All over the world, people with disabilities are being seen for what they can do, not what they can't do. In India too, the revolution is beginning -- with Avaz, India's first communication aid for people with speech disabilities. This presentation discusses the impact that Avaz can make, and how you can be a part of it.

1. Introducing AVAZ the award-winning communication device that can give a voice to 2.5 million children with disabilities in India.

2. 2.5 million children in India have moderate to severe speech disabilities. These disabilities arise out of conditions like cerebral palsy, autism and mental retardation. Despite their intelligence, their inability to communicate prevents them from inclusion in education, employment and social life – which the rest of us take for granted. 2.5 million children in India live behind a wall of silence. A person with Cerebral Palsy

3. AVAZ is India’s first Augmentative and Alternative Communication device. It is wheelchair mounted, and converts body movements into speech. It was developed by Ajit Narayanan, an alumnus of IIT Madras, in collaboration with VidyaSagar (formerly the Spastics Society of India, Chennai).AVAZ was released in February 2010, and is being piloted in 12 special schools around India. It was awarded the National Award for Empowerment of People with Disabilities, 2010, by H.E. the President of India. AVAZ is an invention that provides them with a voice. AVAZ winning the Nat’l Award for Empowerment of people with disabilities, 2010

4. AVAZ works by converting imprecise muscle movements of children into messages. These messages are spoken out, thereby creating speech. AVAZ is dynamic – it does not limit the ability of the child to say anything he or she wants. AVAZ is designed to be a part of a child’s life. It is battery operated and wheelchair mountable. It can be used by children of different ages, from diverse backgrounds, and with different cognitive levels. AVAZ converts their muscle movements into speech. A person with Cerebral Palsy uses AVAZ to speak

5. “Communication is the right of every human being.The development of AVAZ has been a huge boon to people who are non-verbal in the country. We has been very lucky, because people like Invention Labs have come forward and worked with us to develop these aids.” RajulPadmanabhan, Director of VidyaSagar AVAZ is being used by 100 children in 12 special schools, in 8 different states of India. The number of schools is increasing every day. Children trained in AVAZ are able to communicate in social situations, classrooms, and workplaces. Leading special educators have recognized AVAZ’s potential RajulPadmanabhan, Director of VidyaSagar (formerly Spastics Society of India, Chennai)

6. With the right kind of support, AVAZ has the potential to change the lives of 25 lakh people in India. AVAZ will help special children join mainstream schoolsand write examinations independently. AVAZ enables a range of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. AVAZ gives confidence and courage to people with disabilities to overcome their odds. We need your help – to take AVAZ to more people who need it, to make it better and even more affordable, to train teachers and children in using it, and just to spread the word. We need your help to mainstream people with disabilities. Some organizations that use AVAZ

7. “Look at the person, not the wheelchair.” Timmy Swindale, “Maths genius” Autistic. Few people knew about his intelligence before he got an AAC device. Ellen Kaatz, Army nurse ALS. Non-verbal and wheelchair bound, but continues to make an impact to society. Beth Anne Luciani, College student Cerebral palsy. Studies at U.Penn., interacts with faculty and students with an AAC device. Sara Pyszka, Music composer Cerebral palsy. Has performed at baseball games and political events, though she cannot move or talk. In the US, AAC devices have helped these people, and others, define themselves with their abilities – not their disabilities.

8. In India also, the revolution has started. Bhavna Rao, 23, finished her 12th standard with 90% marks. She studies accountancy at Ethiraj College in Chennai, and when she graduates, she wants to be an internet entrepreneur.

9. All we need to do is to provide the right tools. Bhavna is wheelchair bound. She can neither talk nor move. All her life, she has communicated using nothing more than her eyes.

10. Daniel Webster: If all my possessions were taken from me – with one exception – I would choose to keep the power of communication, for by it, I would soon regain all the rest. The power of communication: AVAZ For more information, contact us at enable@inventionlabs.in or visit http://avaz.in