Computer Labs for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Our visually impaired students are not only eager to learn how to use computers, but they also want to become the best at it to become software engineers and design inclusive digital devices. Anthony Wambua – A Computer Instructor and graduate of the Computer-Labs-for-the-Blind program– is leading example as he sharpens his coding skills daily. He even wowed First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, who recognized him as the first blind programmer in Africa. 

Following him closely is Victor Kiplangat, a young blind boy in grade five who was very restless in class and kept fidgeting while trying to repair the broken volume buttons on his headphones. He was so disturbed that his teacher took notice and when he was approached, he stated that one day he would figure out how to fix the headphones and design one.  

Once he was given the opportunity and after following instructions, through touch and feel, he went through every single visible wire and relaxed back in his chair and said, “I will find the best tools and come back to do the repairing myself after some time. I cannot wait to become an engineer who understands what is inside the computer and each wire does to keep the computer working properly.” 

His desire and passion encourage us, his teachers, to do everything we can to keep him motivated. At home he enjoys repairing their family radio and TV and he prefers being called Engineer Victor and not just Victor Kiplangat.  

It gives us great pleasure to witness our students grow to loving and enjoying the use of technology, despite their sight status.  

Links:

• Margaret Kenyatta

inABLE Coding for Interns Team recently showcased their coding skills at the 3rd Annual Inclusive Africa Conference hosted by inABLE on May 25-26, 2022 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi Kenya.

This is a team of five young brilliant interns who are either blind and visually impaired and have all been been part of the Computer-Labs-for-the-Blind Program at Primary and High School level. They all did graduate high school recently and inABLE enrolled them in the coding program which takes a year to complete trained by inABLE.

In less than one year, these interns have proved to be very skilled at HTML and they have all created different websites which they are currently working on perfecting. These interns have also now been hired as Computer Instructors and are teaching the blind and visually impared students in the 6 inABLE Computer-Labs-for-the-Blind stations in Meru, Thika, Siaya, and Likoni Counties. 

Led by Anthony who aspires to be the first blind computer programmer in Africa, their presentation at the 3rd Annual Inclusive Africa Conference was proof that Disability is not inability, and given a platform, people living with disabilities can excel and deliver. These interns delivered an inspiritation presentation to over 300 participants from different industries and countries. 

These phenomenal group includes Atanus, Anthony, Amina, Charity, and Christine. 

Links:

• Accessibility Conference