-08-2008, The CPIO, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
30-9-2009, from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Questions:
Answers:
Please supply me the following information pertaining to development of computer software for mentally challenged persons:-
 
1. The amount of money specifically budgeted, if any, towards development of software for mentally challenged persons (for example persons with cerebral palsy, dyslexia, autism, slow learners etc.) during the current 5 year Plan and the previous 5 year Plan. Kindly provide full details of the budget allocations made on the basis of the plan allocations, and provide me access (including by inspection) to all the relevant documents.

 2. The actual utilization and/or disbursement of the budgeted and unbudgeted funds, if any, for the purpose stated above. Please afford me inspection of the relevant documents.

  3. Name/names and full particulars of the of software package(s) developed for mentally challenged persons, either by Central Government agencies or by outside agencies with Central Government funding or assistance(full or partial).

  4. What is the Intellectual Property and License status of the software packages mentioned above. Provide me the particulars of the developers, the variants of Indian Languages provided for in the software, the number of copies disseminated, and mode(s) of dissemination.  If these packages have been sold, kindly provide me full details about the purchasers and, the price at which they were sold to them.  Please also specify if the licensing agreements with the purchasers/ beneficiaries are at variance with the general policy on intellectual property/ licensing, requested for herein above.

  5. Whether any feedback was obtained from the users and experts on the software mentioned above, during development  process or after its dissemination. If yes, the details thereof. I request for inspection/ copies of the feedback so received.

  6. Whether  there are schemes for free distribution, or distribution at nominal costs, or beta testing programs for these software. If yes, details thereof.

  7. List of end users of these software with complete addresses

 


As far as DD.III Section of this Ministry is concerned there is no scheme specifically meant for development of software for mentally challenged persons. However, if any, such proposal is received, this is considered under the funds provided for Scheme of Science & Technology in Mission Mode in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. There is no separate allocation of budget for development of software for mentally challenged persons.




 21-10-2008, CPIO, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 20-11-2008, No.32-79/2008-DD.III, from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Please supply me the following information for mentally challenged persons:

1. Details of proposals pertaining to development of computer software funded under the Scheme of Science & Technology in Mission mode in Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

2. Project details for funds given under this scheme specifically for development of special software packages for disable, i.e., people suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, slow learners and other mental disabilities.

3. Project details for special hardware equipments custom designed for operating these software for the disabled, i.e., people suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, slow learners and other mental disabilities.

4. Details of what special hardware were custom designed and are presently in use. Who are the present users of the custom designed hardware and special software? What is the feedback of the users on the hardware?

I am directed to refer to your letter dated 21.10.2008 received in this section on 27.10.2008 on the above mentioned subject and to say that information in respect of Disability Division-III Section are as under:-

The following proposals for development of computer software have been approved under the Scheme of Science and Technology in Mission Mode of the Ministry:-

(i) 'Development of a Multimedia hardware-software system for the education of students with cerebral palsy and communication' was sanctioned to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur and Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, (IICP), Kolkata under the scheme of Science & Technology Project in Mission Mode. An amount of Rs. 17.90 lakhs was sanctioned for this project. (Rs. 14.95 lakhs _ IICP Kolkata Rs. 2.95 lakhs).

(ii) 'Functional academics through computer technology for children with mental retardation' was sanctioned to National Institute of Mentally Handicapped, Secundrabad. An amount of Rs. 7.43 lakhs was sanctioned for this project.

(iii) RAVI- Reading Aid Software for Visually Impaired' was sanctioned to International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. An amount of Rs. 24.40 lakhs was sanctioned for this project.

(iv) 'Information Technology based Education and training for people affected with Autism' was sanctioned to Webel Mediatronics Limited, Kolkata. An amount of Rs. 7.60 lakhs was sanctioned for this project,

(v) 'Microcontroller based graphical/sound based daily scheduler and alarm for children with Autism' was sanctioned to Netica Solutions P. L:td., Noida. An amount of Rs. 5.00 lakhs was sanctioned for this project.

No such details are presently available.