
The Kerala State IT Mission as part of their initiative to to bring the benefits of ICT to the differently abled through its INSIGHT project conducted a seminar on the topic “Empowering the Differently Abled” on 13th January 2010 at Malabar Hall, Technopark. Shri Mervin Alexander, CEO, Technopark delivered the welcome speech. Dr. Rathan Kelkar IAS, Director, KSITM, in his introductory remarks, enlightened the audience about the activities done by Kerala IT Mission to empower the differently abled. He also added that efforts would be made through INSIGHT to assist the companies in identifying the right candidates and giving them job-related training.
This was followed by a presentation by INSIGHT detailing the activities done for empowering and employing the differently abled. The highlight of the presentation was demonstrations by two visually challenged students. A talk by Dr. Arun Mehta, Chairman, Department of CE, JMIT, on “Employing Differently abled” followed. He said he was amazed by the ideas that were being conceived and implemented in Kerala and insisted that it would be wonderful if Kerala could set a role model in the field of empowering the differently abled as well.
Mr Mathew Jacob of Nest Technologies suggested that the companies should change their mindset regarding employing a differently abled person. The experience that he has had from employing differently abled in company makes him a strong votary of this cause, he added. Shri. Satish Babu, CEO, Inapp Technologies proposed a vote of thanks.