The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was the 3rd of December 2022 which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. Last year’s theme was “transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world”.
Challenges for learners with visual impairments in Kenya include poor communication, poverty, long distances to school, lacking basic education resources like teachers, and low literacy rates within communities. On a positive note, Kenya has a policy in place that aims to make education accessible and inclusive by providing space, resources, and training for teachers in schools so that learners with and without visual impairments can learn alongside each other, enabled by EdTech solutions.
In November 2022, I once again moderated EdTech Monday Kenya where our panel discussion topic was 'Edtech as an Enabler of Education for Learners with Visual Impairments In Kenya'. Our panel consisted of Sheilah Lutta, Principal Education Officer - Special Needs Education, Ministry of Education. Suparna Biswas, CEO, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa. Eric Ngodi, Board Member, United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK) and Secretary - Society of Professionals with Visual Disabilities (SOPVID). Rose Omollo was our sign language Interpreter.
I found this particular Edtech Monday Kenya to be truly eye-opening as I got to visit Moi Girls High School in Nairobi where they have a team, facilities, and equipment to accommodate school girls with visual impairments. I met some of those involved including teachers, students, and other support staff, and got to interview them to better understand the realities on the ground as well as the challenges and opportunities that exist. EdTech for learners with visual impairments is clearly transformative!
