra-21-books-under-cc"> Odia author Nirmala Kumari Mohapatra's 21 books relicensed under CC-by-SA 4.0 </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, November 17, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/nineteen-books-by-ama-odisha-relicensed"> Nineteen Books Published by Ama Odisha Relicensed under CC-by-SA 4.0 </a> (Subhashish Panigrahi, November 25, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small>News and Media Coverage </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> CIS-A2K team gave its inputs to the following media coverage: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/just-kannada-november-23-2014-kannada-wikipedia-presentation-coverage"> ಭಾಷಣದಿಂದ ಭಾಷೆ ಉಳಿಯಲ್ಲ, ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲೇ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಸಿಗುವುದು ಅಗತ್ಯ: ಪವನಜ </a> (Just Kannada; November 23, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/prajavani-november-24-2014-kannada-wikipedia-presentation-in-mysuru"> Kannada Wikipedia Presentation in Mysuru </a> (Prajavani; November 24, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/the-hindu-november-24-2014-govind-d-belgaumkar-now-tulu-set-to-be-promoted-through-wikipedia-articles"> Now, Tulu set to be promoted through Wikipedia articles </a> (Hindu; November 24, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/the-hindu-november-26-2014-ravi-prasad-kamila-tulu-wikipedia-in-incubation-stage"> 'Tulu Wikipedia' in incubation stage, 600 articles uploaded, says U.B. Pavanaja </a> (Ravi Prasad Kamila; Hindu; November 26, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/odisha-sun-times-november-28-2014-odia-wikisource-launched-in-odisha-capital"> Odia Wikisource launched in Odisha capital </a> (Odisha Sun Times; November 28, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/news/orissa-diary-november-28-2014-odia-wikisource-aims-to-bring-valuable-and-rare-books-on-the-internet"> Odia Wikisource aims to bring valuable and rare books on the Internet </a> (Odisha Diary; November 28, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Event Co-organized </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/odia-wikisource-sabha-2014">Odia Wikisource Sabha 2014</a> (Co-organized by CIS-A2K and Odia Wikimedia Community; November 28, 2014). Subhashish Panigrahi participated in the event. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Participation in Event </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/seminar-e-publishing-odia-books">A Seminar on E-publishing of Odia Books</a> (Organized by Molybtech Technology Solutions; November 30, 2014). Subhashish Panigrahi was a speaker. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►<b>Openness </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> <small> Blog Entry </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog/privacy-v-transparency">Privacy vs. Transparency: An Attempt at Resolving the Dichotomy</a> (Sunil Abraham <i>with feedback and inputs from Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Elonnai Hickok, Bhairav Acharya and Geetha Hariharan</i>; November 14, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>News and Media Coverage </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/open-up-tim-davies-november-3-2014-getting-strategic-about-openness-and-privacy"> Getting Strategic about Openness and Privacy </a> (Tim Davies; Open Data Research Lead at Web Foundation; November 3, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> <small> Participation in Event </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/crypto-currencies">Content co-ordination for the Panel Discussion on Crypto-Currencies</a> (organized by the Law and Technology Society; November 15, 2014). Sharath Chandra Ram was a panelist and made a presentation Scalability and Security Issues in Distributed Trust based Cryto-Currency Systems like BITCOIN </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> </small></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Privacy </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> As part of our Surveillance and Freedom: Global Understandings and Rights Development (SAFEGUARD) project with Privacy International we are engaged in enhancing respect for the right to privacy in developing countries. During the month we published the following blog entries: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small>Blog Entries </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/white-paper-on-rti-and-privacy-v-1.2">White Paper on RTI and Privacy V1.2</a> (Vipul Kharbanda; November 9, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/introduction-about-the-privacy-and-surveillance-roundtables"> Introduction: About the Privacy and Surveillance Roundtables </a> (Manoj Kurbet; November 27, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Event Organized </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/iocose-talk-at-cis">IOCOSE's talk at CIS</a> (CIS, Bangalore; November 27, 2014). There was a presentation of the work of the artists group IOCOSE, current artists in residence at T.A.J./SKE Residency. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Upcoming Event </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/cpdp-2015">CPDP 2015</a> : The eighth international conference on computers, privacy and data protection will be held in Brussels from January 21 to 23, 2015. CIS is a moral supporter of CPDP. </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Participation in Events </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-hague-institute-for-global-justice-november-4-2014-e-consultation-on-cyber-security-justice-and-governance-begins"><b> </b>E-Consultation on Cyber Security, Justice, and Governance Begins! </a> (Organized by the Hague Institute for Global Justice; November 4, 2014). Sunil Abraham facilitated the e-consultation on "Internet access, the freedom of expression online, and development in the Global South". </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/learning-forum-transparency-and-human-rights-in-the-digital-age"> Learning Forum: Transparency and Human Rights in the Digital Age </a> (Organized by Global Network Initiative; November 6, 2014). Pranesh Prakash gave a talk on transparency reports and their use and abuse in India; the Intermediary Liability Rules in India (and its non-provision of any transparency mechanism); and the need for transparency in private speech regulation, not just governmental speech regulation. </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/fourth-discussion-meeting-of-expert-committee-to-discuss-draft-human-dna-profiling-bill"> Fourth Discussion Meeting of the Expert Committee to Discuss the Draft Human DNA Profiling Bill </a> (Organized by the Department of Biotechnology; New Delhi; November 10, 2014). Sunil Abraham was unable to participate because of technical problems. </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ground-zero-summit-2014">Ground Zero Summit 2014</a> (Organized by India Infosec Consortium; November 13-14, 2014). Geetha Hariharan participated in this event. </small> </li>
<li><small><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/wilton-park-november-17-19-privacy-security-surveillance">Privacy, security and surveillance: tackling international dilemmas and dangers in the digital realm</a> </small><small>(Organized by Wilton Park; November 17-19, 2014). Pranesh Prakash was a panelist in the session "Beyond the familiar: how do other countries deal with security and surveillance oversight?" </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ►Free Speech </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> Under a grant from the MacArthur Foundation, CIS is doing research on the restrictions placed on freedom of expression online by the Indian government and contribute studies, reports and policy briefs to feed into the ongoing debates at the national as well as international level. As part of the project we bring you the following outputs: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small><b>Blog Entries </b></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/good-intentions-recalcitrant-text-2013-ii-what-india2019s-itu-proposal-may-mean-for-internet-governance"> Good Intentions, Recalcitrant Text - II: What India's ITU Proposal May Mean for Internet Governance </a> (Geetha Hariharan; November 1, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/indias-statement-at-itu-plenipotentiary-conference-2014"> India's Statement at ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, 2014 </a> (Geetha Hariharan; November 4, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <b>Newspaper Article </b></small><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/economic-times-november-18-2014-pranesh-prakash-the-socratic-debate-whos-internet-is-it-anyway"><b> </b>The Socratic debate: Whose internet is it anyway? </a> (Pranesh Prakash; Economic Times; November 18, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/news">News & Media Coverage</a> <br />CIS gave its inputs to the following media coverage: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-economic-times-vasudha-venugopal-november-2-2014-twitter-users-find-several-accounts-suspended-for-unknown-reasons"> Twitter users find several accounts suspended for unknown reasons </a> (Vasudha Venugopal; Economic Times; November 2, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/digit-november-3-2014-silky-malhotra-several-indian-twitter-users-accounts-suspended-due-to-tech-glitch"> Several Indian Twitter users' accounts suspended due to tech glitch </a> (Silky Malhotra; digit; November 3, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/mumbai-mirror-november-19-2014-jaison-lewis-game-release-cancelled-over-gay-character"> Game release cancelled over gay character </a> (Jaison Lewis; Mumbai Mirror; November 19, 2014). </small> </li>
<li> <small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/businessworld-november-25-2014-leave-the-net-alone">Leave the Net Alone</a> (Businessworld; November 25, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/raw/digital-humanities">Digital Humanities</a> <br /> </small></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small>CIS is building research clusters in the field of Digital Humanities. The Digital will be used as a way of unpacking the debates in humanities and social sciences and look at the new frameworks, concepts and ideas that emerge in our engagement with the digital. The clusters aim to produce and document new conversations and debates that shape the contours of Digital Humanities in Asia: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small>Blog Entry </small> </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b><small> </small></b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><b> </b><small><b> </b><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/mapping-digital-humanities-in-india-concluding-thoughts"><b> </b>Mapping Digital Humanities in India - Concluding Thoughts </a> (P.P.Sneha; November 30, 2014). </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify; "><small> <a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> </small></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small>The Centre for Internet and Society is a non-profit research organization that works on policy issues relating to freedom of expression, privacy, accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge and IPR reform, and openness (including open government, FOSS, open standards, etc.), and engages in academic research on digital natives and digital humanities. </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ► Follow us elsewhere </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> <small> Twitter:<a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K"> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </small> </li>
<li> <small> Facebook group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k">https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </small> </li>
<li> <small> Visit us at:<a href="https://cis-india.org/"> </a> <a href="https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge">https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge</a> </small> </li>
<li> <small> E-mail: <a href="mailto:a2k@cis-india.org">a2k@cis-india.org</a> </small> </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ► Support Us </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> Please help us defend consumer / citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71. </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> ► Request for Collaboration: </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> We invite researchers, practitioners, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to collaboratively engage with Internet and society and improve our understanding of this new field. To discuss the research collaborations, write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at<a href="mailto:sunil@cis-india.org">sunil@cis-india.org</a> or Nishant Shah, Director - Research, at <a href="mailto:nishant@cis-india.org">nishant@cis-india.org</a>. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia, write to T. Vishnu Vardhan, Programme Director, A2K, at <a href="mailto:vishnu@cis-india.org">vishnu@cis-india.org</a>. </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> </small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><small> <i> CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects. </i> </small></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/november-2014-bulletin'>http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/november-2014-bulletin</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaInternet GovernanceAccessibilityAccess to KnowledgeDigital Humanities2014-12-15T13:27:04ZPageWhen technology is able but the mindset is not
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/e-gov-reach-december-15-2014-geetanjali-minhas-when-technology-is-able-but-mindset-is-not
