Pilot course gives sight-impaired people computer power

On June 14, eight blind and sight-impaired individuals will be the first graduates of the new Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind adaptive technology computer course.

The graduation will be the culmination of a pilot 10-week training programme designed especially for RNZFB members who want to learn Microsoft applications.

"The training programme is geared towards blind and sight-impaired people seeking to return to work or to enhance their existing work skills," said Harris Rosensweig, manager of adaptive technology at the Foundation.

The students have been learning basic computer operations, how to use email and access the internet and word processing to an advanced level.

Helena Tutaeo 27, an employee of the Foundation for the Blind has been gradually losing her sight but had previously learned Word applications using the mouse.

Now with limited sight Helena has joined this course to update her skills and learn to get around the computer using keystrokes, a screen reader and no mouse.

"My goal is for the computer skills I learn to become second nature. Then I can take the skills back to the Foundation and put them into practice," she said.

Bill Bryan 52, another student in the training programme, works at Auckland Hospital as a processor of x- rays in the darkroom, but with the introduction of digital x-ray technology, his position will no longer be required.

Bill hopes that with his new computer skills he can slot into another job at Auckland Hospital or elsewhere.

"I don't want to be unemployed after working for 28 years."

The graduation ceremony next Friday will also celebrate the release of Pulse Data's web browser for their Braille Note electronic notetakers.