As technology opens the way for employment of the visually challenged persons in the country, they are becoming one of many sources for manpower for the IT and ITES sectors, who are growing ever hungrier to bolster their work force.

However, despite the fact that more number of visually challenged persons are getting trained with the help of screen reader technology (which provides a voice output of contents on the computer monitor), the training given to them is largely limited to certain functional aspects such as working on word processors and spread sheets, while IT and ITES look for certain specific skills like adhering to Service Level Agreements, testing software etc.
"Absence of these skills in persons with visual challenge, notwithstanding the training imparted to them, would mean companies hiring them will have to train them afresh," points out Gaurav Arora of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Maitree Team, who are all set to introduce a comprehensive training programme for the visually challenged graduates to make them job-ready.

"This is because there is no interface between the training centres (who train the blind) and the industry requirements. So, with much brainstorming, we have come out with a training programme that exactly provides the skills expected in the industry."

Joining forces with Mumbai-based M N Banajee Industrial Home for the Blind, TCS has set up a full fledged infrastructure and is gearing up to start the pilot phase of their training - dubbed Advanced Enabling Training for the visually challenged-during late March. Though the pilot would be restricted to the visually challenged persons in Mumbai, Mr Arora says the next batch to be held in May will include those in other parts of the country as well.
The course will focus on four major aspects that are likely to enhance the employability of persons with visual challenge: soft skills, skill-sets required at the BPO sector (with a specific focus on building competency), building IT infrastructure and service management for larger organisations, and testing software in terms of their accessibility for people with special needs.

Modules for BPO training will be based on attributes and behavioural patterns and would specifically impart analytical skills, customer orientation and communication. There will also be a theoretical session on Global Help Desk. Topics covered in Infrastructure Services (IS) training would include Change Request Management in GHD's and system administration and operation systems and an overview of certain applications commonly used by IT companies. 

Any visually challenged person with graduation and acceptable levels of communication can enroll for the training, after an interview to ensure they meet the qualification. "This course is primarily to make the students employable," Mr Arora insists.

"Therefore, those trained will be qualified to be directly absorbed in the industry. We are in the process of getting accreditation for the programme and are committed to continuing it."

The course duration will be one month and it will be conducted thrice a year by members of TCS learning and training division. Besides trainees aiming to equip themselves for a job in IT and ITES sectors, the programme is also open for computer trainers from other centres in order to make it "sustainable in the long run."
M N Banajee Industrial Home for the Blind, who provide the space for the programme, will accommodate students and offer food at a moderate cost of Rs 300, when the programme opens to visually challenged trainees from across the country this May.

For further details, mail to: corporate.maitree@tcs.com