Foerdekreis 10 Jahre
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( ) +# " , " , - ) . ! " # ' #$% & ' % ( * # !""# # ' . ( / ( 0 . & &"!' ! " .. % + # $ % &"!' . $) *)! )" 1 !!% ) * ()) * + !" #$ (' ' " + %& , $ )' ( !' ( & &"!' - * % % The IISE participants are projecting a preparatory school for visually impaired Isabel Torres children, here in Trivandrum. In this (Catalyst from Spain) school, children will learn Braille, Act Three sciences, mobility and living skills in a fun way. They will develop their confidence and creativity through sports, theatre, Three is the number of projects launched music and plastic arts. The team, who is by our first generation of IISE participants, already in touch with an architect, is raring in the context of the third act of our to design a cosy and sensory stimulating journey: “Getting real.” They presented environment for these children. their proposals to the general public and media on Saturday 25th of July, at the UST 2. Information is power. Together we are Global facility in Technopark, Trivandrum. stronger. These are not mere clichéd After calling attention to the needs of the phrases, but indisputable truths. At IISE, visually impaired, our participants the “blindsite team” (spelled s-i-t-e and announced their plans to bring positive not to be mistaken with the documentary change. “blindsight”) has clearly understood this. Their mission is to empower blind and Because the Internet is today's most partially sighted persons to lead powerful tool of communication and independent and confident lives: a most networking, they strive to create an needed undertaking, particularly in India accessible website that will foster a global where low self-esteem has been identified community and deliver comprehensive as a major challenge of the visually information to the visually impaired, in the impaired community. Each project team areas of education, health, technology tackles the problem from a different and finances. angle: 1. education; 2. communication; and 3. technology. 1. Are blind and partially sighted children learning the necessary skills to become successful members of society? The presented field study reveals that these children are lacking in all basic skills. “A girl in fourth grade could not read or write Braille,” comments Yoshimi Horiuchi, our blind participant from Japan. The problem does not only lie in inadequate teaching methods, but also in the deep- rooted belief that a blind person cannot Isabel Torres achieve much. Visually impaired children are often openly denigrated by teachers Karin Broske, from Norway, shares her and parents, which deeply hinders their experience as a blind Internet user: “In self-esteem. “These children would not order to see what is on the screen, I need even dare to ask a question,” explains the help of a screen reader. The problem Yoshimi. I face is that many websites are not fully 1 November 2009 accessible: they display information which blind person worldwide. In alliance with cannot be read by this software.” developers, manufacturers and users, I- Therefore, a priority for their project is to CREATE will test the prototypes before ensure full accessibility of the website production and market release. through any screen reading and magnification software. The event ended with a standing ovation from the audience. “I really enjoyed the Accessibility is not only a technical issue. presentation. It was definitely an eye- Robert Sabwami, a visually impaired ICT opening experience,” comments Mr. Arun trainer from Kenya, explains that Narayanan, UST Global's Chief Operating computer illiteracy and Internet Officer. unavailability are yet other two big challenges, especially in developing UST Global is one of IISE's most valued countries. “Take India for example” says partners. “IISE is an organization Robert, “40% of the population is enabling social change through the computer literate, but when it comes to education and empowerment of social visually impaired persons, the figure goes entrepreneurs around the globe. This down to 0,01% only.” Through their cause is in complete alignment with UST website the team plans to promote ICT Global's mission of 'Transforming Lives'. courses, as well as to lobby for the We are excited to be working with IISE to creation of free Internet points equipped develop leaders who will lead the change with adaptive technology. towards a better society” explains Mr. Krishna Prasad, Global Head-Delivery. 3. Talking of technology, the third presentation had everyone sitting on the Sabriye Tenberken and Paul Kronenberg, edge of their chairs. Through a role-play, co-founders of Braille Without Borders the team gave a powerful demonstration and the IISE: “We concentrate on the of the everyday challenges visually abilities of people, not on their disability. impaired persons face and how assistive Therefore we are confident that these technology can help overcome them. projects will become reality and will Creativity is endless: a smart cane that change the lives of many visually signals overhead obstacles, a machine impaired persons worldwide.” that can recognize money, a device that identifies the right bus, etc. The seed has been planted and the foundation laid for future generations of The team wants to open a centre in IISE participants to take the relay and Trivandrum that will revolutionize the make dreams real. world of adaptive technology: the International Centre for REsearch of Adaptive Technology (I-CREATE). It will be a “think and action tank,” where engineers and visually impaired persons from all over the world will come together to brainstorm. Their mission is to improve existing products, to innovate, and to make adaptive devices affordable to any 2 November 2009 Robert Sabwami At the same time, the group had to get (Participant from Kenya) concrete knowledge of existing websites The IISE Blindsite Project and what they offer. The survey revealed that most sites only focus on one Come to think of it! Why is the majority of dimension in what they offer, hence the the visually impaired people (VIP), need for having a multi-dimensional especially in developing countries, approach where everything could be dismissed as incapable and incompetent? found in a one stop site. Most of them are associated with poverty and above all, they are looked upon as In their research of what information or average performers. services to offer, the team had to pay attention to the interests of the said group. These, among other reasons, are what They later settled for four key areas which prompted the blindsite project team to included: finance, education, technology paint their dream of empowering the and health related issues. visually impaired people with information In terms of finance, the project aims to and all services they could possibly need expose credit facilities to encourage the through the medium of a website. For VIPs into social and business seven weeks, the team intensively worked entrepreneurship. Since most of them are on a needs study to set the stage ready believed to be unemployed and may not for the project. have the possibility of accessing bank loans, the micro-credit concept would be The team comprised of eight members: a stepping stone as a link to investments. Martin, Robert, Lucy, Mohamed, Karin, The objective is to enhance confidence, Eric, Jayne and Pynhoi, and two motivation and entrepreneurial skills catalysts, Isabel and Nora. Together, they among the VIPs. pooled their ideas and skills to initiate the process for an online project that will In the education section, information improve the lives of many visually about integrated schools, learning impaired people. The team endeavoured materials for the blind, vocational training to foster a global online community and centres and scholarships for the visually an international hub of information for the impaired people will be provided. visually impaired. The technology section will offer cutting To set the ball rolling, the team had to do edge news on the latest software and a needs study in order to understand the assistive devices. magnitude of the predicament that surrounded the VIP community in terms of As to health, The project aims to provide knowledge acquisition. This would help information on treatment of eye diseases, them understand the best way to tackle prevention of blindness, optical devices, the issues at hand. etc. Discussion forums of health related The team prepared two questionnaires topics will also be hosted. targeted at both individuals and organizations dealing with the VIPs. This More often than not, limitations in terms of study was based on field work and online accessibility of websites hamper the surveys. research and Internet browsing of 3 November 2009 information for the VIPs. In other words, Overall, the long awaited all inclusive insufficiency of information characterizes website is in the pipeline. Besides getting their surfing. Therefore, the team had to information and services, beneficiaries ensure that their website met all the and the wider users