<b>There are enough digital products and services to help people with disabilities. But widespread ignorance stands between them and digital inclusion reports Geetanjali Minhas.</b>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://egovreach.in/social/content/when-technology-able-mindset-not?whois=&serarr="><i>The story appeared in 1-15 December 2014 issue of Governance Now</i></a></p>
<hr />
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Twenty-four-year-old Bhavesh Patel moves around giving a demonstration of the screen reader Dolphin Supernova in such a sure-footed manner that no one can imagine he is totally blind. The device has a voiceover function that can be used on iPhone.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Not just that, Patel travels every day from his home in Vikhroli to his office in Goregaon, changing buses and trains with minimal assistance.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Patel’s colleague, Debashish, who is autistic, and no less capable, is known for his immaculate spellings within the company.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Team leader Priti Rohra, despite low vision, skillfully heads the testing team for websites and meticulously ensures that guidelines for the disabled are adhered to. Rohra works on policies and research and has prepared many reports for BarrierBreak, a company where 75 percent of the staff has disabilities like autism, inhibited vision and impaired hearing.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Its unique competitive advantage has allowed the company to help develop niche products and services for converting textbooks into more disabled-friendly formats like digital talking books (Epub Conversion). Till now, it has produced 1.5 million pages of disabled-friendly textbooks.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">“When the government provides technology to its own employees it is enhancing their productivity,” says Shilpi Kapoor, founder-director of BarrierBreak and a member of the Nasscom Disability Advisory Group. “The fundamental difference here is that internationally, disability inclusion is a mandate, whereas in India it is considered charity and therefore a challenge. As a result many disabled are denied jobs as per their calibre and given salaries as doles.”</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">The priority given to policies for development of disabled-friendly information technology tools and services has been relatively low in India. Usually, it stems from an inaccurate understanding that the development of such tools and services will cost more money, and there will be no opportunity to recover it from the market.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">A critical component of digital inclusion is to make websites and applications disabled-friendly. Most websites are not compliant with international guidelines on disabled-friendly requirements. Developers, officials and policy makers give disability accessibility a cold shoulder, retrofitting it into existing policies and processes as an after-thought.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">An attitudinal shift might come if the new national policy on universal electronic accessibility (NPUEA) notified by DeitY is implemented, resulting in nearly 7,000 government websites becoming accessible to the disabled, especially visually impaired.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Various reports, including a 2012 survey by the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), found that almost 25 percent of 7,800 government websites failed to open and the remaining had accessibility barriers. The web accessibility survey report of Indian government websites by the national centre for promotion of employment for disabled people (NCPEDP) in 2012 too revealed that of the 200 government websites tested, only two were found to be disabled-friendly.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">“Disability is a major social issue that India is grappling with. It needs to be addressed through not just policy, but also through assistive technology solutions,” says Prakash Kumar, CEO, Goods and Services Tax Network.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">CIS executive director Sunil Abraham, who was on the committee that formulated the NPUEA, says besides non-confirmation of websites to international norms, there are many technical hurdles. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, mature optical character recognition systems, speech and grammar check and machine translation are some of the features that are still not available for most Indian languages, he adds. “Many government websites use font encoding for Indian languages which results in the failure of text-to-speech technologies.”</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">DeitY, under the ministry of communication and information technology, is supporting some technology interventions for the disabled, across different Indian languages. This also includes text-to-speech tools. “Mobile phone manufacturers should also provide in-built tools to cater to the needs of disabled people,” points out Ajay Kumar, joint secretary, DeitY.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Emphasising a strong legal framework for implementation of the policy, Kumar adds that though the new policy promotes disability inclusion, the information technology ministry does not have the legal backing to enforce it. “The ministry of social justice and empowerment is creating a legal framework for the bill that is under consideration by the concerned committee to mandate some of these things, including technology assistance for the disabled,” he adds.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Abraham says besides ensuring that websites and services are accessible to the disabled, the new policy must be updated to include a mandate that all parties providing essential services to the general public must comply with accessibility standards. “Manufacturers of ICT products should provide at least one accessible model of their products within each price range that they are operating within,” he says.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Sam Taraporevala, associate professor and head of sociology department, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and the director of Xavier’s resource centre for the visually challenged, says with the government accepting a policy that IT tools should follow accessibility standards, it is now a question of monitoring, and, perhaps, even judicial activism.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Nirmita Narasimhan, policy director, CIS, who works closely with various government departments to bring accessibility into their policies and programmes, concurs. “There must be accountability and a monitoring mechanism to check whether websites are disability compliant,” she says.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Maharashtra is the only state to make it compulsory for every department to have a scheme for procuring disability access products. Yet, compliance remains a problem. “Despite the government holding awareness camps at various districts, barriers are created for accessing government schemes. Resistance on part of government agencies to give out equipment to disabled people and lack of awareness among people about the availability of such facilities are the other stumbling blocks. Yet, there are ways for getting these products,” says Kapoor.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Experts say the needs and requirements of the disabled vary according to their disability and affordability of tools. Also, low income levels of many disabled people is a dissuading factor toprocuring equipment. “Most available tools and technologies are proprietary and, hence, costly and we are not able to scale them up in a big way,” says Kumar.</p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">Taraporevala, born with 100% visual impairment, was instrumental in getting the guidelines for opening and operating demat accounts for visually impaired persons implemented. He also says mainstream consumer product companies are moving into touchscreen modes in mobile phones forgetting a large chunk of disabled population. “While the standards are there, implementation suffers due to lack of awareness which, in turn, leads to less demand,” he says.</p>
<h3 class="rtejustify" style="text-align: justify; ">The way forward</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Governance Now also asked experts if corporate social responsibility (CSR) towards disability inclusion could address challenges in recruitment of disabled persons. “Instead of a hammer approach, a care approach has to be adopted,” says Rita Soni, CEO, Nasscom Foundation. According to Kumar, “Absence of commercial interest in promoting disability accessibility products has afflicted the sector with neglect.” However, Kapoor says, “This has to be an equal opportunity business. There will be differential costs, but at the same time the total number of disabled people in India is close to 70 million and a billion world over. How can you not treat them like a client?”<br /><br />Speaking of the revised CSR rules under the Companies Act, Soni adds, “You can support skilling of persons with disabilities that has nothing to do with your business and have it considered as CSR expenditure. But if you make your office building or internet accessible, it does not count. Creating incentives around disability will make us a more inclusive society and make disability more amenable to office environment.”<br /><br />Maharashtra IT secretary Rajesh Aggarwal adds, except for the metro, none of our public transport systems are disabled-friendly. As per national building code of India, while giving permissions for public buildings there must be a checklist to ensure that buildings and toilets are wheelchair and blind-friendly. Similarly, hotels must have few rooms which are disabled-friendly.” This awareness has not yet set in,” he says.<br /><br />The Asia-Pacific region study of UNESCO global report 2013 has said many countries in the developing world are struggling to attain their millennium development goals of providing universal primary education to all by 2015. Our education system, on the other hand, has serious flaws. “We do not teach professionals about assistive technologies and for that reason an eye doctor does not know about low vision aids or a speech therapist does not know how to use communication devices,” says Kapoor.<br /> <br />Taraporevala is of the view that universal (architectural) design needs to be actively woven into every design curriculum across the spectrum, instead of being an optional subject. Physical infrastructure, building standards, for instance, need to reflect this and there needs to be active lobbying to ensure that certificates for public places are not given if they lack certain standards.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/e-gov-reach-december-15-2014-geetanjali-minhas-when-technology-is-able-but-mindset-is-not'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/news/e-gov-reach-december-15-2014-geetanjali-minhas-when-technology-is-able-but-mindset-is-not</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccessibility2014-12-19T01:33:22ZNews ItemAn Analysis of the Comments by World Blind Union and the International Publishers Association
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/analysis-of-comments
<b>Rahul Cherian provides an analysis of the comments by the World Blind Union and the International Publishers Association after the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of Copyright and Related Rights.</b>
<p>Before the WIPO intersessionals held on March 23 and 24 at Geneva between some member states to discuss the pending issues related to the Treaty for the Visually Impaired, the World Blind Union and the International Publishers Association came out with their comments/versions on the Chair’s text dated December 16, 2011. The Chair's text with comments of Member States is available <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/chairs-text.pdf" class="internal-link" title="Chair's Text">here</a>. [PDF, 364 Kb]</p>
<p>The World Blind Union document, <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/wbu-document.pdf" class="internal-link" title="The World Blind Union document">available here</a> [PDF, 314 Kb], attempts to build consensus in the text based on suggestions given by various Member States to the Chair’s text dated December 16, 2011. The inputs of Member States that would be beneficial to the intended beneficiaries of the Treaty, namely persons with visual impairment, print disabilities, etc. were incorporated into the World Blind Union document while suggestions of Member States that were detrimental to the intended beneficiaries were not added. As can be seen by the WBU document, several changes suggested by many Member States, including the United States, the European Union, the African Group, Pakistan, India, etc were incorporated into the WBU document. As far as possible the WBU document has tried not to add new wording which were not suggested by Member States to the Chair's text. The WBU document is, in my opinion, a genuine attempt at building consensus between Member States on the Treaty for the Visually Impaired.</p>
<p>On the other hand,<a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/ipa-position.pdf" class="internal-link" title="Summary of the IPA Position"> the document proposed by the International Publishers Association</a> [PDF, 215 Kb] is a different story. Rather than trying and building consensus, the IPA has taken a stand that is so extreme that the only aspect I could find in the entire document was that it was progressive. In the first paragraph of the introduction the IPA finally recognizes that persons with print disabilities must have access to works at the same time as others. Unfortunately it is all downhill from there. Given below are some of the suggested changes of the IPA and my comments on the IPA document from the perspective of its impact on India and other developing countries.</p>
