Closing Accessibility Gaps for Blind

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are grateful to share this update on Closing Accessibility Gaps for Blind, a project created to improve access to education, dignity, and inclusion for blind and visually impaired children in Ndola, Zambia. Many learners with visual impairments continue to face serious barriers, including limited access to assistive learning materials, inadequate classroom support, mobility challenges, and a shortage of appropriate tools that help them participate fully in school. Through this project, we are working to reduce these gaps and ensure that children who are blind or visually impaired are not left behind simply because the right support is missing.

During this reporting period, our team continued engaging with schools, teachers, caregivers, and community members to better understand the needs of learners with visual impairments. The project has so far identified and supported approximately 30 children with severe visual impairment and deafblindness-related learning challenges across selected schools in Ndola, including learners from special education settings. Support has focused on needs assessment, school engagement, awareness raising, and preparing for improved access to assistive learning tools such as Braille materials, mobility support, adapted classroom resources, and inclusive learning guidance for teachers and caregivers.

One learner, whom we will call Chanda to protect their privacy, reminded us why this project matters. Chanda is bright and eager to learn, but often depends on others to access classroom information that sighted learners receive more easily. With improved support, Chanda can participate more confidently in class, interact better with teachers and classmates, and feel less isolated in the learning environment. Chanda’s story reflects the reality of many blind and visually impaired children who have the ability to learn, but need the right tools, patience, and inclusive support to succeed.

In the next phase, the project will continue focusing on practical accessibility support, including strengthening school-based assessments, mobilizing assistive devices and learning materials, working with teachers and caregivers, and promoting inclusive education practices. We deeply appreciate every supporter who has stood with this project. Your support is helping children with visual impairments move closer to a future where they can learn with dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity.