OREANDA-NEWS. October 7, 2008. The ceremony of opening of a special reading room for the convenience of blind and visually impaired people took place in the National Library of Armenia. Services provided at this special disabled-friendly reading room can benefit over 5000 blind and visually impaired people all over Armenia; special software and computers installed in the Library have ability to recognize characters and convert text into speech thus giving opportunity to benefit from advanced technology. For the realization of the project, as a socially-responsible company, VivaCell-MTS provided AMD 1.102 million, thanks to which special software was created as well as computers and necessary accessory, were procured.

It is hard to imagine that nowadays in Armenia the blind cannot use all the opportunities of computer to communicate with others, type, even draw, write or download music and read, which is available for people with low or no vision in other countries.  There are a lot of libraries across Armenia but the books specially designed for the blind and visually impaired are old and outdated, while their modern analogues are on hand abroad. And to enable the library to cater to the blind and sight-impaired also, VivaCell-MTS supported in adaptation of “Arev” software to their needs (created by Yerevan Scientific Research Institute of Mathematical Machines). A person is typing (first, the blinds will be trained to the typing skills) or scanning the ready text and the computer technology converts almost all typewritten or typeset material into easily-understood speech.

“Reading and interacting with the outside world are the two major wishes of the blind. We hope that from now on they can have a real no-barrier reading experience in this special reading room,” said the General Manager of VivaCell-MTS Ralph Yirikian. 'It is vital that the society understands the importance of accessibility of reading for the blind people. They – our compatriots, should be given equal access to books for recreation and study. We are delighted to have supported with the creation of such a well-equipped reading room in Armenia thanks to which the blind and visually-impaired people will feel themselves closer to the society and enjoy the pleasure in reading”.

Now when “Arev” software is developed and the special-reading room is set up, special well-thought-out training program will be organized for the blind and visually-impaired people for them to learn how to use computer, scanner and printer and how to surf internet and communicate via e-mail in order to make them more independent in the quest for information.