<ol><li>The IPA proposes the deletion of the following paragraph from the Preamble: “Needing to contribute to the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Development Agenda of the World Intellectual Property Organization,” <br />From this proposed change, it appears that the IPA is opposed to the Development Agenda of the World Intellectual Property Organization. This change is completely unacceptable and unfortunately the further suggestions of the IPA seemed to reflect the anti-development mentality of the IPA.</li><li>The IPA proposes that the exceptions and limitations cover only those works that are release in print format and excludes those works that are “born digital”. This implies that for new books which are going to be released only in digital formats, there should be no exceptions and that the beneficiaries should be able to convert those inaccessible versions into accessible versions. This is also unacceptable since persons with print disabilities must have equal access to all books and not only printed books.</li><li>The IPA proposes that only those organizations that have the “primary” objective of assisting persons with print disabilities by providing them with services relating to education, training, adaptive reading, or information access needs shall be entitled to convert or distribute accessible format copies. This would mean those educational institutions and other organizations that make material accessible but not on a primary basis will be excluded. This is totally counterproductive if persons with disabilities are to have really equal access to reading material.</li><li>The IPA proposes that authorized entities must maintain compliance policies and procedures regarding access and IT security that follow internationally recognized standards. It records appropriate usage information and provides this to rights holders in a transparent and timely manner. <br />The compliance with this provision will prove extremely expensive and cumbersome for organizations, particularly those organizations in developing countries who are cash strapped. Moreover, it is unclear what these internationally recognized standards are. This addition is also unacceptable.</li><li>The IPA proposes that only organizations that actually create an accessible format copy can export that copy to organizations in other countries. This would mean that every organization that exports books would have to re-create the accessible format copy thereby leading to tremendous replication of effort and wastage of precious resources. This is extremely counterproductive.</li><li>The IPA proposes to add the following sentence to the text: Member States may choose other means for increasing the availability of accessible format copies, provided these means afford Beneficiaries with equally effective access to Works. <br />By adding this one sentence the Treaty, which is intended to create minimum exceptions in each Member State, permits countries to move away from the E&L regime into a licensing regime. The benefits of the whole treaty could be negated with this one sentence. <br /></li></ol>
<p>Apart from these changes mentioned above, there are several other changes proposed by the IPA which are completely against the spirit of the Treaty. It is sad to note that instead of trying to reach a consensus the IPA has proposed some preposterous changes and negative changes to the text. But given the stand that they have taken in this document, possibly as a last ditch attempt to thwart the growing momentum for the Treaty, it is likely that the IPA’s disguise as a sheep has been blown away to reveal the wolf.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/analysis-of-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/analysis-of-comments</a>
</p>
No publisherRahul CherianAccessibilityAccess to Knowledge2012-03-30T07:34:07ZBlog EntryMarch 2017 Newsletter
http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter
<b>Welcome to March 2017 newsletter of the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS).</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-rules">submitted comments on the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules</a> for the consideration of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Anubha Sinha in a blog post has <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/intellectual-property-rights-and-mobile-apps">identified the various kinds of IP in an app</a> and explained the protections available under Indian IPR law. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS-A2K is <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikisource-internship-project-at-new-law-college-pune">conducting a Wiki internship project</a> for students of New Law College, Pune under the guidance of Prof.Dr.Mukund Sarda, Dean and Principal of New Law College. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindu-op-ed-sunil-abraham-march-31-2017-how-aadhaar-compromises-privacy-and-how-to-fix-it">Op-ed published in the Hindu</a>, Sunil Abraham has stated that though biometrics may be appropriate for targeted surveillance by the state, it is wholly inappropriate for everyday transactions between state and law abiding citizens.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS has <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/benefits-harms-rights-and-regulation-survey-of-literature-on-big-data">published a survey</a> that draws upon a range of literature including news articles, academic articles, and presentations and seeks to disaggregate the potential benefits and harms of big data, organising them into several broad categories that reflect the existing scholarly literature.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS submitted comments on the Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017. The <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-information-technology-security-of-prepaid-payment-instruments-rules-2017">comments were in response to the Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules 2017</a>. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a consultation paper which called for developing a framework for security of digital wallets operating in the country. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Ritam Sengupta, Dr. Richard Heeks, Sumandro Chattapadhyay, and Dr. Christopher Foster <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/exploring-big-data-for-development-an-electricity-sector-case-study-from-india">have co-authored a paper</a> that presents exploratory research into “data-intensive development” that seeks to inductively identify issues and conceptual frameworks of relevance to big data in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/richa-mishra-hindu-businessline-march-13-2017-the-12-digit-conundrum">The 12-digit conundrum</a> (Richa Mishra; Hindu Businessline; March 13, 2017)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-statesman-smriti-sharma-vasudeva-march-14-2017-evms-how-transparent-is-the-indian-election-process">EVMs: How transparent is the Indian election process?</a> (Smriti Sharma Vasudeva; The Statesman; March 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/first-post-march-16-nimish-sawant-nasscom-chief-saying-full-data-protection-isnt-possible-should-wake-us-from-our-digital-slumber">Nasscom chief saying full data protection isn’t possible should wake us from our digital slumber</a> (First Post; March 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/one-world-indentity-kaelyn-lowmaster-march-17-2017-privacy-concerns-multiply-for-aadhaar-indias-national-biometric-identity-registry">Privacy concerns multiply for Aadhaar, India’s national biometric identity registry</a> (One World Identity; March 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-guardian-march-21-2017-no-id-no-benefits">No ID, no benefits: thousands could lose lifeline under India’s biometric scheme</a> (Guardian; March 21, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/huffington-post-rimin-dutt-ivan-mehta-march-24-2017-why-we-should-all-worry-about-the-mandatory-imposition-of-aadhaar">Why We Should All Worry About The Mandatory Imposition Of Aadhaar</a> (Rimin Dutt and Ivan Mehta; Huffington Post; March 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/financial-times-march-27-2017-amy-kazmin-indias-biometric-id-scans-make-sci-fi-a-reality">India’s biometric ID scans make sci-fi a reality</a> (Amy Kazmin; Financial Times; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ndtv-march-27-2017-discussion-on-aadhaar">क्या आधार पर जल्दबाज़ी में है सरकार?</a> (NDTV; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-march-27-2017-priya-nair-and-sanjay-kumar-singh-get-an-aadhaar-card-if-you-dont-have-one">Get an Aadhaar card if you don't have one</a> (Priya Nair and Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindu-businessline-shriya-mohan-the-aadhaar-of-all-things">The Aadhaar of all things</a> (Shriya Mohan; Hindu Businessline; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b><br />CIS members wrote the following articles</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-march-19-2017-digital-native-lie-me-a-river">Digital native: Lie Me a River</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; March 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-hindu-businessline-march-31-2017-sunil-abraham-its-the-technology-stupid">It’s the technology, stupid</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu Businessline; March 31, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindu-op-ed-sunil-abraham-march-31-2017-how-aadhaar-compromises-privacy-and-how-to-fix-it">How Aadhaar compromises privacy? And how to fix it?</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Submission</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-rules">Comments on the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; March 29, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>----------------------------------- </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Pervasive Technologies</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/intellectual-property-rights-and-mobile-apps">Intellectual Property Rights and Mobile Apps</a> (Anubha Sinha; March 6, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-bhasha-gaurav-din-celebrations-in-maharashtra">"Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din" celebrations in Maharashtra</a> (Manasa Rao; March 7, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/women2019s-history-month-sambad-collaborates-with-odia-wikipedia-for-a-two-day-edit-a-thon">Women’s History Month: Sambad collaborates with Odia Wikipedia for a Two Day Edit-a-thon</a> (Sailesh Patnaik; March 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikisource-internship-project-at-new-law-college-pune">Wikisource:Internship Project at New Law College, Pune</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; March 28, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/womens-day-edit-a-thon-in-pune">Women's Day Edit-a-thon</a> (Co-organized by Sterlite Tech Foundation, Jnana Prabhodhini, and CIS-A2K; Pune; March 10, 2017). Subodh Kulkarni was one of the trainers.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-on-environment-management">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on Environment Management</a> (Organized by CSIBER College and CIS-A2K; Kolhapur; March 30, 2017). Subodh Kulkarni was a trainer.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><br />►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/national-consultation-on-oer-for-higher-education">National Consultation on OER for Higher Education</a> (Organized by Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia; New Delhi; March 3, 2017). Anubha Sinha attended the event.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/idrc-open-development-book-authors-workshop">Open Development Book - Authors' Workshop</a> (Organized by International Development Research Centre and Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching; University of Cape Town, South Africa; March 11 - 12, 2017). The workshop gathered the contributers to an upcoming book by IDRC on open development. Elonnai Hickok, Gus Hosein from Privacy International and Sumandro Chattapadhyay are writing a chapter for this book.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/indo-french-perspectives-on-digital-studies">Indo - French Perspectives on Digital Studies</a> (Organized by Digital Studies Group; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; March 15, 2017). Anubha Sinha was a speaker. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-information-technology-security-of-prepaid-payment-instruments-rules-2017">Comments on Information Technology</a> (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017 (Udbhav Tiwari, Pranesh Prakash, Abhay Rana, Amber Sinha and Sunil Abraham; March 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/wiser-lecture-sumandro-chattapadhyay-on-deregulation-by-code">WISER Lecture : Sumandro Chattapadhyay on Deregulation by Code</a> (Organized by the University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg; March 8, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay gave a talk.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/conference-on-safety-against-online-child-sexual-abuse">Conference on Safety Against Online Child Sexual Abuse</a> (Organized by CID, Telangana and the Department for Women Development and Child Welfare, Telangana; March 16 - 17, 2017). Japreet Grewal was a speaker.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/state-of-digital-rights-in-india-delhi-march-24">State of Digital Rights in India</a> (Organized by Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi and the Internet Freedom Foundation, in association with Access Now; India International Centre, New Delhi; March 24, 2017). Japreet Grewal and Sumandro Chattapadhyay took part in panel discussions.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/google-hangout-on-technology-and-jobs">Hangout on Technology and Jobs</a> (Organized by Google; March 24, 2017). Vanya Rakesh was a speaker. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/analysis-of-key-provisions-of-aadhaar-act-regulations">Analysis of Key Provisions of the Aadhaar Act Regulations</a> (Amber Sinha and edited by Elonnai Hickok; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Cyber Security</p>
