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Listening between the lines
A talking library for blind university students needs more support
By Renu Warnasuriya
One of only two universities in the country to accept blind students, the Colombo University in 2001, took in 12, a big leap forward from the earlier ones and twos. While the authorities do their best to provide the necessary facilities there are still many gaps to be filled.

One of the biggest problems the blind students faced was the lack of reference material. While the University’s five-storey library has a comprehensive collection of books, it does not have even a single book written in Braille nor any recorded books.

The situation is much the same in all other public libraries. “ There are some libraries which have a few Braille books, but most often they are not the books we need,” says Manoj Fernando, a third-year student. Now however, the students are jubilant. They have acquired a separate room and set up a talking library which stocks tape recordings of books, which they can listen to and then make their notes from.

While the University contributed the cassette recorder, the students themselves collected enough money to buy the cassettes. Then they had to rely on friends and batchmates to read out the lengthy books and make recordings. Background sounds like the barking of dogs and chattering of passers-by are heard, but this to them is a minor hindrance.

So far the students have put together some 20 books. “Initially we were able to collect enough money to buy some tapes, but now the library is at a standstill because a tape costs about Rs. 100 and we really can’t keep raising funds,” says Manoj.

The Rotary Club of Colombo Central together with the Sri Lanka- Japan Friendship Society, donated three computers to their library, but this has not proved as useful as they had hoped. “As much as we appreciate the computers, we really cannot use them without the talking software, which reads out everything on the screen, “ says third-year student, Rasika de Silva. At present, only one of these computers has the necessary software.

The lack of such software means the blind students cannot use the University’s computer centre. The School of Computing of the University of Colombo, is now looking to remedy this in collaboration with the Peradeniya University with additional help from Japan. “ They will be providing us with the equipment, expertise and funds for talking software,” says Senior Student Counsellor W.N.Wilson, adding that they hope to get the project underway in a month or so.

The students have so far done their assignments relying on their lecture notes, which they either record or write down using a slate. “It’s very difficult to write down notes because they’re read very fast,” says Rasika explaining that those who can afford it record the lecture, while others get the help of their friends who read them the notes later, so they can copy them down at their own pace. Most do not have recorders or can’t afford the tapes.

They all agree that their batchmates and the other students are extremely helpful. “Without them we would take around four years just to make it to the second year,” smiles Janaka Deshapriya, a second-year student.

The talking library the students feel, will benefit not only their batch but many more blind students to come. “We will pass out soon, but we really want to keep this library going for all the students in the future,” says Rasika. “ We know Braille books are too expensive for the campus to afford, that’s why we want to further the talking library which would be far more feasible,” adds Manoj.

It is this determined, ‘help yourself’ attitude that has brought them thus far in life. “Some people ask me what I can do even if I get a degree,” says Janaka. Having done exceptionally well in his first year, Janaka qualified for a ‘Bachelor of Education’ at the Faculty of Education. The only blind student at his school in Baddegama, Janaka hopes to improve his English and obtain a L.L.B degree.

Though they do at times need assistance with their daily tasks, the students for the most part manage well on their own. Many are from far off areas and thus need hostel facilities. Here they are given priority. “ We make sure they get ground floor rooms so that they can move about easily,” says Mr. Wilson.

The Alumni Organisation together with the ‘Sarasavi Mithuro’ Association, that had been giving a few students Rs. 250 monthly for their personal expenses, now extends this to all the blind students.

Despite the constraints, the blind students are upbeat. “A friend of mine recently passed out with a first class in history,” says Manoj who is currently completing his special degree in Political Science.

He added that most students are fully involved in the various events organised by the university. Singing seems to be a favourite pastime. “My brother and I have come up with our very own musical show, which we have performed at various universities,” grins third-year student Saman Wickramasinghe. “We do everything everyone else does at campus.”

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