telecentres for people with dissabilities

[Eiko Kawamura]

I received this message in my email, Alejandra Davidziuk from PARM APC (women group of APC), she wants to know if we have any document about how to implement a telecentre for people with dissabilities. do you have any document or information i can suggest to her?

Thanks!

her message:
como estas? quisiera hacerte una consulta, tienen en Telecentre.org algun documento o estudio realizado sobre como un telecentro deberia estar disenado o dispuesto para facilitar el acceso y uso de personas con capacidades diferentes y/o especiales (discapacidades)?
muchas gracias!
Alejandra

[Vignesh Sornamohan]

Hi Eiko,

Its an important topic to ponder upon.

You may want to study the works of Ahmed Eisa ([e-mail]) and Nabil Eid ([e-mail]).

Recently, the Malaysian Government has initiated a similar initiative.

Cheers
Vignesh

[telecentre.org]

Hi Eiko, you may have seen this: http://www.telecentre.org/en/news.detail/102798/

[Cuchie Echeverria]

hi there! you can install a screen reader software like JAWS or NVDA in the computer units at your telecentre so that persons with disabilities, in this case the blind, can make use of computers and have access to the Internet. hope this helps.

[Cuchie Echeverria]

by the way, just wanna share that one of our goals for the Philippine Community eCenter web portal (http://www.philcecnet.ph) is to make it accessible even to persons with disabilities. we are still in the process of complying with the check points set by the Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG). they are the ones certifying the accessibility of websites in the country.

[Eiko Kawamura]

Hi Cuchie,

Thank you very much for this answers, i will share it with Alejandra who asked me about telecentres with experiencie working with people with disablities, or special habilities like we use to say here. Thanks again!

[Sherif Y. El Tokali]

Hi Eiko,
In Egypt we established 3 Telecntres for special needs (Visualy imparied/ Deaf & Mute). I could send you some documents.

[Karim A. Kasim]

Though there are limitation in finding one or more document speaking of implementing telecentres for people with disabilities, there are many initiatives that proved to be successful such as Nabil Eid's work in Syria, Ahmed Eissa in Sudan and many others. The available knowledge on Nabil and Ahmed's experiences are mainly in Arabic. There is an interesting project here in Cairo as well under Resala Foundation that was supported by UNDP among other partners. I ll see if they have any documents in English
http://www.resala.org/
http://www.resalatraining.org/

I have this web that is speaking of an initiative in the UK and it is interesting; http://distance.ktu.lt/telecentre/course1/k1_pamoka3.html

I attached few documents too, they have parts talking of disabilities being part of the telecentres target groups but they speak generally of establishing telecentres

[Eiko Kawamura]

Wow, Im so grateful for the information and attention that you Karim Kassim and my friend Sherif give to my request.

[Nabil Eid]

How ICT can enhance teaching and learning in Special Needs Education
http://www.caihand.com

The students with disabilities in classroom may have learning difficulties caused by a physical disability, blind and vision impairment , deaf - mute or speech, emotional or behavioral disorder, learning disability and problem or difficulties with reading, writing,
The use of ICT is essential in enabling students with Special Needs Education to gain access to the curriculum.
physical disability
What the role of ICT's for Students with physical disability ,
ICT can be used to:
•provide switch access to classroom activities, sorting and word processing
•translate text into speech and speech into text
•prepare work which is specially adapted with large fonts, symbols and particular colours
This will give pupils some level of independence in partaking in activities and the ability to work in an environment that encourages play and investigation.

For pupils with Learning Disabilities, using ICT can:
•provide pupils with a clutter-free working environment where features of programs are linked to pupils' ability
•enhance the development of activities which are clear, focused and attractive to pupils
•enable pupils to practices skills in a different context, allowing numerous repetitions in order to aid learning
•support language development activities and offer multi-sensory ways of learning
•offer a medium for differentiated activities

For pupils with emotional and behavioral difficulties, using ICT can:
•offer pupils a non-threatening or non-judgmental situation
•allow pupils to be motivated and offer opportunities for success
•give pupils the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning
•allow pupils to work on tasks that are more manageable and achievable
For pupils with emotional and behavioral difficulties, there is a range of ICT resources that can motivate and challenge pupils. These include multimedia programs and educational games. For pupils with learning difficulties, talking books and other CD-ROMs with good sound and graphics which are clearly laid out are useful. Also drill and practise programs, overlay keyboards, word list facilities and talking word processors will support pupils' learning

ICT Resources Issues
When using ICT with pupils with physical disability, it is important that there is regular assessment of their needs and the provision of training and support for both the pupils and their helpers. This will ensure that the equipment offered to pupils is suitable and appropriate for their needs. ICT resources can include computer access devices such as switches, adapted mice and key guards, communication aids and specialized software.
Consideration should be made for pupils with visual impairment in terms of the position of pupils in relation to a computer screen, the size of the computer monitor (preferably 17 inches or better), and the clarity of the display. Where possible, colours should be adjusted to meet the specific needs of pupils. Large and clear fonts and speech feedback should also be used where possible. ICT resources should include talking word processors, screen magnifiers, screen readers, electronic braillers and big pointer utilities.
Pupils with hearing impairment may need symbols and pictures to enhance the meaning of text. Graphics can be used to stimulate writing and illustrated overlays can also make writing more accessible when using a concept keyboard. ICT resources should include symbol generating software, word processors, overlay keyboards, word lists, clipart to illustrate writing, spell checkers and grammar checkers.
ICT and Special Needs – Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Duration
Introductory Course Phase 1 or equivalent experience
Ideally, participants will also have completed Introductory Course Phase 2 or have equivalent experience.
Target Audience
This course is intended specifically for teachers of student