In a joint statement, Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK) and BarrierBreak Technologies today announced to bring to Bangalore Techshare - Europe’s biggest technology event to promote accessible technology for people with disabilities. Techshare India 2008, will be held in Bangalore on 29th August, 2008 on the premises of Mobilty India, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore.

In a first of it’s kind activity in South India, Techshare India 2008 will highlight the importance of implementing accessibility standards and complying to different accessibilities laws. In addition, Techshare India 2008 will also 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 Philip O’Keefe, Lead Social Protection Specialist, World Bank; Das Suryavanshi, Commissioner Disabilities – Karnataka; Shilpi Kapoor, Director, BarrierBreak Technologies; Shanti Raghavan, Founder and Managing Trustee, EnAble India; amongst others.

“Considering that India alone has 60 million disabled people, it is imperative that accessible technologies are made available to people with disabilities and it is the endeavor of Techshare to create an environment and ecosystem that supports this need” said Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Managing Director, BarrierBreak Technologies, Mumbai. “Techshare 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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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

Techshare Bangalore 2008
29th August, 2008

MOBILITY INDIA
1st & 1st ‘A’ Cross
J.P. Nagar 2nd Phase
Bangalore - 560 078.

What is Techshare India?

The intent of Techshare India 2008 is to break these barriers and include people with disabilities into main stream society.

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