24-hour tele-info service for disabled soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The disabled community in the state can soon avail of a smart and swift access to information on career and physical handicaps. For the first time in the state, a disability information line will be set up at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Akkulam. The round-the-clock system will mainly provide information on various disabilities and also about government schemes and offers meant for the disabled. The information line works on an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) with the help of the toll-free number 1800-4253233. The caller will be greeted by an automated menu and will be guided through various menus upon pressing the required numbers. Each menu will be loaded with various kinds of information on diagnosis, treatment, counselling, education, employment, government schemes and facilities related to disabilities. The menu will be available in three languages viz English, Hindi and Malayalam. In addition to the automated facility, a manually operated service is also available in the system. A caller can directly talk to a trained person on matters related to disability. The manual service will be functional only during office hours, from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. The system is being launched at NISH under the directive of the Union Government. ‘’Once fully operational, the system will be highly useful. Usually the diagnosis and rehabilitation of the disabled get delayed owing to unawareness. Similarly, they are ignorant about various schemes and offers meant for them. With this information line, they can get all the required information via their phones. The system is mainly aimed at creating awareness and ensuring resource connection,’’ said NISH director Samuel Mathew.  Currently, the disability information line is available in other states such as Delhi and Maharashtra. The system will be officially launched in the state, most probably by the middle of July. ‘’All the initial processes have been completed. We are now in the final phases of implementation like loading the software and the system will be ready, hopefully by July,’’ said Arunkumar.N S, support specialist, Disability Information Line.