Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK) and BarrierBreak Technologies today announced that they have partnered to bring to India Techshare, Europe’s biggest technology event to promote accessible technology for people with disabilities. In a joint statement released, they announced that Techshare India 2008 will be held in New Delhi on 4th and 5th February, 2008 at the India Habitat Centre.

In a first of it’s kind activity in India, Techshare India 2008 will highlight the importance of implementing accessibility standards and complying to different accessibilities law. In addition, Techshare India 2008 will also exhibit and showcase IT products and services that will allow visitors to browse through the latest in assistive technologies available. It will showcase the role of technology in the lives of people with disabilities, looking not just at web accessibility but also software accessibility, and accessibility on the move for mobiles and PDAs. One of the highlights of the event will be an experiential lab where every one can first hand feel what it is to have a disability.

Some of the key speakers at the conference will be Shadi Abou–Zahra from the World Wide Web Consortium, David Baquis, Accessibility Specialist, US Access Board; Omprakash Subarrao, Director Consulting Practices, Yahoo! India; Kenny Johar, Research, Architecture and Solutions Lead – Vision Australia; Lisa D. Friendly, Director, BookShare.org among others.

“Technology has revolutionized the way we live and work. Unfortunately, very little attention is paid towards making it accessible to all – especially people with disabilities?”, said Ms. Shilpi Kedia, Managing Director, BarrierBreak Technologies, Mumbai. “Techshare India 2008 will offer workshops and presentations on accessibility and draw upon the wisdom of people who have tremendous experience in the field,” she added.

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Techshare India 2008

4th and 5th February, 2008
Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.

What is Techshare India?

600 million people with disability in the world. India alone has 60 million disabled people. In addition, India has ratified the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities. Would you like to tap this market?

India has the Persons with Disabilities Act that focuses on equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation for people with disabilities. But we have not succeeded in main streaming people with disabilities into society. The answer lies in building and creating awareness about the needs and potential of the people with disabilities and not in the legal framework alone.

BarrierBreak Technologies is organizing a conference and exhibition that will bring together the entire ecosystem - the government, the corporates, the NGOs, the disabled, the product companies and the education providers for the first time under one roof. The conference will be a platform to share insights and learning’s.

Since 2000, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), UK, has been organizing Techshare. RNIB, UK and BarrierBreak Technologies now bring Techshare to India.

Techshare offers workshops and presentations. In addition, it provides an opportunity to meet with eminent professionals working in this area from all over the world as well as browse the exhibition space.

On display will be state-of-the-art experience lab showcasing assistive technology Exhibition with 25 plus stalls displaying assistive aids pan disability

About Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), UK:

RNIB is UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss. Their pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem – not just with braille and Talking Books, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. Their projects such as Talk and Support and Parent’s Place make a difference to people’s lives. They campaign extensively to eliminate avoidable sight loss and support research into the causes and latest treatments of eye disease.

About BarrierBreak Technologies:

BarrierBreak Technologies is an innovative firm that provides solutions in the field of Accessibility for People with Disabilities. BarrierBreak works with corporates, institutions and individuals to provide accessibility training, accessibility testing and accessibility consulting services that would empower people with disabilities to avoid discrimination and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

To know more about Techshare India 2008 – go to: www.barrierbreak.com

Editorial Contacts:

Lakshmi Kanchan (Ms.)
CREDOCOMM Corporate Communications
Mob: 9810244727
lakshmi.kanchan@credocomm.net

Pradyumna Tripathy
Mob: 9210245511
credocommdelhi@credocomm.net