1. Tech Enable
Breaking the Barriers of
Disabilities By Shilpi Kapoor
Evangelist and Director
BarrierBreak Technologies
Redefining Disability

2. About BarrierBreak
When no one else believed in the idea of technology
as an enabler for persons with disabilities,
BarrierBreak believed!
• Pioneers in Accessibility in India
• 75% of our staff is people with disabilities
• Work beyond solutions on Policy Building also
Redefining Disability

3. Disability Statistics
More than 1 billion people in the World and
Estimated 70 million in India
• 1 in 4 have a visual difficulty or impairment
• 1 in 4 have a dexterity difficulty or impairment
• 1 in 5 have a hearing difficulty or impairment
• 1 in 7 have a cognitive difficulty or impairment
and many more….
Research Study Commissioned by Microsoft & Conducted by Forester “The Wide Range of Abilities and Its Impact on
Computer Technology”
Redefining Disability

4. Question?
• Can you ignore technology today?
• Is Technology in most aspect of your life?
• Can persons with disabilities use the same
technology as you and me?
Redefining Disability

5. Technology is Everywhere…
Image by TheWayfarer
Redefining Disability

6. Lets Think Beyond Ramps!
• Website
• Software
• Mobiles
• Kiosk
• Electronics
• Games
• And many more…..
Redefining Disability

7. How can we Tech Enable?
Assistive Technology
Inclusive Technology Support Services
Empowering People with Disabilities to be
independent
Redefining Disability

8. The Big Picture
Deaf people find it difficult to:
• Participate in society
• Get education
• Gain employment
• Be contributing members of society!
Redefining Disability

9. The Solution - SignNTalk
Bridging the Communication barriers by
connecting the urban deaf who are looking for
employment and/or
independent living to the hearing world
by providing Sign Language Interpreters
Online!
Redefining Disability

10. The Solution - SignNTalk
• Connects the deaf to the
hearing world
• Provides Indian Sign
Language
• Only requirement is a
webcam & a computer
with internet connection
Redefining Disability

11. How does SignNTalk Work?
Redefining Disability

12. Factors Moving Ahead
• Success Factors • Risks
– Deaf people adapting to – Lack of Sign Language
using sign language online Interpreters – Working
– Cheaper and Faster with Association for Sign
Internet Access Language Interpreters
– Laws on Discrimination & – Law does not enforce
Equal Opportunity need of sign language
support – Lobbying for
the New Law being
drafted
– Mobile Technology –
Adapting to include
mobile access
Redefining Disability

13. Let Technology be Inclusive!
Redefining Disability

14. Where to Contact Me?
email: shilpi@barrierbreak.com
mobile: +91-98199 85266
office: +91-22-2686 0485/6
Connect with me at:
Shilpi_Kapoor
Redefining Disability