E-learning and accessibility: A web application for Indian language transliteration into Braille

Area of Science:

• Assistive Technology
• Educational Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The rapid evolution of online education necessitates accessible digital content for all learners.
• Students with visual disabilities face significant barriers in accessing web-based educational resources.
• Existing digital platforms often lack integrated accessibility features, hindering inclusive learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a web application for transliterating Indian languages into Braille scripts.
• To enhance the accessibility of online educational content for individuals with visual disabilities and low vision.
• To support special educators in providing accessible learning materials.

Main Methods:

• Development of a web application with text and voice-based input functionalities.
• Integration of multilingual voice input, shortcut keys, and low vision support.
• Review of existing Braille transliteration tools and user testing for accessibility features.

Main Results:

• The application successfully transliterates Indian languages (Bengali, Odia, Hindi, English, Telugu) into Braille.
• Interactive accessibility features were integrated, enhancing user experience for visually impaired individuals.
• Initial cross-browser compatibility tests and user evaluations demonstrated positive preliminary results.

Conclusions:

• The developed web application promotes inclusivity in online education by providing Braille access to Indian language content.
• The tool empowers visually impaired students and assists special educators in delivering accessible resources.
• Further development and testing are recommended to optimize the application's reach and effectiveness.