IIIT-H project offers free Braille and audiobook resources for visually challenged learners

A new digital platform developed at IIIT Hyderabad is set to transform access to higher-education textbooks for visually challenged students, who often face missing Braille editions, low-quality audio materials, or costly software.

The initiative, named Drishti Library, converts textbooks into Braille and audiobook formats using artificial intelligence and language technologies.

Developed by researcher Krishna Tulsiyan under the guidance of Professors C V Jawahar and Gurpreet Singh Lehal, the project is part of the Government of India’s Bhashini mission, which aims to build AI-based language tools for Indian languages.

The platform was recently showcased at a symposium on Language AI for Accessibility and currently focuses on Punjabi-language textbooks, with plans to expand to additional languages and academic subjects.

“Our objective is to create a library exclusively for visually challenged learners and eventually cover all Indian languages,” Prof Lehal said.

He added that existing audiobook libraries mainly cater to general reading. “This is the first initiative focused purely on academic content,” he said.

Drishti Library uses optical character recognition systems developed through a national consortium to scan textbooks and convert them into accessible formats.

The files are then transformed into Braille-ready documents with proper formatting or audiobooks using Indian-language text-to-speech tools.

Audiobooks are delivered via a reader application created at IIIT-H, which allows users to adjust playback speed, navigate content using audio cues, and interact with an interface designed specifically for visually challenged students.

Users have actively contributed to refining the platform. Blind schools, federations, and visually challenged students test the software and provide feedback.

“They understand the challenges better than anyone. We provide the technology, and they guide us on how to improve it,” Prof Lehal said.

A major advantage of Drishti Library is that it eliminates the need for costly commercial Braille translation software. The tools will be freely available to blind schools and institutions, lowering barriers to accessible education.

Challenges remain, including varying text-to-speech quality across Indian languages and adapting digital interfaces for visually challenged users.

The platform’s scope is also expanding. At the launch event, students requested materials for competitive exams such as UPSC, prompting the team to consider including these resources.

Designed as an open platform, Drishti Library will allow volunteers, NGOs, and educational institutions to contribute content. “If we want this to scale, it has to be a shared effort,” Prof Jawahar said.

As part of the Bhashini mission, Drishti Library represents a significant step toward making higher education more accessible, using language technology to help visually challenged students learn on equal terms.