The absence of employment development for the blind and partially sighted in Liberia is alarming. This is further exacerbated by the lack of access to computers and internet connectivity. This has placed serious socio-economic constraints on the advancement of blind and partially sighted persons and their abilities to contribute to the communities within which they live. As a matter of fact, blind and visually impaired persons are already at a disadvantage for acquiring gainful employment through which they can support their families after high school or college.
An overwhelming number of blind and partially sighted (BPS) persons in Liberia have little to no access to computer literacy, which put them at a disadvantage for access to employment. They also have little to no access to assistive technologies that would provide them the independence to acquire employment and succeed in the workplace. This lack of access put BPS persons at an even higher disadvantage for searching and applying for employment.
The program has recently renovated a 600 sqft. computer room at CAB’s Resource Center and transformed it into a modern computer lab for computer education and employment development of the blind in Liberia. The renovation has included replacement of floor tiles, painted the walls and installed wall-fans. As part of the project, CAB has already procured five new computer-desktops with assistive technology, office suite, and antivirus installed on them. Five new desks/ chairs and computer tables have also be installed in this fully renovated facility at CAB’s National Resource Centre for the Blind located on the RIA Highway in Paynesville city,Montserrado County, Liberia.
10 blind and partially sighted persons have already been identified and currently undergoing 2 months of rigorous computer training. Upon graduation trainees will be certified in the use of assistive technology and computer literacy, preparing these beneficiaries for gainful employment. In the long-term, this project would have provided a facility for the continuation of training in the use of assistive technology and computer literacy for blind students attending CAB’s resource centre. The goal is to prepare students for post education employment opportunities, provide access to online job postings and enhance their confidence to succeed in the real world.
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