<p><b>Upcoming Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/firstfridayatcisindia-dr-madan-oberoi-digital-forensics-april-07">Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigations</a> (CIS; New Delhi; April 7, 2017). IPS officer Dr. Madan M. Oberoi will give a talk. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Big Data</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/benefits-harms-rights-and-regulation-survey-of-literature-on-big-data">Benefits, Harms, Rights and Regulation: A Survey of Literature on Big Data</a> (Amber Sinha, Vanya Rakesh, Vidushi Marda and Geethanjali Jujjavarapu; edited by Sunil Abraham, Elonnai Hickok and Leilah Elmokadem; March 23, 2017). </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-fintech-disruption-innovation-regulation-and-transformation">The Fintech Disruption - Innovation, Regulation, and Transformation</a> (Organized by Carnegie India; March 28, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay attended the event. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">►Freedom of Expression</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Event Organized</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/essentials-of-building-internet-tools-for-inclusion">Essentials of building internet tools for inclusion </a>(Valencia, Spain; March 6, 2017). A talk jointly proposed by Chinmayi SK and Rohini Lakshané was selected for the Internet Freedom Festival.</li>
</ul>
<b>Participation in Events</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/from-virtual-to-reliable-exploring-freedom-and-facts-in-the-world-of-www-world-wide-web">From Virtual to Reliable: Exploring Freedom and Facts in the World of WWW (World Wide Web)</a> (Organized by Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and Adaan Foundation; March 21, 2017). Saikat Datta and Amber Sinha were panelists.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/internet-freedom-festival-2017">Internet Freedom Festival 2017</a> (Organized by IFF; Valencia, Spain; March 6 - 10, 2017). Vidushi Marda participated in the event. Vidushi also attended these sessions: <a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Data_Protection_law_and_is_different_manifestations">Data Protection Law and its Different Manifestations</a>;<a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/The_identity_we_can%27t_change:_a_new_wave_of_biometric_policies_around_the_world"> Using the Ranking Digital Rights Corporate Accountability Index for Advocacy & Research; The identity we can't change: a new wave of biometric policies around the world</a> and <a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Enabling_free_speech_online_by_legal_defence:_the_need_for_skilled_lawyers_to_secure_the_free_flow_of_information_online">Enabling free speech online by legal defence: the need for skilled lawyers to secure the free flow of information online</a>: Vidushi channeled a discussion about Shreya Singhal v. Union of India as an important case study in understanding how legal defence has been used to secure rights online.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b><b>----------------------------------- <br /></b><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> </b>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p><b>Newspaper Column</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-march-1-2017-shyam-ponappa-organisational-hurdles-in-telecom">Organisational Hurdles in Telecom</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; March 1, 2017 and Organizing India Blogspot; March 2, 2017)</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Research Paper</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/exploring-big-data-for-development-an-electricity-sector-case-study-from-india">Exploring Big Data for Development: An Electricity Sector Case Study from India</a> (Ritam Sengupta, Dr. Richard Heeks, Sumandro Chattapadhyay, and Dr. Christopher Foster; Global Development Institute, University of Manchester; March 29, 2017). <br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/evaluating-safety-buttons-on-mobile-devices-preview">Evaluating Safety Buttons on Mobile Devices: Preview</a> (Rohini Lakshané and Chinmayi S.K.; March 27, 2017).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b></div>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter'>http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-05-20T12:47:11ZPageMobile Accessibility Practices
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/mobile-accessibility-practices
<b>Over the past few months the Centre for Internet & Society along with some like minded organizations had been working on framing a feasible accessibility guidelines for mobile apps which they could recommend to the Government of India, since there is no single standard in existence at the moment. </b>
<h3>Problem Statement</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The shift to digital governance and availability of assistive technologies have been both empowering as well as frustrating for persons with disabilities, who comprise approximately 150 million of the Indian population. Government initiatives such as the Digital India campaign are increasingly delivering basic functions of governance through information technologies. In the past year, the government, private sector and the world at large have embraced mobile applications as a preferred medium for user interactions and transactions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Mobile Seva App Store hosts 790 government apps, which provide services including voter information, agricultural assistance, welfare scheme signups, and educational content provision. In addition, the overall app market in India has also grown rapidly, with almost 5 times as many apps downloaded in 2015 compared to the previous year. These include apps which let users access everyday services like transportation, communication and entertainment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">However, for persons with disabilities, many of these apps, and consequently the services they provide, are inaccessible and often impossible to use. Research in the past year that looked at several apps, both government and private, found that a majority of the apps are inaccessible and unusable, especially for persons with low vision and blindness.</p>
<hr />
<p><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/files/mobile-accessibility-practices.pdf"><b>Read the full submission</b></a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/mobile-accessibility-practices'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/mobile-accessibility-practices</a>
</p>
No publishernirmitaAccessibility2017-04-12T13:48:13ZBlog EntryWIPO to Convene a Diplomatic Conference in Morocco to Finalise TVI
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/wipo-to-convene-conference-to-finalise-tvi-next-year
<b>In a landmark development, on December 18, 2012, the Extraordinary General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organisation agreed to convene a diplomatic conference, likely to be in Morocco, in June of next year to finalise the Treaty for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This comes about five years after a team of about ten of us sat down in the offices of <a href="http://keionline.org/">Knowledge Ecology International</a> in Washington D.C. to draft the first cut of the Treaty.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Even as late as December 17, it was uncertain as to whether the outcome would be positive, particularly as the United States was fixated on the word "instrument" and not "treaty". At one point during the EGA it was rumored that the US and the EU were insisting on a "kill switch" in the decision document of the Extraordinary General Assembly. Essentially the US and the EU were apparently pushing for wording in the decision text stating that if the text of the Treaty was not fully agreed by the end of the upcoming WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights in February, then the diplomatic conference was off. Luckily none of this type of wording was reflected in the decision of the EGA. The EU was insisting on a non-binding instrument as opposed to a treaty till November this year when they finally capitulated due to the extensive pressure applied internally by blind groups such as the European Blind Union and the Royal National Institute of Blind People in the United Kingdom.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">However, it is not smooth sailing from here on since there are still some very critical issues to be resolved in the text of the Treaty. Possibly the most critical issue from the perspective of blind groups is the outstanding issue of commercial availability. The European Union and the United States insist that the Treaty should apply only when works in accessible formats such as Braille or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAISY_Digital_Talking_Book">Daisy</a> are not commercially available. The contentious provision in the Treaty in relation to export of accessible format copies is the following: "The Member State/Contracting Party may limit said distribution or making available of published works which, in the applicable accessible format, cannot be otherwise obtained within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price, in the country of importation." There is also a similar clause with respect to national exceptions as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The problem that we have with this clause is that it places the burden on exporting organizations to determine, prior to export, whether a work is available in an accessible format in the importing country within a "reasonable time" and "reasonable price". In reality, this will be impossible for organizations to verify this position with any degree of certainty without spending substantial amounts of money or dedicating significant resources for this. As a result the organizations will not export accessible format copies because they are nervous about copyright violation thereby meaning that the treaty will not be used in reality. Obviously from our perspective there is no point in having a treaty which cannot be used to benefit the millions of persons with visual impairment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Another outstanding issue that is crucial to us is that a beneficiary (such as a visually impaired person) in one country should be able to import accessible format copies directly from organizations abroad. The European Union does not want to permit this and insists that export and import should only be between organizations. The position of the European Union will be counterproductive because it will add too much burden on organizations in developing countries to serve their disabled populations.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We get the opportunity to fix these issues during the next session of the Standing Committee meeting in February 2013. If required there could another session called to sort out text related issues before the diplomatic conference in June.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Ultimately, the success or failure of the Treaty will boil down to whether the US and the EU actually end up ratifying the Treaty. After all, they have the largest collections of material in accessible formats which we need to import into India. The <a href="http://www.hathitrust.org/">Hathi Trust</a> in the United States has approximately 10 million books in accessible formats which will be invaluable for the visually impaired community in India. Given the recent rejection of the United States of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/human-rights-watch/us-senate-misses-opportun_b_2244885.html">United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities</a> it remains to be seen what the future holds.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Rahul Cherian is the legal advisor to the World Blind Union on the Treaty and is the founder of the <a href="http://www.inclusiveplanet.org.in/">Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/wipo-to-convene-conference-to-finalise-tvi-next-year'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/wipo-to-convene-conference-to-finalise-tvi-next-year</a>
</p>
No publisherRahul CherianAccessibilityWIPO2012-12-24T06:18:58ZBlog EntryNational Resource Kit: The Puducherry Chapter (Call for Comments)
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments
<b>The National Resource Kit team is pleased to bring you its research on the state of laws, policies and programmes for persons with disabilities in the state of Puducherry.</b>
<h3>Executive Summary</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The union territory of Puducherry has not passed any legislation for persons with disabilities but implements the provisions under the central laws. The benefits that are currently being offered to persons with disabilities include educational scholarships and social protection programmes that provide financial assistance, aids and appliances and subsidised fuel among others. The government currently implements around 21 schemes for persons with disabilities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Quick Statistics</h3>
<ul>
<li>Capital: Puducherry</li>
<li>Population: 1,247,953</li>
<li>Population of Persons with Disabilities: 25,857</li>
