電腦教學課程

Summary
Taiwan Digital Talking Books Association (TDTB) aims to provide various computer-related courses to the visually impaired people of Taiwan including how to use the NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader. The main purpose of this project is to provide a computer literacy rehabilitation program for Taiwan's visually impaired. Through this project, Taiwan's visually impaired can build-up their ability to independently access information using a computer and the Internet.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
In Taiwan, there are about 55,000 people who are legally blind. On average over, the last ten years, about 2,000 people in Taiwan become legally blind every year. These individuals in particular face a serious problem in that, due to their lack of computer literacy, they are unable to access online information that might otherwise allow them to more fully participate in society.

How will this project solve this problem?
This project will employ experienced tutors to train the visually impaired with computer courses including use of the NVDA screen reader. These computer courses help the visually impaired in the following three ways: (1) it teaches them how to browse a web page using a screen reader, (2) it teaches them how to communicate with friends via e-mail and web phone and, (3) it allows them to acquire information independently online.

Potential Long Term Impact
The goal of this project is to train 50 visually impaired people to use the computer. It will provide them with the necessary skills to be able to independently access information using a computer. We hope that, as a result, Taiwan's visually impaired will have equal opportunities to participate in every aspect of society, including employment, education, as well as leisure activities. In the long run, this program will help the visually impaired gain integration into the society again.

Project Message
"As an acquired blind, I suffered by poor ability to using screen reader and amazed to recognize the experienced teacher was so few. I appreciate very much the teaching program offered by TDTB."
- Shu-lan Lai, Part-time Lecturer of Providence University, R.O.C

Rehabilitation for The Visually Impaired in Taiwan - GlobalGiving