SoundVision is a Digital Talking Book (DTB) for the blind and visually impaired. Developed in conjunction with the One Rupee Trust, National Association for the Blind, IIT Delhi, KritiKal Solutions and Quicksand Design Studio, SoundVision seeks to provide a platform for the education of the blind within institutions and home / mobility contexts. The key technology used is the Daisy format that creates audio files from narrated text that can be annotated and bookmarked by the device.

Universal access to resources is a far cry in our country. Design for people with disabilities assumes a critical importance that is unfortunately faced with a dismal reality. This project seeks to aid in the development of a lower-cost and accessible alternative to education technology for the visually impaired. By working with doners, local technology developers, local design expertise and local vendors, the product seeks to be a part of everyday classrooms for the blind, homes and institutions.

Design projects within institutions insulate students from a host of contexts by the obvious constraints of a simulated situation. Working with a higher volume of ‘reality’ is often more daunting and inspiring than what one experiences within the curriculum. It also puts forth a deeper sense of the idea of constraints and how they define situations and deliverables. Being part of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary studio has given me much latitude in the way in which one can choose to experience and counter design contexts, processes and expectations.