<li>Literacy: 85.85%<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a></li>
<li>HDI: 0.748<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a></li>
<li>Department: Social Welfare Department</li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal Provisions</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The union territory of Puducherry has not passed any special legislation for persons with disabilities but implements the provisions under the three central laws:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">National Trust for Persons with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry implements various schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities that are listed below in various categories:</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Education</h3>
<p>The government offers scholarships to eligible students with disabilities in the following categories:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Class / Standard</th><th>Amount</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class I to Class V</td>
<td>Rs. 250 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Class VI to Class VIII</td>
<td>Rs. 500 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IX Std to XII Std</td>
<td>Rs. 850 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UG courses</td>
<td>Rs. 1250 per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PG courses / Professional Courses</td>
<td>Rs. 1700 per annum</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Students with disabilities applying for the scholarships should fulfil the following conditions:</p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Total income of the family should not be more than Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Extent of disabilities of applicants should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Applicants should not be less than five years of age and should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Social Protection</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government offers annual state awards in recognition of persons with disabilities and services rendered to them. An award of Rs. 10,000 is offered to one outstanding employee with disability in either government or private employment or a person who is self employed. An award of Rs. 15,000 is given to an individual serving the cause of persons with disabilities. An award of Rs. 25,000 is given to an institute serving the cause of persons with disabilities. The awards are given subject to selection by a state level committee. Persons with disabilities selected for awards should have a minimum of 40 per cent disability.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities who are employees of the government are covered by a group insurance scheme. In case of death of any employee with disability due to an accident while in service, the sum insured would be paid to the family of the deceased employee as follows:</p>
<table class="plain">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Category</th><th>Sum Assured</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group A</td>
<td>Rs. 1, 20,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group B</td>
<td>Rs. 60,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group C</td>
<td>Rs. 30,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Group D</td>
<td>Rs. 15,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Employees of the government with 40 per cent or more disability are covered under this scheme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities who are not employees of the Puducherry government are covered under the Insurance Scheme for Persons with Disabilities other than the employees of the Government of Puducherry 2004. In case of death of the disabled person due to an accident, an amount of Rs. 25,000 is paid to the family. In case of loss of one limb or one eye, an amount of Rs. 12,500 is paid to the person. The policy covers persons with disabilities in the age group of five to 74 years with disability of 40 per cent or more and who are residents of Puducherry for not less than five years.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry issues identity cards to persons with disabilities for ready reference to avail the benefits of welfare schemes. Persons with disability of not less than 40 per cent and whose total income does not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum are eligible to apply for identity cards.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides marriage grant for persons with disabilities. For marriage between a disabled person and a non disabled person, a grant of Rs. 25,000 is provided, of which Rs. 5000 is given in cash and Rs. 20,000 is given in the form of National Savings Certificate. For marriage between persons with disabilities, a grant of Rs. 50,000 is given. Of this, Rs. 20,000 is paid in cash and Rs. 30,000 is given in the form of National Savings Certificate. Persons with disabilities applying for this grant should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should be above the age of 18 years (in case of women) and 21 years (in case of men).</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or above</li>
<li>Should be the first marriage of the applicant</li>
<li>Marriage should be registered with the registrar</li>
<li>Should be a resident of the union territory of Puducherry</li>
<li>Application for the grant should be made within 120 days of the marriage</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry implements a scheme to provide subsidy on fuel to persons with disabilities who own motorised vehicles. The scheme provides 50 per cent subsidy on fuel to a maximum of 25 litres per month. Applicants who fulfil the following eligibility criteria are eligible to apply:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for more than five years</li>
<li>The vehicle should be registered in the name of the applicant</li>
<li>Applicant should have a valid driver’s licence</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry grants financial assistance to persons with disabilities. Persons whose extent of disabilities are between 40 percent and 65 per cent are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1100 per month, those with disabilities between 66 per cent and 85 per cent are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1400 per month and persons with more than 86 per cent disabilities are eligible for a grant of Rs. 1750 per month. Persons applying for financial assistance should not have income exceeding Rs. 35,000 per annum and should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. Extent of disabilities for visually impaired, orthopedically disabled and hearing and speech impaired should be 40 per cent or more and those with mental disabilities should have an IQ less than 69 to be eligible to apply.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government offers reimbursement for maintenance of tricycles for persons with disabilities. A grant of Rs. 200 per annum is offered to persons who fulfil the following criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
<li>Tricycle should have been supplied by the Department or NGO free of cost</li>
<li>Applicant should produce the bill for repair charges issued in their name</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government supplies motorised tricycles free of cost to persons with locomotor disability affecting the lower limbs. The disability should be not less than 65 per cent. Total annual income of the applicant’s family should not exceed Rs. 35,000. Applicant should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. The applicant should be certified by the concerned medical authority that he or she is able to operate the motorised vehicle. The applicant should not be in receipt of transport allowance for conveyance from the department or any other source. The applicant should be in gainful employment or be pursuing higher studies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are provided aids and appliances such as callipers, crutches, tricycles, hearing aids, spectacles and low vision aids by the government upon the advice of the specialists concerned attached to government general hospitals at Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Persons applying for these appliances should have an income not exceeding Rs. 24,000 per annum, should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and the extent of their disability should be 40 per cent or more.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government provides free bus passes to persons with disabilities for travelling within the union territory. Persons with at least 40 per cent disabilities, who are residents of Puducherry for not less than five years and whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 35,000 are eligible to apply for the free bus passes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are eligible to receive Rs. 100 per month through Anganwadi centres towards transport allowance. Persons applying for the allowance should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should be above five years of age</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should not have any formal educational qualification</li>
<li>Should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">If the applicant is in possession of free bus pass, he or she should surrender the same to the Directorate of Social Welfare. Applicant should also declare in the application form whether he or she would prefer to avail the transport allowance or the free bus pass.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Organisations working for the welfare of persons with disabilities are eligible to received musical and sports equipment from the government. Organisations must be registered to be eligible for this scheme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with visual impairment are eligible to receive a radio from the government. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should have been a resident of Puducherry for not less than five years</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Persons with disabilities are provided sarees and dhotis during Deepavali and other regional festivals. Persons wishing to benefit from the scheme should have at least 40 per cent disability, should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and should have registered themselves with the local Anganwadi centres.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry conducts a free annual tour for persons with disabilities to places of interest. Participants are selected for the tour conditionally upon meeting the following eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Should be in the age group of 18 to 50 years</li>
<li>Extent of disability should be 40 per cent or more</li>
<li>Should not be a government employee or child of a government employee</li>
<li>Income should not exceed Rs. 35,000 per annum</li>
<li>Should not have attended the tour in the past ten years</li>
<li>Should not suffer from any contagious diseases</li>
<li>Should have registered their names in the local Anganwadi centres</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government of Puducherry celebrates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December every year with activities and games.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry implements the Perunthalaivar Karmaveerar Kamaraj scheme towards funeral expenses of persons with disabilities. A grant of Rs. 2000 is given for the funeral expenses of persons with at least 40 per cent disability who have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years and whose income was less than Rs. 35,000 per annum. The grant is paid to the family member under whose care the deceased person was living at the time of his or her death.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Miscellaneous</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Puducherry offers cash incentive to eye donors to encourage eye donation. An incentive of Rs. 10,000 is awarded to a close relative of the donor. Donors should be 18 years of age or older to be eligible. Donors should have resided in Puducherry for not less than five years. The incentive can be claimed by a close relative only after the transplantation is completed. The incentive can be claimed only upto 90 days after the transplantation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "> </p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. <a class="external-link" href="http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/puducherry.html">http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/puducherry.html</a></p>
<p>[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>].<a class="external-link" href="http://indiatext.net/states-of-india/">http://indiatext.net/states-of-india/</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments</a>
</p>
No publisheranandiAccessibility2013-11-07T06:12:33ZBlog EntryAugust 2013 Bulletin
http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/august-2013-bulletin
