September 6, 2001 | Read Time: 1 minute
Young people who are blind or otherwise visually impaired got the chance to learn how to build Web sites and repair computer hardware in a series of technology camps held by Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind this summer.
The Washington charity held two two-week camps for middle-school students, as well as a three-week technology camp for high-school students.
Dale Otto, president of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, says specialized software is the key to helping students with vision problems learn how to use computer technology. The camp uses “assistive technology” programs that, with the aid of a speech card, read text on the Internet to the blind. Other software enlarges text for people with vision impairments.
The charity says that the unemployment rate among blind adults who are able to work is almost 70 percent. It hopes that by giving young people with vision problems opportunities to learn how to use information technology, they can gain the job skills they need to succeed. Says Mr. Otto, “The only way any young person is going to be competitive in the job market is through technology. Without it, you’re at a huge disadvantage.”
To get there: Go to http://www.clb.org/children/nvrp.htm.
