IBM is India's Employer of the Year 2008 for Empowering Disabled People

* IBM India has won the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities as Employer for the year 2008, conferred by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

* IBM India is recognised for "its significant contribution towards bringing persons with disabilities into the mainstream by removing barriers and providing gainful employment to create a truly inclusive world community"

* "The IBM India Human Ability and Accessibility Centre strives to makes technology and information easily accessible to over 60 million Indians who are differently-abled and closely collaborates with key government bodies concerning accessibility-related policy and standards in India. Through the use of innovative solutions like IBM Easy Web Browsing, IBMWebAdapt2Me, Hindi Speech recognition, an English assessment tool called Sensei, IBM aDesigner etc, this advanced center catalyzes human capability so that everyone can maximize their potential, regardless of ability or disability."

* IBM has also so far developed the first Braille printer, a talking typewriter, a talking display terminal, and IBM Home Page Reader.

Source: Business Standard - http://www.businessstandard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=343726

Qualcomm contributes to Social and Educational Initiatives

Qualcomm works with the NGOs - Save The Children India in Mumbai, MV Foundation (MVF) in Hyderabad and Sikshana Foundation in Bengaluru - to support social and educational initiatives in India.

Of these, Save The Children India Foundation includes "more than 250 children who are either mentally challenged or hearing and speech impaired study at their Special Care Center."

http://press-releases.techwhack.com/31851-qualcomm-contributes-social-educational-initiatives-india-local-nongovernmental-organizations&cid=1292796745&ei=UcNuSc6GF5DKlQS-laXPDQ&usg=AFQjCNFMe6TYCLtSQCXX32uMwHWIoMpMlQ

In theatres - 'Ghajini' and 'Chandni Chowk To China' with subtitles!

Amir Khan's 'Ghajini' and Akshay Kumar's 'Chandni Chowk To China' are to be screened with English subtitles, to accomodate the hearing impaired - an initiative by Reliance's Big Cinemas.

From:
http://www.indiantelevision.com/aac/y2k8/aac789.php
http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2008/ghajini-subtitle-271208.html
http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14825827&cid=2359

Special post paid scheme by BSNL for hearing impaired

BSNL is said to be offering limited time special mobile post paid scheme for hearing impaired - monthly rent of Rs 50, and 2,000 free SMS per month

Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mangalore/New_provident_fund_commissioner_for_Udupi/articleshow/3953451.cms
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan12009/scroll20090101109947.asp?section=updatenews