Braille Library

Braille Library

Braille Library is an important service offered by the VBLN library. The Braille Unit at Visva-Bharati was started in August 2012 at Central Library, and its other unit has also been started at Vinay Bhavana Library (Institute of Education Library) since February 2014. In the beginning, there were only 5 Braille students, but presently, we have more than 30 Braille students in different subjects and in other courses like Undergraduate, Postgraduate, B.Ed., Ph.D., etc. It helps users provide specialized services devoted to the reading needs of the visually impaired and cultivates reading habits among them.

Software and Hardware available in the Braille Unit:-

• Supernova: It is commercial software and has two functions. One is Desktop Reader. This reader can read out all the actions that take place on the desktop like ‘save’, ‘delete,’ ‘desktop icon’, ‘start’ etc. Another is Write-Read. Through this, it can read back what you type and also any text file line by line. It also assists in browsing the Internet as it can speak about.
• NVDA: It is a software (Open Access Software) having all the features of Supernova. We have five computers with NVDA enabled.
• Readit Wand: This unit has a scanner-cum-reading machine. If users put any documents under the scanner and press enter, it will scan the whole page and starts reading. The scanned documents can also be saved into various file formats, likewise PDF, Word, Text, and MP3. According to the convenience of the user, the voice, volume, and pace of reading may be changed. There is also an option for a person having low vision to magnify the screen and convert the color of the screen background and text.
• NVDA & Braille Embosser: NVDA is software to open a file (containing printable matter) to convert into Braille format. Braille Embosser is hardware (printer) that can print a file in Braille. It has the facility to print/emboss on both sides of a page simultaneously.
• Kibo - Inclusive Education for Blind: Kibo is an end-to-end solution to empower blind and visually-impaired students towards inclusive education by enabling them to Listen, Translate, Digitize & Audio'tize™ printed, handwritten and even scanned, digital documents across 60 global languages (More).

Additional Facilities / Devices:-

• Talking Typing: This device helps new users practice typing and the operation of computers.
• Daisy Book Reader: It is a small portable device (like a Kindle for e-book reading) that can read any file (PDF, Word, Text, doc, audio, and video). This device can also do voice recording in any language. This reader also has FM radio with a direct recording facility.
• Adjustable High-Power Optical Lens Spectacles: This spectacle has two layers of the lens which can be adjusted according to one’s visibility requirements. It is helpful for the persons having low visibility.
• Special Keyboards: This is an exceptional keyboard with comparatively large font and fluorescent yellow-colored keys to enhance visibility. It is also helpful for the persons having low visibility.
• Magnifier Mouse: It is helpful for persons having low visibility. The magnifier has a camera, and when it scrolls over the text, it magnifies the document's current position on the screen, and hence users can read the enlarged text very quickly.
• Seika Cell Braille Display: This is also a small portable device (like a mathematical instrument box) that helps to read texts that appear on the computer screen as Braille and have the option to stop in any line and correct the spellings on the text.
• BAT (Single Hand Keyboard): This compact input device performs all the functions just like the full-size keyboard, and it is operated by one hand. It is an ultimate typing solution for persons having physical or visual impairments.
• Foot Mouse (Slipper Mouse) with Programmable Paddle: It is conducive to persons with physical impairment as not having both hands. It has all the features and functions of a regular mouse, only the difference in its mode of operation because it is operated by foot.

Audio recording: Considering the requirements of the disabled students’ books in the Bengali Language library is taking care to convert the books into audio form. The work of voice recording has been done by the current students and well-wishers of Visva-Bharati or others willing to do the job voluntarily.

Another unit of the Braille Library is functional at the Vinaya Bhavana Library.

Special Toilets

Special Toilets

Special Toilets (Gents & Ladies): Annex Building at Periodical Section

Accessible Signage

Accessible Signage

Accessible Signage: Braille is also required on signage that helps to identify various sections, facilities, and directions, especially for emergency doors and exits.

Ramps

Ramps

Ramps: It is a sloping surface that connects two levels of height. Ramps are built at the entrance of the main building and both sides of the annex building so that physically challenged users can easily enter the library by wheelchair (Visva-Bharati, 2019).

Wheelchair

Wheelchair

Wheelchair: Libraries are required to be accessible to wheelchair users, providing barrier-free access, including automatic doors, wide aisles, and reachable shelves.