Computer Literacy Training for Visually Impaired people

At Mitra Jyothi, the focus is on visual disability and the various ways one can overcome the same to lead independent lives and be successful contributors to society rather than being a victim of the associated stigma and social issues around it. Various socio-economic issues are associated with this disability.

Especially visually impaired from the poorer masses are left neglected with minimal to complete absence of care where providing them basic food and clothing becomes a humongous burden to the rest of the family. They are left reduced to just extra mouths to feed in an already financially deprived family. In middle class families, a different trend is seen. Out of sheer concern and care, the basic need of the visually impaired individual is taken care of to the best of the family’s financial ability. The visually impaired in such cases will become highly dependent individuals who have to lean onto others for everything and not be independent members who can contribute towards the family and in-turn to the society at large. 

Programs at Mitra Jyothi are designed with the needs of the visually disabled from marginalized and rural community.

Ø Bring the world of computers to persons with visual disability

o  Make them computer literate

o  Enhance their employability - From clerical posts to working in hi-tech jobs, the enabler is “Computer Literacy”

Ø Open up the doors to higher education

o  Many of the students at Mitra Jyothi continue their education with further zeal and vigor once they become computer literate.

o  Knowledge of talking books, e- books and various text to speech conversion software drives up the thirst for education in them

o  Bring in the awareness of assistive aids and thereby fill in the gaps that prevented them from aiming higher

Ø Initiate the visually disabled to today’s digital world

o  Introduce them to the usage of electronic/digital devices, supportive and assistive devices which they were otherwise unaware of

o  Develop Accessibility awareness

Ø Bring in the Internet into the world of the visually disabled.

o  Absolutely essential in today’s digital world where everything from shopping to banking and money management is on the internet

o  Exposure to various possibilities and probable means of livelihood and career

This program addresses the lack of employability skills among the visually impaired.

Strength in her limitation: Fida. KS, a confident 23 years old girl from Kerala landed in Bangalore to find solace and comfort. She was affected with Retinitis Pigmentosa right after B.Pharm graduation. After a long phase of depression Fida decided to not give up and look for light and face the world with strength and a smile. Going through several newspaper articles she came across Mitra Jyothi and planned to come to get trained in Computer. She claims to feel better about herself after coming to Mitra Jyothi. Meeting and interacting with others made her believe in herself and motivated towards life as a whole. According to her Mitra Jyothi has given her the will and confidence to pull herself out of the darkness. Today she is working as receptionist at Mitra Jyothi and also lends a helping hand in the computer lab. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity given to her which helps her to help other people who come in with utmost warmth. She aspires to open her own pharmacy shop one day. Such is her courage and will to keep looking forward to achieve great things and to never give up in life.