Pacific Disability Forum

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News Title: Youth with Special needs take a step further inthe Computer Age

Date Published: 23 May 2010

 

Youth with special need take a step further into the computer age.

15 youths with special needs will take part in a computer and customer service training programme this week that will increase their employment possibilities and help others still in school with their studies.

The initiative by Nuanua o le Alofa, and donor NZAID stems from the lack of training opportunities available to members because of the difficulties in accessing training venues and materials in accessible formats.

Office manager for Nuanua o le Alofa, Faatino Utumapu says the week-long training is an initiative by the organization to introduce its members to technology in order to increase their chances at finding employment.

‘The majority of participants are still looking for jobs and with these skills on hand; it will hopefully increase their chances.’

‘Some of the participants are at their final years in college while others are at university. The training will help them as education is moving more and more towards computers these days.’

The training is designed to suit participants with different special needs, such as the availability of a screen reading software on computers for those with vision impairment so they can fully participate.

‘The needs of students with disabilities are often overlooked in a normal computer training environment, thus they do not gain as much as they should. This training takes into account the different needs of students and the programme will be conducted accordingly. There is no reason why youths with special needs should not access the same opportunities as people without, especially in technology training.’

Some participants who have never joined a computer training course have shared how enthusiastic they are at being given the opportunity to learn something new.

The programme covers basic Microsoft word and excel, and basic reception skills, in which students will be awarded with certificates at the completion of the one-week course.

The training is conducted by computer experts from the Apia Institute office of technology.

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