By Cyrus A. Natividad
The visually impaired participants enjoyed the Computer-eyes Training with the help of Screen Reader called Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) at the College of Computer Studies Laboratory.
A Basic Computer-eyes training for Students with Visual Impairment was held in CPU for Secondary Level on August 24, 2023. The training is the first of its kind held at CPU – for visually impaired students. Fifteen participants from the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Guimaras joined the training at the College of Computer Science Laboratory.
Angel Kayle de Sisto, CPU BS Special Education and Teacher-Coordinator for the event (herself a visually impaired teacher) said, “I am happy for the outcome of this training because all of my trainees have learned a lot and I have received positive feedbacks from them. I am thankful to God for giving me strength and wisdom to teach the topics about computer, especially on how to use the screen reader called non-visual desktop access (NVDA) command keys.”
De Sisto thanked the people who helped make the computer training successful. First, she is thankful to the Resources For The Blind Inc. for giving her an opportunity to be a trainer of the Basic Computer-eyes Training. “I am also grateful to my Alma Mater, Central Philippine University for the good accommodation given to us; for the generous support of CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate, CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, for facilitating our Training Laboratory and lodging.” The male participants were billeted at the Franklin Hall Male Dormitory, and the females at the Weston Hall Female Dormitory.
Thank you so much for the Weekly Centralian Link headed by Communications Director Francis Neil G. Jalando-on and for the supportive articles by Prof. Cyrus A. Natividad; with Sir Mark Ortaliz for the websites. My gratitude also goes to the very hospitable TV crew and staff headed by Maám Nestle G. Taala, for the interview.”
“To the Latter Day Saints Charities Philippines, Thank you for donating blind canes to the participants of the training; to the Iloilo Provincial government and PSWDO Iloilo, headed by Ma’am Sarah Barayuga, and through the help of the focal person.
For persons with disabilities and senior citizens, Ma’am Rara Ganzon, and to my mother Mary Jinky Umahag for her all-out support and for assisting me in the training. I am also grateful for the help of the SPED teachers and parents of the participants and others who helped us in the training. To Ma’am Florence Moreno, Ma’am Hope Sobredo, Ma’am Ma. Teresa Tupas, and to all of the volunteers at CPU, particularly the CPU College Of Education Student Council and others who helped, through the help of the ever-supportive Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Merle Junsay, with my professor, Ma’am Eden Gomez. Thank you all for your support.
There will be a forthcoming 2nd Computer Training for the Blind, to be announced soon.