<b>Our newsletter for the month of August 2013 can be accessed below. </b>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) welcomes you to the eighth issue of its newsletter for the year 2013. In this issue we are glad to bring you the final report on <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/banking-and-accessibility-in-india-report">banking and accessibility</a> submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, a <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/bilateral-inhibiting-treaty-investigating-challenges-that-bilateral-investment-treaties-pose-to-compulsory-licensing-of-pervasive-technology-patent-pools">research paper</a> on India’s obligations under bilateral investment treaties, a <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/konkani-wikipedia-advances-in-four-days">report from a Wikipedia workshop</a> held at the Konkani Department in Goa University, a <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/report-on-the-sixth-privacy-roundtable-meeting-new-delhi">report on the sixth privacy roundtable</a> held in New Delhi, recent <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news">news coverage</a>, and updates on our upcoming events.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Archives of our newsletters are <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/">here</a>. Our policies on Ethical Research Guidelines, Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities, Privacy, Terms of Website Use and Travel can be<a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/policies"> accessed here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Jobs</b><br /> CIS is inviting applications for the posts of <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/jobs/vacancy-for-developer">Developer</a> (NVDA Screen Reader Project). To apply for this post, send in your resume to Nirmita Narasimhan (<a href="mailto:nirmita@cis-india.org">nirmita@cis-india.org</a>). CIS is also seeking applications for the post of <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/jobs/policy-associate-internet-governance">Policy Associate</a> (Internet Governance). To apply send your resume to Sunil Abraham (<a href="mailto:sunil@cis-india.org">sunil@cis-india.org</a>) and Pranesh Prakash (<a href="mailto:pranesh@cis-india.org">pranesh@cis-india.org</a>).</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility" class="external-link">Accessibility</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its project on creating a national resource kit of state-wise laws, policies and programmes on issues relating to persons with disabilities in India with the Hans Foundation, we bring you three new draft chapters on Assam, Manipur and Puducherry. With this we have completed compilation of draft chapters for 21 states and 3 union territories. Feedback and comments are invited from readers for the below chapters:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-assam-chapter-call-for-comments">The Assam Chapter</a> (by CLPR, August 28, 2013)</li>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/national-resource-kit-manipur-chapter-call-for-comments">The Manipur Chapter</a> (by CLPR, August 29, 2013)</li>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ational-resource-kit-puducherry-chapter-call-for-comments">The Puducherry Chapter</a> (by Anandhi Viswanathan, August 31, 2013)</li>
</ul>
<p>Note: <i>All the chapters published on the website are early drafts and will be reviewed and updated</i>.</p>
<p><b>Reports</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/banking-and-accessibility-in-india-report">Banking and Accessibility in India: A Report by CIS</a> (by Vrinda Maheshwari, August 12, 2013). This is the final report submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/opening-new-avenues-for-empowerment">Opening New Avenues for Empowerment</a> (by UNESCO, August 31, 2013). UNESCO has published a global report on higher education titled “Opening New Avenues for Empowerment”. Nirmita Narasimhan was the coordinating author for the Asia Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> and <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness">Openness</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project on developing the growth of Indic language communities</a> with Wikimedia Foundation, <a href="http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/India_Access_To_Knowledge/Programme_Plan">CIS-A2K</a> held six Wikipedia workshops. CIS is also doing a project (Pervasive Technologies) on examining the relationship between production of pervasive technologies and intellectual property. CIS also promotes openness including open government data, open standards, open access, and free/libre/open source software through its Openness programme.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k"><b>Access to Knowledge</b></a><b><br />Research Paper</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/bilateral-inhibiting-treaty-investigating-challenges-that-bilateral-investment-treaties-pose-to-compulsory-licensing-of-pervasive-technology-patent-pools">India's Obligations under Bilateral Investment Treaties (Part A): “Bilateral Inhibiting Treaty?” — Investigating the Challenges that Bilateral Investment Treaties pose to the Compulsory Licensing of Pervasive Technology Patent Pools</a> (by Gavin Pereira, August 31, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Column</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/yojana-august-2013-pranesh-prakash-copyrights-and-copywrongs-why-the-govt-should-embrace-the-public-domain">Copyrights and Copywrongs Why the Government Should Embrace the Public Domain</a> (by Pranesh Prakash, Yojana, Issue: August 2013).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Media Coverage</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b> </b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<b> </b>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/livemint-august-26-2013-ch-unnikrishnan-dictionary-words-in-software-patent-guidelines-puzzle-industry">Dictionary words in software patent guidelines puzzle industry</a> (by C.H. Unnikrishnan, Livemint, August 26, 2013). CIS work on Access to Knowledge is mentioned.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/are-indian-consumers-laws-ready-for-digital-age">Are Indian Consumer Laws Ready for the Digital Age?</a> (by Vipul Kharbanda, August 8, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/do-you-have-right-to-unlock-your-smart-phone">Do You Have the Right to Unlock Your Smart Phone?</a> (by Puneeth Nagaraj, August 7, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Access to Knowledge (Wikipedia)</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The <a href="http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Access_To_Knowledge/Team" title="Access To Knowledge/Team">A2K team</a> consists of four members based in Bangalore: <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/people/our-team">T. Vishnu Vardhan</a>, <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/people/our-team">Dr. U.B. Pavanaja</a>, <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/people/our-team">Subhashish Panigrahi</a> and <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/people/our-team">Syed Muzammiluddin</a>, and one team member <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/people/our-team">Nitika Tandon</a> who works from Delhi.</p>
<p><b>Event Reports</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/a-kannada-wikipedia-workshop-at-krishnarajapet">A Kannada Wikipedia Workshop at Krishnarajapet</a> (by Dr. U.B. Pavanaja, August 14, 2013). The workshop was co-organized by the CIS-A2K team along with Kannada Sahitya Parishat of KR Pet.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/odia-wikipedia-workshop-sambalpur">An Odia Wikipedia Workshop at Sambalpur</a> (by Gorvachove Pothal, August 27, 2013). This workshop was held at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, Sambalpur on July 26 and 27, 2013. Odia Wikipedian Gorvachove Pothal organized this workshop with financial support from the CIS-A2K programme.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/a2k/blog/konkani-wikipedia-climbing-up-the-indian-language-ladder">Konkani Wikipedia — Climbing up the Indian Language Ladder?</a> (by Subhashish Panigrahi, August 31, 2013). CIS-A2K team organized this event at the Konkani Department, Goa University from August 21 to 24, 2013.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/konkani-wikipedia-advances-in-four-days">Konkani Wikipedia Advances in 4 Days — From 90 Articles to 130 Articles!</a> (by Nitika Tandon, August 31, 2013). CIS-A2K team organized this event at the Konkani Department, Goa University from August 21 to 24, 2013. Thirty-eight students took part in the wiki editing workshop.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Co-organised</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/digitization-of-books-for-indic-language-wikisource">Digitization of Books for Indic Language WikiSource</a> (organised by Wikimedia India and CIS-A2K, CIS, Bangalore, August 18, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/workshop-on-editing-wikipedia-in-mumbai">A Workshop on Editing Wikipedia in Mumbai</a> (organised by the Centre for Indian Languages in Higher Education and CIS-A2K, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, August 24, 2013). The workshop was aimed at assisting students to take part in the Indian Languages Mela at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (September 20-21, 2013) which is hosting a competition for best Indian language entries on Wikipedia.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event Hosted</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/mobile-training-workshop">Mobile Training Workshop @ CIS</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 29, 2013). Rachita and Keerthana Chandrashekar gave a talk on mobile campaigns.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Participated</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://wikimania2013.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_page">Wikimania 2013: The International Wikimedia Conference</a> (organised by Wikimedia Foundation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, August 7 – 11, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan and Subhashish Panigrahi participated in the event.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/wikimedia-asia-meeting">Wikimedia Asia Meeting</a> (organised by Wikimedia community, Hong Kong, August 10, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan and Subhashish Panigrahi participated in the meeting. <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/wikimedia-asia-meeting.txt">Unedited transcript</a> of the entire conversation is posted online.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/telugu-wiki-meet-up-hyderabad-august-2013">వికీపీడియా:సమావేశం/హైదరాబాద్/ఆగష్టు</a> (Hyderabad, August 25, 2013). T.Vishnu Vardhan participated for the meeting through Skype.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Media Coverage</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/beforeitnews-august-1-2013-wikipedia-gains-massive-traffic-thanks-to-vernacular-languages">Wikipedia Gains Massive Traffic Thanks To Vernacular Languages</a> (Before It’s News, August 1, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/times-of-india-august-1-2013-sandhya-soman-wikipedia-boom-in-marathi-malayalam-other-desi-languages">Wikipedia boom in Marathi, Malayalam and other desi languages</a> (by Sandhya Soman, The Times of India, August 1, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/dna-august-1-2013-divya-saboo-wikipedia-boom-in-vernacular-languages">Wikipedia boom in vernacular languages</a> (by Divya Saboo, August 1, 2013). The Centre for Internet and Society is mentioned.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/hindu-r-krishna-kumar-august-2-2013-stress-on-posting-articles-on-kannada-wikipedia">Stress on posting articles on Kannada Wikipedia</a> (by R. Krishna Kumar, Hindu, August 2, 2013). Dr. U.B.Pavanaja is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/techcrunch-august-6-2013-mahesh-sharma-indias-indigenous-languages-drive-wikipedias-growth">India’s Indigenous Languages Drive Wikipedia’s Growth</a> (by Mahesh Sharma, TechCrunch, August 6, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/prajavani-august-12-2013-krishnarajapet-workshop">Krishnarajapet Wikipedia Workshop Coverage</a> (Prajavani, August 12, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/vijaya-vani-august-12-2013-krishnarajapet-wikipedia-workshop">Krishnarajapet Wikipedia Workshop Coverage</a> (Vijaya Vani, August 12, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/suvarna-times-of-karnataka-august-12-2013-krishnarajapet-workshop">Krishnarajapet Wikipedia Workshop Coverage</a> (Suvarna Times of Karnataka, August 12, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/thegoan-joyce-dias-august-24-2013-wikipedia-writes-a-new-script">Wikipedia writes a new script</a> (by Joyce Dias, August 24, 2013, The Goan). CIS-A2K workshop held in Goa is mentioned extensively. Nitika Tandon and Subhashish Panigrahi are quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/epaperoheraldo-august-24-2013-diana-fernandes-konkani-wikipedia-makes-headway-">Konkani Wikipedia makes headway</a> (by Diana Fernandes, OHeraldO, August 24, 2013). Nitika Tandon is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/?ref=Guzels.TV">Konkani Wikipedians Speak</a> (Goan Voice Daily Newsletter, September 4, 2013). Konkani Wikipedia workshop organized in Goa from August 21 – 24, 2013 is mentioned in this newsletter.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Ongoing / Upcoming Events<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/wikipedia-training-in-telugu-for-b-r-ambedkar-open-university">Wikipedia Training in Telugu for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad</a> (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, September 5-6, 2013). T. Vishnu Vardhan is teaching a module on "Knowledge and Openness in the Digital Era".</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/you-too-can-write-on-wikipedia">You too can write on Wikipedia</a>! — Orientation Workshop (co-organised by CIS-A2K and the Centre for Contemporary Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, September 15, 2013). </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/events/train-the-trainer">Train the Trainer — Four-day long Residential Training Workshop in Bangalore</a> (organised by CIS-A2K, Bangalore, October 1 – 5, 2013). <i>The programme will be held in the first week of October</i>.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/voices-from-goa">Voices from Goa: Frania Pereira tells Why She Writes Articles on Konkani Wikipedia</a> (by Subhashish Panigrahi, August 27, 2013). </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/blog/voices-from-goa-wikipedia-editor-rusita-paryekar">Voices from Goa: Wikipedia Editor Rusita Paryekar</a> (by Subhashish Panigrahi, August 27, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Openness</h3>
