Die approbierte Originalversion dieser Diplom-/Masterarbeit ist an der Hauptbibliothek der Technischen Universität Wien aufgestellt (http://www.ub.tuwien.ac.at). The approved original version of this diploma or master thesis is available at the main library of the Vienna University of Technology (http://www.ub.tuwien.ac.at/englweb/). Masterarbeit Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien für Menschen mit Sehbehinderungen in Tansania ausgeführt am: Institut für Gestaltungs- und Wirkungsforschung der Technischen Universität Wien unter der Anleitung von: O. Univ. Prof. Doz. Dipl. Ing. Dr. techn. Peter Fleissner durch Serge Alain Noussi Tedjui, Bakk.techn. 0027766; 066/922 Werndlgasse 14-18/15/25 1210 Wien [email protected] _______________________ ______________________ Datum Unterschrift 1 Master Thesis Information and Communication Technology for Persons with Visual Impairments in Tanzania conducted at the: Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology of the Vienna University of Technology under the guidance of: O. Univ. Prof. Doz. Dipl. Ing. Dr. techn. Peter Fleissner by Serge Alain Noussi Tedjui, Bakk.techn. 0027766; 066/922 Werndlgasse 14-18/15/25 1210 Wien [email protected] _______________________ ______________________ Date Signature 2 Dedication I dedicate this work to my beloved sons Lionel and Marwin who are the main source for my ambitions and give me the strength to continue studying while also working and taking care of the family. 3 Acknowledgements My special acknowledgments go to: Ø Prof. Fleissner for accepting supervising my thesis and showing true interest in the topic. He has been of great support and has helped me enormously to successfully structure and finish this study. Ø The Vienna University of Technology (TU-Wien): • For Financial Support, which permitted me not to limit myself to a literature research but to go on field research to South Africa and Tanzania Ø The South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB): • For the free training programme on the Dolphin Mercury Pen and Mapping. • For their assistance in providing me with information on the situation of persons with visual impairments in Africa by enabling me to use their library and their internet connection. Ø The Information Centre on Disability (ICD): Thank you for your assistance in providing me with contacts of associations for blind persons and with statistics about the number of persons with visual impairments in Africa and in Tanzania. Ø The Tanzanian National Institute for the Blind (TNIB): Thank you for your willingness to share information with me on the situation of persons with visual impairments in Tanzania. Ø My thanks go particularly to Lazaro, Baraka, Edgar, Godwin, Joy, Kaganzi, James and many others. Ø Special thanks also to my wife Katharina Noussi, for her assistance, as the coordinator of the project Inclusive Tanzania, she provided me with all the required information Ø Another special thanks to my mother Mme. Maptué Marie-Claire for everything she has done and is still doing for me. 4 Abstract This Master Thesis is based on my field research in Tanzania and South Africa in July 2007 and on the intensive screening of one case study, the project “Inclusive Tanzania”. While Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an essential element of our global information society, and consequently of our way of living and working, persons in developing countries have hardly access to ICT. However, also in the poor communities of the world, the development of the ICT sector is rapidly gaining grounds while leaving out persons with disabilities. Persons with visual impairments belong to the poorest of the poor, largely excluded from everyday life in their societies. Therefore, one might argue that they would need access to ICT most in order to empower themselves and participate in society. This thesis aims at contributing to raise awareness on the potentials and rights of persons with disabilities to fully participate in the information society. They can do so if they are facilitated with assistive devices and training. I hope that this thesis can contribute to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream ICT policies, programmes and projects on the one hand and to the development of special policies, programmes and projects aimed at supplying persons with visual impairments in developing countries, and in Tanzania in particular, with ICT. 5 Table of Contents Dedication ................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 2 Situation of persons with visual impairments in Africa and in Tanzania particularly ........................... 12 2.1. What is visual impairment? ............................................................................................................... 12 2.2. Persons with visual impairments in Africa........................................................................................ 16 2.3. Visual impairment: situation analysis of Tanzania ........................................................................... 19 Chapter 3 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for persons with visual impairments .................. 22 3.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 22 3.2. ICT supporting persons with visual impairments .............................................................................. 23 3.2.1 Using a computer with Low-Vision .............................................................................................. 26 3.2.2 Using a computer without vision .................................................................................................. 27 3.2.3 Supernova™ ScreenReader and Magnifier ................................................................................... 28 3.3. ICT for persons with visual impairments in Tanzania ...................................................................... 35 Chapter 4 Project example: “Inclusive Tanzania – access to ICT for persons with visual impairments” .............. 38 4.1. “Inclusive Tanzania” - Project Description ....................................................................................... 38 4.2. “Inclusive Tanzania” and ICT for persons with visual impairments ................................................. 44 4.2.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.2 Needs identification ...................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.3 Braille embosser ........................................................................................................................... 47 4.2.4 Dolphin Pens and Computer Literacy Training ............................................................................ 50 4.2.5 Audio Tapes .................................................................................................................................. 55 4.2.6 Accessible website ........................................................................................................................ 55 Chapter 5 ”ICT for persons with visual impairments in Tanzania” – Cost-Benefit Analysis and Lessons Learnt 57 6 5.1. Definition of a Cost-Benefit Analysis ............................................................................................... 57 5.2. Costs .................................................................................................................................................. 63 5.3. Benefits ............................................................................................................................................. 65 5.3.1 Quantitative Indicators .................................................................................................................. 65 5.3.2 Qualitative Indicators .................................................................................................................... 66 5.4. Summary and Conclusions of the Cost-Benefit Analysis ................................................................. 68 5.5. Lessons Learnt .................................................................................................................................. 69 5.6. Reflections on developing a large-scale project ................................................................................ 71 Chapter 6 Summary and Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter 7 Bibliography .........................................................................................................................................