Punarbhava is a Pali word for “renewed becoming”. It refers to the process of rebirth after death and is synonymous with samsara. Rebirth in Buddhism does not mean reincarnation, in the sense of an eternal, separate soul transferring to a new body. Rather it is the continuation of the psyche with its conditioning and habits. Each rebirth is a new life.

Punarbhava is an excellent example of the efficient use of ICT and the web medium for the betterment of the differently-abled. The aim of Punarbhava is to create and run a comprehensive Internet Portal, which collects specialized information and useful services for all the people involved in the disability issue as an information database, sources of daily updated news and media for the development of the disability and rehabilitation sector in India. – added Pratap T. P., Chief Marketing Officer, iridium Interactive.

There will be an array of resources like films documentaries, list of publications and institutions for users to download a repository of books in text, audio and multimedia mode. Not only that in schools where computer based printing system is available the text in language script or Braille script can be printed locally. Users could also access a complete database on NGOs working in the field of disability in India and network with sponsors for financing projects for the welfare of the disabled” – added Manish Kumar, Practice Head, iridium Interactive.

The user can view and even download all government orders, laws, circulars related to disability and disability certificate form. Not just this, the disabled-friendly texts in audio, video and multimedia mode will be cataloged and stored in web format for easy download.Besides, a dedicated section will be available for information on professional personnel and students being trained as specialists to deal with disability related issues. Currently there are 30000 such professionals in the country and an estimated 5,000 persons register themselves for fresh training every year. A closed user group would be launched to unite them and other stakeholders. iridium Interactive has been actively involved in ensuring web accessibility and inclusion of the differently abled – and this was the main reason for leading organisations like Media Lab Asia & Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) to have selected iridium Interactive for this important assignment. It is a chance through the power of the Internet to unite on a global scale and influence matters in local, regional and international attitudes and thinking” – said Sriram Bharatam, CEO, iridium Interactive.

Media Lab Asia (MLAsia), a not-for-profit R&D organization, works on the paradigm of collaborative research in the task of developing relevant and sustainable technologies and culturally appropriate solutions and bringing them to the daily lives of people. The objective of the organization is to bring the benefits of ICT to the common man.

ObjectiveThe aim of the Punarbhava (literally meaning ‘renewed being’) project was to build a comprehensive Internet portal which would function as a gateway to specialized information for people with disabilities, and all entities involved in this sector. MLAsia was looking to create a one-stop information service in cyber space to find information, discuss issues, network, find employment, look for assistive devices, seek redressal of grievances, undergo training and much more. The challenge was to keep the design simple and the site easily accessible by the audience it was intended for – the differently-abled. In this endeavor, MLAsia chose Iridium Interactive (ii), already established as a crusader of the cause of web accessibility.

Solution proposed iridium Interactive built a comprehensive website (www.punarbhava.in) rich in information on the disability sector in India. The website was designed to function as an information database, sourcing relevant news on a daily basis, and listing the assistive devices available for the disability and rehabilitation sector. Careful attention was paid to make sure that the website was easily accessible by the disabled. Towards this end, the site has been designed for 1024*768 viewing to allow access by all screens. Hyperlinks are written with tags and cascading style sheets (CSS) are used for visual layout, while frames have been avoided. The color scheme has been selected to ensure that there is sufficient contrast between text, background and links, and the site uses only non-serif font types for readability. Page content has been structured for ease of navigation and takes into consideration the different technology visitors may use to access the site, for example, speech readers and screen magnifiers. The Punarbhava site features resources like films, documentaries and publications that deal with disability, and lists institutions in the sector (vocational training centers, etc). Users can access a complete database of NGOs working in this field in India and network with sponsors to finance projects for the welfare of the disabled. They can also download all government orders, laws, circulars related to disability and disability certificate forms. Additionally, the website features a section, “Connect”, which includes online chat, blog, discussion forum and newsletter, making the site interactive and participative.

ResultsThe website has proved to be a comprehensive warehouse of information on the disability sector in India. It provides useful and updated information, and also a platform to engage in dialectic and discussion on the disability sector. Feedback shows that users have found the website design friendly and easy to use. Through the efficient use of ICT and the web medium, Punarbhava ensures that the disabled can also use the resources of cyber space in an informative and interactive manner.

About ii
iridium Interactive Limited (ii) specializes in providing online business solutions. With a presence across three continents, it has been at the forefront in integrating strategy, design and technology to build unique and robust user-centric e-business solutions. At ii, a holistic approach is adopted towards complex business problems to arrive at a complete solution. ii’s talented team has worked on a variety of disciplines for a multitude of clients drawn from various industries, and has a number of award-winning works to its credit. ii offers it services in the areas of interactive marketing, web marketing, e-learning, enterprise consulting and web accessibility initiatives.