Our Vaani, an audio platform for persons with disabilities, launched in Dimapur to bridge the digital divide.
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DIMAPUR — An accessible audio-based platform named "Our Vaani", which enables persons with disabilities (PwDs) and communities to access information on education, skilling, employment, and government schemes through a phone call without internet connectivity, was introduced to persons with disabilities in Dimapur on Wednesday.
EnAble India, in collaboration with the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Nagaland State Disability Forum, and Prodigals Home, launched the social networking platform at the Don Bosco Institute for Development and Leadership Conference Hall in Dimapur.
Introducing "Our Vaani" in the state, Nandini Kavita from EnAble India said the organisation has been working for 26 years for persons with disabilities to lead a dignified life and works for 21 kinds of disabilities with various solutions.
Kavita, who is also a person with disability, said with "Our Vaani", no one needs to stay at home, and everyone can use assistive devices and solutions to work. She encouraged companies to provide jobs for persons with disabilities.
"We have already 400 plus job roles. EnAble India has more than 60% of persons with disabilities who work and support their families," she asserted.
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She explained that "Our Vaani" is a moderated social networking platform in English designed for persons with disabilities. Users can access it via any phone without needing internet connectivity, build social circles, and share information on jobs, self-employment, skilling, government schemes, and assistive aids.
The English version launched in November, with Nagaland being the third state to receive it. It is also available in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Bangla. To access "Our Vaani", one can dial 7669074637 for the English language.
Dimapur district EAC Imtijungla Lemtur said the launch of "Our Vaani" strengthens a voice that is often unheard. She stated it is about accessibility, inclusiveness, and dignity rather than charity. Disability, she remarked, is not about ability but about increasing accessibility, and this platform is doing its part.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities policy focuses on protecting rights and being proactive about inclusivity and dignity. Initiatives like "Our Vaani" put this into practice, making a real difference on the ground, she believed, and commended the organisers for bringing innovative solutions to Nagaland.
She highlighted that collaboration with expert institutions is key to better governance, bringing in new and creative interventions. This matters, especially with the digital divide in places like Nagaland, where internet access is limited, making initiatives like "Our Vaani" relevant.
She urged the PwD community to use "Our Vaani" and share feedback. The offline access of the platform is a significant advantage given connectivity issues in Nagaland. Lemtur noted that awareness from both the government and the community is key to improvement.
Nagaland State Disability Forum President V Fatima Kera said talk about accessibility for persons with disabilities often does not translate to action. She expressed the need to understand and address physical environment challenges.
She challenged people to move away from sympathy and focus on positive inclusion. She felt it is about having the right attitude, as removing physical barriers is not enough without changing mindsets.
The main aim of the forum, she asserted, is disability inclusion, advocating for rights, fostering community participation, and working with the government and civil society to make Nagaland more accessible and equitable.
Representative from the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ashe H Kiba, highlighting the functioning of the office, lamented that despite having an office to fight for PwD rights, people often do not put words into action.
She urged people to come forward and fight for rights, remarking that the disclosure of identity can help. "Until we speak for our rights, nobody will work for us or speak out for us," she said.