Technology is a catalyst that will help the visually impaired, the Kenya Society for the Blind executive director Samson Waweru has said.
Waweru said through technology, visually impaired persons will not only have to access information and services, but also to modern-day opportunities.
He spoke in Mandera during the closure of a 10-day digital training programme aimed at equipping visually impaired persons with knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in the interconnected, technology-driven world.
The programme is implemented by the Kenya Society for the Blind in collaboration with the UK government and the Kenya ICT Action Network.
“For a person who is blind, technology is the only bridge that can cure gaps of life and enable us access employment opportunities, become better in our profession and that’s why the UK government and KICTANet have partnered with us so that we are able to carry out this training and equip persons with visually impairment in Mandera with some basic skills in technology,” Waweru said.
At least 100 visually impaired persons benefited from the training, which was also to enable them to use computers and smartphones independently, in order to navigate and participate effectively in the growing digital world.
In addition to the training, they will provide computers with assistive devices at the Mandera Library.
“We are also going to bring 40 computers here with 10 of them installed with assistive software for the blind so that these persons can come to the library and they will have a section where they will be able to access information and opportunities,” he added.
The visually impaired will also be able to access books through a digitisation process, to enable them to grow their knowledge.
This is aimed at promoting critical thinking, problem solving and ethical decision-making abilities to enable effective and responsible use of digital tools and platforms, the KSB director said.
Abdullatif Adan, a teacher at the Mandera Special School for the Blind, said that the training was a game changer for the visually impaired and they will not be left behind in terms of technological use.
“With
this training, no one who has attended the sessions will have an excuse
that they do not know how to use
a computer or a laptop,” Adan said.
