Visually Impaired Pupils to Benefit from Software Project by Microsoft

Visually impaired students will have a reason to smile as Microsoft embarked on a 3 year coding and software development journey across the country with the aim of equipping blind pupils of between 8-13 years with basic computer and software programming skills.

According to Alex Nyingi, who is the Microsoft representative in East Africa, this campaign was driven by the fact that most software programmers have failed to consider the needs of the visually impaired persons a fact that is making it difficult for them to access technology like other persons

Mr. Nyingi said that the visually impaired students are taught mostly to understand the coding language behind the soft wares they use as the company has a long term plan to incorporate coding syntax into the curriculum vitae

The company recently formed a partnership with InABLE which is a Non-Governmental Organization and conducted training for 60 pupils from Thika, Meru and Siaya which was held in Thika

The pupils from Thika School for the Blind, St Oda from Siaya and St. Lucy from Meru were taken through intensive programming training on web development skills HTML as well as Java applications. They further got the opportunity to learn on how to share files using Microsoft 365 which operates through cloud computingSpeaking during the event InABLE programs manager Peter Okeyo said that the selection of the pupils who participated in the event was based on gender balance as well as their own ability to in computer skills.

So far the Organization has employed 111 trained teachers who operate within the seven technology computer labs placed at Thika High School for the Blind, Thika Primary School for the Blind, St. Lucy Primary School for the Blind, St. Lucy Secondary School for the Blind and St. Oda Primary Shool for the Blind

InABLE Organization received much support early this year from Access Kenya which is a communications and IT solutions provider after signing an agreement with Computer for Schools Kenya (CFSK) to support technology in the delivery of education in schools.

AcccessKenya further announced that it has set aside sh. 7.2 million shillings in a move to support technology to deliver education adding that the firm is aimed at ensuring that communication technology has fully grown.

Article by Shillah Mwadosho.