Computer Labs for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Collins who has low vision due to Albinism, was among the special-needs student in Kenya who had the opportunity to benefit from the inABLE Computer-labs-for-the-Blind program. For eight years, Collins attended the computer lessons provided by inABLE in partnership with the Thika Primary School for the Blind. During this period he was very committed, disciplined, and self-driven. Collins excelled in coding class and participated in peer-to-peer training, where he helped other blind and visually impaired students improve their understanding the computer concepts.

During his primary-school education, Collins achieved good grades and was admitted into the Aquinas Boys High school, which an integrated school that admits students with special needs. Despite his vision challenges, Collins managed to beat all odds to score a very good grade of A- in the Kenya certificate of Secondary Education test. This achievement will help him fulfill his goal of attending a good University of his choice to work toward his dream of becoming a medical doctor.

Collins ‘ high exam performance was recently highlighted on one of the leading local TV stations.

As an organization, inABLE, is bursting with pride at the accomplishments of all of our students, including today the most capable and ambitious Collins. We join the loud chorus of praise to congratulate Collins and his family. And look forward to the day when Collins is living his dream.

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• Computer Lab alumni & peer mentor

As the 2019 curtain comes down with a few weeks left to cross over to a new a new year, inABLE.org was fortunate to host a team of guests from a globally respected organization MasterCard Foundation.

MasterCard Foundation representatives Andrew Kaylee Stewart and Andrew Okuzuwa joined inABLE Board Member Joe Kiarie, Tangaza University College Lecturer Brenda Kiema, and inABLE Business Development Manager George Siso joined on a tour of the inABLE computer labs at the Thika Primary School for the Blind. They were all briefed about inABLE’s work toward its mission to empower blind and visually impaired youths in Africa through computer assistive technology. And discussed how the blind and low vision students learn to use the computers and the benefits of computer literacy.

The enthusiastic group engaged with the students, who were busy in the inABLE computer lab doing different assignments, including typing or using Microsoft office word application to coding using basic HTML. Our guests heard about the learning process from the students themselves and also observed how the students utilized different software applications on the computers.

Anthony Wambua, who is a blind intern in the inABLE Computer-labs-for-the-Blind program, had a chance to demonstrate his coding skills and that is what really impressed our MasterCard Foundation visitors. They could not believe how a blind individual could clearly explain how coding is done and how he teaches coding to blind students at the school.

Links:

• MasterCard Foundation Visits inABLE Computer Lab