<p><b>Event Hosted </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/openness/open-hardware-lab">Open Hardware Lab: Play & Invent + Bonus Film Screening</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 4, 2013). A hangout was done with CIS Lab Community and with members of the Computer Club of India and Arduino enthusiasts.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event Participated</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/e-dirap-google-hangout-on-open-government">e-DIRAP Google+ Hangout on Open Government</a> (organised by Google, July 25, 2013). Sunil Abraham was a panelist. </li>
</ul>
<p><b>Media Coverage</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/tech-president-august-6-2013-david-eaves-beyond-property-rights-thinking-about-moral-definitions-openness">Beyond Property Rights: Thinking About Moral Definitions of Openness</a> (by David Eaves, Tech President, August 6, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/techdirt-august-14-2013-glyn-moody-extending-spectrum-openness-to-include-moral-right-to-share">Extending The Spectrum Of Openness To Include The Moral Right To Share</a> (by Glyn Moody, Techdirt, August 19, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">CIS began two projects earlier this year. The first one on facilitating research and events on surveillance and freedom of expression is with Privacy International and support from the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The second one on mapping cyber security actors in South Asia and South East Asia is with the Citizen Lab, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto and support from the International Development Research Centre, Canada:</p>
<h3>SAFEGUARDS Project</h3>
<p><b>Event Report</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/report-on-the-sixth-privacy-roundtable-meeting-new-delhi">Sixth Privacy Roundtable</a> (co-organised by CIS, FICCI and DSCI, New Delhi, August 24, 2013). Bhairav Acharya and Prachi Arya participated in this event. The discussions and recommendations from the six round table meetings will be presented at the Internet Governance meeting in October 2013.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Newspaper / Magazine Columns</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/forbesindia-article-august-21-2013-sunil-abraham-freedom-from-monitoring">Freedom from Monitoring: India Inc Should Push For Privacy Laws</a> (by Sunil Abraham, Forbes India Magazine, August 21, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/indian-express-august-25-2013-nishant-shah-out-of-the-bedroom">Out of the Bedroom</a> (by Nishant Shah, Indian Express, August 25, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/saket-modi-calls-for-stronger-cyber-security-discussions">'Ethical Hacker' Saket Modi Calls for Stronger Cyber Security Discussions</a> (by Kovey Coles, August 5, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/ethical-issues-in-open-data">Ethical Issues in Open Data</a> (by Kovey Coles, August 7, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/fin-fisher-in-india-and-myth-of-harmless-metadata">FinFisher in India and the Myth of Harmless Metadata</a> (by Maria Xynou, August 13, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Organised</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/the-hackers-way-of-reshaping-policies">The Hackers Way of Reshaping Policies</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 2, 2013). Bernadette Langle gave a talk on different ways to reshape policies.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/cryptoparty-chennai">Chennai: Learn to Protect your Online Activities!</a> (Asian College of Journalism, Taramani, Chennai, August 7, 2013). A Crypto Party was organised.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/the-phishing-society-a-talk-by-maria-xynou">The Phishing Society: Why 'Facebook' is more dangerous than the Government Spying on You - A Talk by Maria Xynou</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 7, 2013). Maria Xynou gave a talk on phishing society.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/cryptoparty-chennai">Learn to Protect your Online Activities!</a> (ACJ - Asian College of Journalism, Second Main Road (Behind M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation), Taramani, Chennai, August 7, 2013).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/privacy-meeting-brussels-bangalore">Privacy Meeting: Brussels – Bangalore</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 14, 2013). Gertjan Boulet and Dariusz Kloza gave a talk on privacy.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/cryptoparty-bangalore">Learn to Protect your Online Activities!</a> (CIS, Bangalore, August 17, 2013). A Crypto Party was held at CIS.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Participated In</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/repeat-remix-remediate-summer-school-2013">Summer School 2013</a> (organized by the Research Center of Media and Communication at the University of Hamburg, Germany, July 29 – August 2, 2013). Dr. Nishant Shah was a panelist in the session on "Guilty until Proven Innocent: Pirates, Pornographers, Terrorists and the IT Act in India".</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/meeting-of-sub-committee-on-dna-profiling-bill">Meeting of a Sub-committee on DNA Profiling Bill</a> (Hyderabad, August 6, 2013). Sunil Abraham participated in this meeting for discussing the draft bill.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/foundation-for-media-professionals-august-17-2013-surveillance-privacy-v-security">Surveillance: Privacy Vs Security</a> (organized by the Foundation for Media Professionals, India International Centre, New Delhi, August 17, 2013). Pranesh Prakash was a panelist.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Media Coverage</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/caravan-magazine-august-1-2013-rahul-m-crypto-night">Crypto Night</a> (by Rahul M., Caravan, August 1, 2013). Pranesh Prakash and Bernadette Langle are quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/the-times-of-india-aug-1-2013-kim-arora-facebook-limiting-access-to-social-media-can-restrict-freedom-of-speech">Facebook: Limiting access to social media can restrict freedom of speech</a> (by Kim Arora, The Times of India, August 1, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/the-hindu-august-4-2013-deepa-kurup-token-disclosures">Token disclosures?</a> (by Deepa Kurup, The Hindu, August 4, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/the-times-of-india-august-4-2013-padmaparna-ghosh-memea-s-the-word-now">Meme’s the word now</a> (by Padmaparna Ghosh, The Times of India, August 4, 2013). Nishant Shah is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/livemint-august-9-2013-moulishree-srivastava-anirban-sen-chinese-hackers-baiting-indian-govt-corporate-employees">Chinese hackers baiting Indian govt, corporate employees: report</a> (by Moulishree Srivastava and Anirban Sen, Livemint, August 9, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/ndtv-the-social-network-mixed-signals-supreme-court-notices-to-states-on-facebook-arrests">Mixed signals? Supreme Court notices to states on Facebook arrests</a> (NDTV, August 16, 2013). Pranesh Prakash, Shreya Singhal and Faizal Farooqui discussed the grey areas of the IT Act.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/the-hindu-august-19-2013-prashant-jha-balancing-vigilance-and-privacy">Balancing vigilance and privacy</a> (by Prashant Jha, The Hindu, August 18, 2013). Pranesh Prakash is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/forbesindia-august-13-2013-rohin-dharmakumar-how-nextgen-smartphone-users-are-being-bought-and-sold">How Next-Gen Smartphone Users are Being Bought and Sold</a> (by Rohin Dharmakumar, <a href="http://forbesindia.com/article/checkin/how-nextgen-smartphone-users-are-being-bought-and-sold/35859/1">Forbes India Magazine</a>, August 13, 2013, and <a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/news/how-nextgen-smartphone-users-are-being-bought-and-sold/415719-11.html">IBN Live</a>, August 19, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/forbesindia-august-22-2013-rohin-dharmakumar-dear-milind-deora-prakash-javadekar-deserved-the-truth">Dear Milind Deora, Prakash Javadekar Deserved The Truth</a> (by Rohin Dharmakumar, Forbes India, August 22, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/livemint-august-26-2013-venkatesh-upadhyay-election-campaign">Election campaign: parties draw battle lines on media platforms</a> (by Venkatesh Upadhyay, Livemint, August 26, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/forbesindia-august-26-2013-india-internet-privacy-woes">India's Internet Privacy Woes</a> (by Rohin Dharmakumar, Forbes India Magazine, August 26, 2013). Pranesh Prakash is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/times-of-india-august-30-2013-cyberspying-govt-may-ban-gmail-for-official-communication">Cyberspying: Government may ban Gmail for official communication</a> (The Times of India, August 30, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-register-neil-mc-allister-august-30-2013-indian-govt-to-bar-politicians-from-using-gmail-for-official-business">Indian government to bar politicians from using Gmail for official business</a> (by Neil McAllister, The Register, August 30, 2013). Sunil Abraham is quoted.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Cyber Stewards Project</b><br />Laird Brown, a strategic planner and writer with core competencies on brand analysis, public relations and resource management and Purba Sarkar who in the past worked as a strategic advisor in the field of SAP Retail are working in this project.</p>
<p><b>Video Interview</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
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<li>Part 9: <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/cis-cybersecurity-series-part-9-saikat-datta">Interview with Saikat Datta</a> (August 5, 2013).</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/about/telecom">Telecom</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">CIS has published one newspaper column in the Business Standard and also made a submission to TRAI:</p>
<p><b>Newspaper Column</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/telecom/blog/organizing-india-blogspot-shyam-ponappa-august-1-2013-domestic-high-tech-manufacturing-needs-access-to-markets">Breaking into the Closed Circle: Domestic High-Tech Manufacturing Needs Access To Markets</a> (by Shyam Ponappa, originally published in the Business Standard, July 31, 2013 and also mirrored in Organizing India Blogspot, August 1, 2013).</li>
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<p><b>Submission</b></p>
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<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/telecom/blog/trai-consultation-paper-on-spectrum">TRAI Consultation Paper on Spectrum</a> (by Shyam Ponappa and A.B. Beliappa, August 31, 2013). The submission was made to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on August 21, 2013.</li>
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<h3><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/digital-humanities">Digital Humanities</a></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We are building research clusters in the field of Digital Humanities. The Digital will be used as a way of unpacking the debates in humanities and social sciences and look at the new frameworks, concepts and ideas that emerge in our engagement with the digital. The clusters aim to produce and document new conversations and debates that shape the contours of Digital Humanities in Asia.</p>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<ul>
<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/digital-humanities/digital-humanities-talk-at-cis">Digital Humanities Talk</a> (by Sara Morais, August 1, 2013). Sara wrote about her talk in this blog entry.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/raw/theorizing-the-digital-subaltern">Theorizing the Digital Subaltern</a> (by Sara Morais, August 2, 2013). </li>
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<p><b>Event Organised</b></p>
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<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/digital-natives/digital-humanities-for-indian-higher-education">Digital Humanities for Indian Higher Education</a> (co-organised by CIS-A2K, HEIRA, CSCS, Tumkur University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and CCS-Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, July 13, 2013). <i>Errata</i>: <i>We had got the name of one of the co-organisers wrong in our previous newsletter. We have corrected this now.</i> </li>
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<p><b>Event Participated In</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
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<b> </b>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/news/south-asia-conference-on-higher-education">South Asia Conference on Higher Education</a> (organised by the Centre for Study of Culture and Society, Ford Foundation Office, New Delhi, August 5 – 7, 2013). Sunil Abraham participated in this conference.</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/">About CIS</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Centre for Internet and Society is a non-profit research organization that works on policy issues relating to freedom of expression, privacy, accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge and IPR reform, and openness (including open government, FOSS, open standards, etc.), and engages in academic research on digital natives and digital humanities.<br /><b>Follow us elsewhere</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Get short, timely messages from us on <a href="https://twitter.com/cis_india">Twitter</a></li>
