Dog guides as friends for the visually challenged
Throughout history, dogs have stood by humans as hunters, herders, guardians, and loyal companions. But perhaps one of their most noble and transformative roles is that of the guide dog—a…
Braille: Just six elevated dots, to see the unseen
Index Home Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809. When he was three, he accidentally injured one of his eyes. Over next two years, injured eye got infected, and let…
Mouth and foot painting: A special ability in postage stamps
Index Home When hands and arms fail, but determination reins supreme, we come across some special abilities. Mouth and foot painting is one such special ability, that is leaves us awestruck.…
A familiar orthoses from the past: Leather and metal polio-brace
Index Home Orthoses are external supports attached to a limb or a body part. Today such devices are made of lighter materials, and are used to support knee, ankle, elbow or…
How to hear, and listen for the unsaid
Index Home In 2007, World Health Organization established 3rd March as World Hearing Day. Apparently, we chose the date, as it is written as 3-3, and symbolizes two ears. The day…
Empowering people with a disability
Index Home Valentin Hauy (1745-1822), a linguist and an interpreter in the Royal court, established world's first school for the blind, in Paris. This was in 1785, when families either kept…
Coming out of the disability closet
Index Home It took global community, more than thirty-five years just to come out of their disability closet. Thirty-five years is a gross understatement, as we shift our start-line to 1945,…
A mirror of the past and our wall of shame
Index Home Postage stamps are a mirror of our past. Often, less than a square inch of space, sums up prevalent societal, political, and behavioural norms. Our past perceptions, as well…