Mandera: At least 100 visually impaired persons in Mandera County have benefitted from a 10-day digital training programme aimed at equipping them with foundational knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in this interconnected, technology-driven world. The training, which concluded yesterday, is designed to equip individuals with visual impairments with the necessary digital skills to independently use digital gadgets, enabling them to navigate and participate effectively in the growing digital landscape.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme is implemented by the Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) in collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK) government and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet). KSB Executive Director, Samson Waweru, emphasized that technology serves as a catalyst for visually impaired individuals, facilitating not only access to information and services but also opportunities inherent in modern-day technologies.
Speaking during the training’s closing ceremony, Waweru announced that KSB will provide computers equipped with assistive devices at the Mandera Library, allowing beneficiaries to visit and access online services. ‘For a person who is blind, technology is the only bridge that can cure gaps of life and enable us to access employment opportunities and become better in our profession,’ Waweru stated, highlighting the importance of the partnership with the UK government and KICTANet in equipping visually impaired individuals with basic technological skills.
Waweru also revealed plans to bring 40 computers to the library, 10 of which will feature assistive software for the blind, enabling users to access information and opportunities. Additionally, the KSB director mentioned plans to provide access to digital books, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making abilities to foster effective and responsible use of digital tools and platforms.
Abdullatif Adan, a teacher at the Mandera Special School for the Blind, described the training as a game changer for the visually impaired community in the county, ensuring they are not left behind in technological advancements. ‘With this training, no one who has attended the sessions will have an excuse that they do not know how to use a computer or a laptop,’ Adan asserted.
