ATRIEV: Conquering the blind side

MANILA, Philippines - In this digital age, a prime requirement among job seekers — and even in most people’s lives — is computer literacy. Advancements in technology may be overwhelming to some, while others took it and embraced it.

The good thing is, with technology going leaps and bounds, its benefits are not only for those who are physically able but also for the disadvantaged ones such as the blind.

Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) is one of those institutions that use modern technology, and teaches the blind using the same technologies to help them enrich their lives in these modern times and conquer their “blind side,” so to speak.

ATRIEV boasts of being the only school for the blind in the Philippines that specializes in providing access to computers and information technology for the visually impaired in order for them to rise above their physical handicap.

Since its inception in 1994, ATRIEV has taught over 500 blind and low vision individuals on how to use computers, and still continues to train and teach hundreds of the visually impaired to be more productive citizens.

Among the programs that ATRIEV conducts include year-round basic computer literacy training for the totally blind and low vision children, students and adults. The trainings are meant to provide them access to computer-based information and help them be more competitive at school or at work.

ATRIEV also provide training for trainers like parents of blind children, special education teachers, and rehabilitations specialists. These trainers passed qualifying examinations conducted by regulatory institutions and are constantly improving their proficiency by attending seminars here and abroad.

One of the founding members, Antonio Llanes Jr., thought of putting up a school for the blind that would teach them how to use a computer, and this was a time when using a computer for the blind was still unimaginable.

Llanes works as ATRIEV executive director and is in charge of running the core programs of ATRIEV mainly on keeping up-to-date with the technology for the sighted and adopting this for the blind.

As one of the founders of ATRIEV, Tony recalls the thing that motivated him to work for the blind. He wanted to get them out of the streets. He envisions that there will come a time when there will be no more blind people on the streets begging for money. “I have to be part in making that vision translated into reality,” he said.

It has always been his pleasure to make things work and see their former trainees make it out in the world, and be successful despite their handicap being blind.

In the end, Llanes, now in his golden years, is looking at succession to help him continue his work and his vision for ATRIEV. “I want to train someone to take my place,” he says, as he continues to develop the next generation of ATRIEV leaders who will conquer the blind side even further with advancements in technology.

“We must do it, we have to do it and we can do it,” he says.

The ATRIEV Computer School for the Blind is located at the 2/F, 1680 E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City. For more information, call 725-4191 or e-mail at [email protected].