<li>Join the CIS group on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/28535315687/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Visit us at <a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/">http://cis-india.org</a></li>
</ul>
<p>*Support Us*</p>
<p>Please help us defend consumer / citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of ‘The Centre for Internet and Society’ and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd ‘C’ Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru – 5600 71.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Request for Collaboration</b><br />We invite researchers, practitioners, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to collaboratively engage with Internet and society and improve our understanding of this new field. To discuss the research collaborations, write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at <a href="mailto:sunil@cis-india.org">sunil@cis-india.org</a> or Nishant Shah, Director – Research, at <a href="mailto:nishant@cis-india.org">nishant@cis-india.org</a></p>
<p><i>CIS is grateful to its donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation and the Kusuma Trust which was founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin, for its core funding and support for most of its projects.</i></p>
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For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/august-2013-bulletin'>http://editors.cis-india.org/about/newsletters/august-2013-bulletin</a>
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No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceDigital HumanitiesOpennessResearchers at Work2013-09-13T06:26:30ZPageThe ICT Opportunity for a Disability-Inclusive Development Framework
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ict-opportunity-for-disability-inclusive-development-framework
<b>This report has been prepared by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, G3ict, International Disability Alliance, International Telecommunication Union, Microsoft, Telecentre.org Foundation, and UNESCO. </b>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">Click to <a class="external-link" href="http://www.itu.int/en/action/accessibility/Documents/The%20ICT%20Opportunity%20for%20a%20Disability_Inclusive%20Development%20Framework.pdf">read the original published by ITU here</a>.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) was one of the organizations whose experiences, views, recommendations and proposals went into the making of this report. CIS name is mentioned in Annex 1 on page 57.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The report demonstrates how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), have become a positive force of transformation and a crucial element of any personal development, empowerment and institutional framework for inclusive development.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">While the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) represent a concerted effort to address global poverty, there is a striking gap in the current MDGs and their inclusion of persons with disabilities. The estimated 1 billion persons with disabilities are still excluded from equitable access to resources (education, healthcare, etc.) and as a result persons with disabilities experience disproportionately high rates of poverty. In spite of the conclusion of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006, disability remains largely invisible in most mainstream development processes.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ict-disability-inclusive-framework.pdf" class="internal-link">Click to download the full report here</a>.</p>
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For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ict-opportunity-for-disability-inclusive-development-framework'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/ict-opportunity-for-disability-inclusive-development-framework</a>
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No publishernirmitaAccessibility2013-09-30T07:25:26ZBlog EntryComments on Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 'Vision Document 2030'
http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-depds-vision-document-2030
<b>The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) submitted comments for the consideration of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) on the Vision Document 2030 brought out earlier this month.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We appreciate the efforts by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) to put together a vision and strategy document to inform and direct the implementation of the new Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD), and give effect to the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in various international treaties.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Overall, we recommend that the vision articulate more clearly in terms of quantifiable targets what it seeks to achieve at different points of time and that these targets, while taking into account the realistic situation in our country, are not so minimally set as to undermine the aims of the Act and the national commitments outlined therein.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We submit that it be kept in mind that this is not the first time that a national conversation has taken place around accessibility and standards, and that many previous attempts such as the Guidelines on Indian Government Websites (GIGW) have been in existence for nearly 8 years.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Therefore, we submit that the steps taken towards implementing this act should be more ambitious, and should seek to resolve the issue within the next 2-3 years. Accordingly please find our brief comments below:</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Background</h3>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Section 2(i) is as follows: Vision: ‘To build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities so that they can lead productive, safe and dignified lives.’ We propose the addition of the word ‘integration/inclusion/assimilation’ as in the phrase ‘growth, integration and development’, since that implies social acceptance, which is crucial. We also propose the addition of one more sentence as follows: ‘To enable access to technology and technology enabled resources for every person with a disability to facilitate effective communication and integration in society, as well as to ensure that accessibility considerations and standards are included across the board in all government programmes and initiatives.’</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">We propose in 3(a) - the inclusion of the word technologies in the phrase ‘providing appropriate aids and appliances.’ This is important since aids and appliances are not always technology-based and often times a new technology may be suitable, efficient and contemporary to address a specific need.</li>
<li>We propose in 3(b) - the inclusion of the word accessibility in the phrase ‘developing rehabilitation professionals/personnel.’</li>
</ol>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Long Term Vision by 2030</h3>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Inclusion of curriculum related to e-accessibility such as knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and universal design principles in all institutes and institutions teaching courses in engineering, computer science, IT etc.</li>
<li>Inclusion of disability-related issues in the curriculum of university courses in other fields as well, such as law, sociology, economics, and architecture. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Creation of a mechanism to gather more comprehensive and accurate data on persons with disabilities, such as their levels of access to technologies, information and basic resources and amenities.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Provision of training to use computers for students and children with disabilities in rural areas and provide training to students receiving aids and appliances as part of schemes. In addition, the Government should also focus on providing appropriate training and access to appropriate content in order to make full use of these technologies.</li>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><br /><b>Seven Years' Strategy</b></p>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The point about making documents, buildings, websites, documents etc. accessible under the Accessible India campaign <a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a> is appreciated; however, it should be accompanied with a mechanism for transparency and accountability. This should include periodic reports giving updates on the details of websites, documents, etc. taken up for retrofitting. At the moment, this information is not available on any of the public domain web sites such as the Accessible India campaign URLs, and repeated RTIs have failed to make this information available. Hence, there is no clarity on what the exact number of URLs and documents which have been made accessible so far is. Without accountability built into this procedure moving forward, there is very little to ensure that it happens.</li>
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<h3>Three Years Strategy</h3>
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<li style="text-align: justify; ">Review of legislations for persons with disabilities : we propose that a time line be set for this, say within 6 months and a list of existing and new policy/ legislation requiring interventions/ formulation be drawn up for action. Priority tasks could be to take up accessible procurement, accessibility of mobile applications, web sites and electronic documents.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">One of the foremost tasks should be to identify and notify appropriate standards for different domains of accessibility such as procurement, electronic documents, television and so on, as well as reaffirm/ update any existing standards already recognized by the Government so that the process of retrofitting existing resources, as well as building new accessible ones commences at the earliest.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">It is recommended that the Government of India put together an advisory committee of subject matter experts from NGOs and other civil society bodies who can advise on initiatives to be taken for environmental and information accessibility.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Regarding the plan for making 50% of all government web sites and documents accessible<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2] </a>, this target needs to be revised. The Accessible India campaign, which lists the same target in its strategy document,<a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3] </a>has already been underway for the past one and a half years, and we hope that this target would have already been achieved under those efforts. Hence, if the Government sets a target of 50% over the next three years, this implies either that work has not been taking place thus far, or that very little will be done over that period of time. Furthermore, the RPWD Act requires all service providers to make their services accessible within 2 years of notification of regulation by the Central Government<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4]</a>, hence the time stipulated under the Act is much lesser than the vision is providing for and should be amended to making all web sites and documents accessible within 2 years. It may further be noted that the GIGW had been notified since 2009 and despite being in place for eight years, there is currently no official information on how many websites been made fully compliant with these standards. Therefore, we submit that a strict approach with regard to any deadlines and regulatory measures are necessary.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">It is respectfully submitted that the number of 500 language interpreters<a href="#fn5" name="fr5">[5] </a> is simply not enough. This would work out to approximately 15 interpreters per state in 3 years, a number that we consider far too low for the time allotted. We submit instead that it is urgent that an attempt be made to train at least 30 people per state/UT per year, which would work out to 90 interpreters per state/UT over the 3-year period.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">It is crucial the DEPD try to work with the Digital India campaign and the Smart Cities Mission to ensure that upcoming smart cities are born accessible. To this end, there needs to be specific measures to ensure that accessibility standards are part of the Terms of Reference and contracts for smart cities and that there is sufficient guidance and accountability for this.</li>
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<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. Section C.6</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. Section D.6</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. http://www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Accessible%20India%20Campaign_Brochure.pdf</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. Chapter VIII, Section 46</p>
<p>[<a href="#fr5" name="fn5">5</a>]. Section D.7</p>
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For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-depds-vision-document-2030'>http://editors.cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-depds-vision-document-2030</a>
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No publishernirmitaAccessibility2017-02-28T15:58:55ZBlog Entry