Sindh develops smart scanner stick for visually impaired

For the first time in Sindh, a smart scanner stick has been developed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings.

The province currently has over six million special children and people with mental or physical disabilities, many of whom will benefit from new assistive medical technologies being developed locally.

The scanner stick, equipped with advanced sensors, is designed to guide the visually impaired safely.

In addition, a range of specialized medical and assistive devices are being created to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities, paralysis, autism, and other cognitive challenges. These innovations are being developed by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NED University.

A formal agreement has been signed between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Sindh, and NED University, under which the project will be launched as a pilot initiative this month.

In the first phase, the department will distribute the scanner sticks free of cost to visually impaired citizens.

Secretary of Empowerment, Taha Ahmed Farooqui, told The Express Tribune that Sindh has produced its first locally made scanner stick for the visually impaired.

He added that the provincial government is also working on several high-tech devices to empower individuals with mental and physical disabilities, including children with autism.