Chittagong, March 10 (BDNEWS) - They are visually impaired, but they have the strength of mind. With indomitable determination and auditory power now they are operating computer in their workplace in Chittagong.

Young Power in Social Action (IPSA) is conducting the computer literacy programme and with this end in view they have already set up IPSA ICT & Resource Centre for the Disabled (IRCD).

The sightless people are successfully using computer to read newspaper, writing and listening. Moreover they can communicate through e-mail and chatting.

The computer literacy programme was launched in December 2005 with six visually impaired persons. The ongoing five-month course deals with basic computing, Internet browsing, Daisy, leadership and spoken English. The second batch will consist of 15 disabled persons.

Programme coordinator Bhaskar Bhattacharya told BDNEWS that they are using the screen reading software for the sightless persons.

Stressing the urgency of the Bangla version of the software, he said all quality books have digital editions and thus the sightless can acquire knowledge from computer.

Mokhlesur Rahman, teacher of Muradpur Government Blind School, is taking part in the programme and expressed his desire of introducing the course in his school. He hopes some day he might compose music in computer.

Selina Akhter, a Chittagong University student, said this computer literacy programme would help her in the competitive job market.

IPSA is providing the computer literacy free of cost, but gets the technological support from the Japan-based institute 'Daisy for All.'

The IPSA authority emphasised the need for supplying computers among the trained disabled persons.