The Ghana Blind Union in October 2002 put up a model regional Computer Learning Centre to provide Blind and Partially Sighted persons with Basic computer literacy skills in an attempt to level the playing field in all spheres of endeavours for all BPS persons in Ghana in particular and the west African sub-region in general. chanel replica sale This is done through the implementation of a six week basic computer learning course at the centre.
The project had the primary objective to train blind and partially sighted persons to become proficient enough in order to help them participate in educational and employment opportunities offered to their sighted peers. replica watches sale The GBU center has managed to set up a series of training courses with the purpose of providing the students with skils in information communication technology. This project is the first of its kind in West Africa. The project is also geared at becoming a principal distribution centre of equipment and adaptive technology for blind persons in West Africa.
In pursuance of these objectives, satellite centres have been established in strategic locations across the country. This is geared towards providing increased access to information, communication, equalization of opportunities pertaining to education and employment as well as lesure. Thus enhancing comprehensive social inclusion.
The target group is largely made up of educated Blind persons who are either employed or receiving education from the tertiary levels as well as those in the secondary and basic levels. Though The estimated target group in Ghana alone numbers over two thousand four hundred BPS persons in all, the centre could only train on average about sixty-four (64) in a given year. chanel replica This therefore left a huge number of BPS persons without the services of the Access Technology project in a timely manner.
In order to address this situation, the main stakeholders which included the Ghana Blind Union and The Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service moved beyond the model regional centre to set up what has been referred to as satellite centres in various educational institutions across the length and breadth of the country. This is due to the fact that the educational institutions at the various levels hold close to 80% of the target population. From 2005 to 2008 therefore, the centre in collaboration with various institutions from the tertiary to the basic level of education set up eight (8) of these satellite centres round the country in addition to improving the services at the model regional centre.
In order to improve the services rendered by the access Technology project and build upon llessons learnt from previous experiences,new strategies will be employed that factor in reflection and learning. One significant feature of the next phase of the project, is the importance attached to advocacy and awareness raising on issues pertaining to access technology in order to create and ensure an enabling and conducive environment. Again, there is more emphasis on the use of monitoring as a strategy to strengthen the satlite centers.
A continuation of this project will be highly beneficial since it will provide an opportunity to reach more of the targeted group. Furthermore, relevant issues which were not given adequate attention in the first phase of the project WILL BE COMNPREHENSIVELY DEALT WITH AT THIS STAGE. It is envisaged that the project will further expand upon our current success. Additionally, it will be important to note that based on the demonstrated importance and advantage that access technology plays in the social inclusion of BpS persons, there is an overwhelming demand for access technology among the entire BPS population across the length and breadth of the country.
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