Publication > Newsletter > Newsletter 17 > Training of Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons

Training of Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons
16 August - 8 September 2006

APCD organized the Training of Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons (ICT for VIPs). The objectives were to train computer teachers/ICT training staff from organizations of/for VIPs to be able to 1) teach computer operation to VIPs with assistive devices/software, 2) design appropriate computer training for VIPs, and 3) understand the concept of information accessibility for persons with disabilities based on universal design principles.

The fourteen participants from governmental and non-governmental organizations of/for VIPs in 7 developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam participated in the training. Eleven of the 14 participants were blind and 1 had a physical disability.

The course was mainly led by blind resource persons from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand who are professional in technologies for VIPs. Mr. Wiraman Niyomphol, from Ratchasuda College, Thailand, was the course leader. Mr. Silatul Rahim Dahman from Malaysian Association for the Blind, a former ICT for All participant co-lectured with Mr. Wiraman teaching the operation of JAWS, Microsoft Office Application, Internet, E-mails, and other teaching methods. Altair for Windows, a self-voicing software with 3 main functions of editing, e-mailing and browsing, was taught by Mr. Toshiaki Aomatsu, JICA Expert on ICT and a teacher at the National School for the Blind in Japan. APCD also invited Mr. Monthian Bhuntan, the President of Thailand Association of the Blind to give a lecture on information accessibility for persons with disabilities.

A field visit was made to the Bangkok School for the Blind and Ratchasuda College to practice conducting classes and provide support for visually impaired students and other disabled persons.

Participants were so enthusiastic to learn and raised a number of remarkable questions. They helped each other and supported resource persons to have the training move on smoothly.

Every week, participants were required to role play as a teacher to their classmates which they found very useful.

APCD is confident that we have developed numbers of future trainers of ICT for VIPs in this course and believes that the utmost objective of this course is fully met through their performance during the course and from their action plans. APCD strongly hopes to witness their implementation through APCD various follow-up activities.

Interview of Resource Persons

Q1: In your opinion, what were the obstacles to approach ICT for VIP?

Mr. Wiraman Niyomphol

"Having worked in the region for several years, there are two obstacles as we move toward ICT for the blind; local language access and web accessibility. We need to continue to work on computer access solutions for many other local languages in the region. Web accessibility is a more general issue. Although many websites are now accessible, we still need to raise awareness and encourage more web developers to comply with accessible guidelines."

Mr. Toshiaki Aomatsu, JICA Expert on ICT

"1) The special software and other related-special devices for the blind and special devices are still expensive, 2) sighted people with computer knowledge may not always be a good computer teacher for the blind since they may not know how the blind use computers, and 3) blind people lack job opportunity causing the lack of access to computers."

Q2: Do you think ICT could empower persons with disabilities?

Mr. Wiraman Niyomphol

"ICT would definitely empower disabled people. Having skills to search and exchange information through the Internet and to be able to operate computers independently, will make it faster for persons with disabilities in the region to communicate globally."

Mr. Silatul Rahim Dahman

"ICT is a tool that can develop and empower persons with disabilities, enabling them to become more able persons promoting and upgrading the potential of persons with disabilities."

Mr. Toshiaki Aomatsu

"If VIPs can use ICT, they will be able to work in the ICT-related field as sighted people. If we could develop a good job opportunity model, we will be able to empower them. If they can create their websites, they can establish a network among blind people."

Q3: What are your impressions of this year's training? Mr. Wiraman Niyomphol

"All blind participants had previous knowledge of the Screen Reader and basic computer. Sighted participants enthusiastically learned how to work with computers from the blindness perspective. As the course leader, I personally feel that we have put together a quality workshop with knowledgeable trainers in the region. I hope APCD will continue trainings for the blind and visually impaired in the future."

Mr. Silatul Rahim Dahman

"The training was smooth and productive as it was well-prepared and organized."

Mr. Toshiaki Aomatsu

"All participants were very active asking lots of questions along with suggestions to improve the Altair software. They have a good attitude about learning new things and are positive about using their skills to promote ICT in their country. They would become good trainers. With most of them being blind, they will play an important role to promote and empower blind people in their country."

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