Now help just a click away for visually challenged and hearing impaired in Visakhapatnam

Police launch 'Disha-Divyang Suraksha' helplines for visually/hearing impaired in Visakhapatnam. 3 interpreters employed at Police Control Room. Commissioner A. Ravi Shankar expressed happiness to launch the initiative before International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Helplines 73373244466 (visually impaired) & 7337434422 (hearing impaired) to access criminal justice system. Police collaborated with Education Dept, schools & NGOs to make Vizag city safe. Interpreters to receive messages & action initiated within minutes. Awards for 'Best Hearing Impaired Policeman & Best Visually Impaired Policeman'. Police to collaborate with startups for innovative tech to help differently-abled.

The city police have launched ‘Disha – Divyang Sauraksha’, dedicated helpline numbers for visually challenged and hearing impaired persons here on Friday. The police have employed three interpreters at the police control room for this purpose.

The Disha Divyang Suraksha helplines 73373244466 (for Visually Impaired) and 7337434422 (for Hearing Impaired) were launched by YSRCP North Andhra Regional Coordinator Y.V. Subba Reddy and I.T. Minister Gudivada Amarnath along with Mayor G. Hari Venkata Kumari at a programme organised at YVS Murthy Auditorium here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Police Commissioner A. Ravi Shankar, who was the brain behind the helplines, expressed happiness to launch the initiative before International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. He said that he always wanted to take steps, which would help the visually impaired and hearing impaired people to access the criminal justice system, just like any other citizens.

He said that visually challenged and hearing impaired people were also being subjected to a lot of crimes including POCSO and suspicious deaths. Some of them were losing lives while crossing roads after being hit by vehicles, he said.

In the process of bringing a helpline, the police have conducted a series of meetings with the Education Department, schools and NGOs, who have given their valuable ideas, which led to the initiative taking shape. He said that the Disability Welfare department has given three sign language interpreters to the Police Control Room. The message shared by the visually challenged and hearing impaired people would be received and action initiated within minutes, he said.

“Whether it may be a fight between some people, traffic problem, road accident, harassment, eve-teasing or any issue, you can reach the police through these helplines. You will be partners of the police to make Vizag city safe. The best amongst you will be awarded with ‘Best Hearing Impaired Policeman and Best Visually Challenged Policeman’,” the Police Commissioner told a large gathering of visually/hearing impaired people, including students from various schools.