From 18 November to 6 December 2024, the Professional Development Center (PDC) of the Virtual University (VU) of Pakistan (DTC Pakistan) implemented its first train-the-trainer programme on the “Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired” (ICBVI) course. This specialized training was organised by VU with support from ITU and Norway through the DTC Project “Boosting digital skills through Digital Transformation Centres”, and ST Foundation who provided the expertise and content necessary to start the roll-out of the programme. The main objective was to equip trainers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively teach visually impaired individuals the fundamentals of computer usage, fostering inclusivity in digital education.
During the first two weeks of the programme, 10 visually impaired trainers and 10 sighted instructors (of whom 30% were women) engaged in comprehensive and hands-on learning and had the opportunity to practice the skills acquired with a group of 20 visually impaired learners who joined the sessions in the afternoons. Following the second week of training, 8 instructors (5 sighted and 3 visually impaired) from the initial cohort were selected, based on their performance, to become master trainers and received an additional week of advanced training on the ICBVI course. As a way forward, DTC Pakistan plans to engage the trainers trained to conduct at least two more trainings for a group of 40 visually impaired citizens in Karachi as well as in the northern part of the country.
Impact story: Inclusive digital education for visually impaired people in Pakistan
