ABOUT THE TRAINING

In a significant stride towards digital inclusivity, the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), in collaboration with the ST Foundation and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), recently conducted a transformative training program titled ‘Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired’ (ICBVI). This two week long initiative aimed to equip 30 visually impaired, partially sighted and sighted individuals across Uganda with essential digital skills, fostering their integration into the digital ecosystem.

The training encompassed six comprehensive modules namely: keyboard navigation; word processing; file management; Microsoft Excel; Internet browsing and email usage. It was led by Prof. Cristian Bernareggi from the University of Turin; Ms. Roobi Roobi, and Sada Kanne, an experienced instructor from Senegal. Their combined expertise ensured an engaging and accessible learning environment for all participants.

Objectives of the training:

1. Train and certify 20 trainers. Ensure they have foundational knowledge. Equip them with practical skills to effectively teach the Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired (ICBVI) course.
2. Help the trainers acquire inclusive teaching methodologies. These methodologies should promote accessibility and use adaptive learning strategies. They must be tailored to meet the needs of visually impaired individuals.
3. Create a pool of certified trainers who can cascade the training to additional instructors, ensuring long-term sustainability and wider reach.

BACKGROUND

Statistical data by the 2023 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey shows that approximately 6% of Uganda’s population (about 2.8 million people) are visually impaired. Moreover, an estimated 30,000 new cases of bilateral visual impairment occur each year, primarily due to cataracts and refractive errors.

Visual impairment hampers an individual’s development as majority are unable to access education and employment, among other services. This training directly responds to the pressing national need to equip Uganda’s visually impaired community with the digital skills critical for thriving in today’s economy.

“Visual impairment significantly affects individuals’ ability to perform daily activities, pursue education, and maintain employment. This challenge underscores the need for extending digital literacy to the visually impaired for their inclusion in the digital economy,” says Francis Bwire, head of the Business Development Center at UICT.

Furthermore, the ICBVI initiative is aligned with Uganda’s broader vision under the Digital Transformation Roadmap launched by Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The roadmap aims to build an inclusive digital economy by promoting universal access to ICTs, enhancing digital literacy, and bridging the digital divide, especially among marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities.

UICT’S INVOLVEMENT & ROLE

In September 2019, the Digital Transformation Centres Initiative (DTCI) was launched by ITU and Cisco with the objective of supporting countries to strengthen digital capacities at basic and intermediate levels. Digital Transformation Centres (DTCs) are part of the Initiative to deliver training through a network of institutions or centres with the infrastructure, expertise and experience to run training at basic and intermediate levels and operating nationally. The Initiative targets citizens mainly from rural and underserved communities with low or no digital skills.

UICT is one of the 14 DTCs under ITU delivering ICBVI’s train-the-trainer programme as part of the DTC’s activities. The programme aims to train and certify 20 trainers with foundational knowledge and practical skills to effectively teach the ICBVI course; help trainers acquire inclusive teaching methodologies that promote accessibility and adaptive learning strategies tailored to the needs of visually impaired individuals and create a pool of certified trainers for sustainability.

“At UICT, inclusion is not a slogan, it is a practice. This training exemplifies our institutional mission to leave no one behind in the digital revolution. By equipping visually impaired and partially sighted individuals with foundational ICT skills, we are enabling new pathways to employment, education, innovation, and independence,” says Dr. Fredrick Kitoogo, Principal – UICT.

SUSTAINABLE IMPACT THROUGH TRAIN-THE-TRAINER APPROACH

A distinctive feature of the ICBVI program was its ‘train-the-trainer’ component. This approach involved training 20 sighted instructors to teach computer skills without relying on a mouse, emphasizing keyboard proficiency. By empowering these trainers with inclusive teaching methodologies, the program ensures a ripple effect, enabling the dissemination of digital skills to a broader segment of the visually impaired community.

TESTIMONIALS & WAY FORWARD

Participants of the ICBVI training expressed profound appreciation for the opportunity to acquire digital skills. One trainee noted, “This training has opened doors for me. I can now navigate the digital world with confidence, which I never thought possible.”

Such testimonials underscore the transformative impact of the program, not just in skill acquisition but in enhancing self-confidence and independence among visually impaired individuals.

The success of the ICBVI training sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at digital inclusivity. By fostering collaborations between governmental bodies, international organizations and local institutions, Uganda is making significant strides in ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

For more information on the ICBVI program and upcoming training sessions, visit the UICT website – www.uict.ac.ug