New Delhi: Dr Virendra Kumar, Hon. Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, today launched a groundbreaking innovation, Canary – an Indoor Navigation Application at the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), New Delhi in the august presence of BL Verma, Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DePwD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Developed by
CURE India in collaboration with Maitreyi College (University of Delhi), this initiative marks a significant achievement in making PDUNIPPD the first fully accessible national institute in India for indoor navigation. The Canary Indoor Navigation Application, an idea formulated by Dr. Mathew Varghese is an innovative solution designed to enhance the mobility and independence of individuals, particularly those with visual impairments and the elderly. By providing clear and accessible navigation within indoor spaces through NFC & Bluetooth LE Beacons, Canary helps users navigate complex environments confidently. This application addresses a critical gap in accessibility technology, leveraging cutting-edge features to ensure inclusivity.
The project was developed with the enthusiastic participation of seven talented students from the Department of Computer Science, Maitreyi College, who were trained, led, and guided by Andrews at CURE India and Dr Smriti Singh, Maitreyi College who served as the Accessibility Consultant who herself is completely visually challenged. Their dedication and innovation underscore the power of student-led projects in creating impactful solutions for societal challenges.
Speaking at the launch in the presence of Maitreyi College's Principal Dr Haritma Chopra, Dr Pramod, Enabling Unit & Dr Santhosh G, Director CURE India; Dr Virendra Kumar lauded this innovative effort, stating, “The development of Canary represents a significant step forward in our commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. It is an exemplary demonstration of how technology and collaboration can drive social change and foster greater accessibility for all.”
