Concept is an NGO based in Senegal, with the mandate to bridge the digital divide and empower underserved communities, Concept has been delivering basic and intermediate digital skills training in nationwide. The NGO is closely collaborating with ST Foundation (a partner of the DTC Initiative) to implement its Digital Unify (DU) programme across the country. In addition to capacity development, Concept works to establish, equip, and connect local training centres, with the support of local stakeholders.
ITU supports DTC Senegal to train visually impaired instructors and citizens in Kolda
From 8 to 26 July 2024, Concept, the DTC in Senegal, conducted a three-week train-the-trainer programme to roll-out the course on “Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually impaired” (ICBVI) in Kolda, Senegal. With the support of ITU and the Government of Norway through the Project “Boosting Digital Skills through Digital Transformation Centres” as well as ST Foundation, the DTC was able to bring the ICBVI course into an untapped region.
The ICBVI course is designed to include a train-the-trainer component, through which Concept trained four trainers – two visually impaired instructors and two sighted facilitators -, and a citizens training component for trainers to practice the skills learned with a group of 10 (five female) visually impaired citizens from Kolda. The course focused on basic computer skills to allow learners to use the keyboard, access the Internet, write an e-mail and use basic applications for word processing or simple calculations.
Alongside the training activities, Concept undertook several outreach activities and benefited from the presence and support of local authorities (mayor’s office, local associations), which will contribute to raising awareness on the importance of digital skills training for persons with visual impairment and ensuring sustainability and scalability within the province.
Over the next few months, Concept will continue the roll-out of the ICBVI course in Ziguinchor, Guediwaye and Kolda, by conducting refresher sessions for existing trainers and cascading the training to citizens.
