Visually-impaired use computers like sighted persons

ROSALES, Pangasinan—SM City Rosales paves the way in giving importance to visually-impaired persons, or VIPs, by giving them equal chance to use computers like sighted persons do, through an IT software application that allows the computer to talk.

In its initial information dissemination for a software application last Dec. 7, Jersey Mendoza, SM City Rosales mall manager, said although they have an existing program for persons with disabilities (PWDs), this is however the first time this activity was undertaken for the VIPs in an SM mall.

“It’s a one- of- a- kind experience for those not (yet) knowledgeable about it,” he said.

Mendoza said caring for PWDs across all SM malls in the country is not a requirement imposed by its owner “but a responsibility.”

Some of their tenants who hire PWDs were also invited during the information dissemination drive for this IT software for VIPs for better understanding.

“They must know the rights of PWDs, even our guards are oriented about proper handling of them,” he added.

Mendoza said they would propose said project to be integrated in their programs for PWDs and possibly, a slot in Internet cafés in their malls could be allotted for this purpose or in their Global Pinoy section where desk tops are provided for one hour free internet use for their clients.

 Computers that talk

Mendoza said he learned about such software through Jennifer Garcia, a computer instructor VIP working in Area Vocational and Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Dagupan City.

“This will open up opportunities for the VIPs,” he said.

JAWS

Garcia said this screen reader software, called Job Access with Speech (Jaws) “allows the computer to talk.”

All texts in the computer that are seen by a sighted would be translated into speech, she said.

For VIPs, there would be no more need to use a mouse, or need a monitor but all they need is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a keyboard that will serve as their mouse, a speaker or audio or headset that will serve as their monitor, Garcia said.

VIPs are trained in their office as part of their courses because they have to learn parts of their computer and need to familiarize themselves about the function of each key and the shortcut keys.

Skills empowerment

“We empower them in their skills so they can use this in their employment. One of their subjects is computer literacy,” she said.

Crisanta Marcelino, 18, from Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City, a VIP who has been using this software at the AVRC said at first she used to be at a loss using the software but constant practice makes her enjoy it eventually. She said the software reads fast especially in Filipino and she could hardly recognize initially the American accent.

It took her only about three weeks to adjust to it. 

“All that can be done by a sighted person in a computer can also be done by people like me using such software except maybe in editing pictures or graphics,”Marcelino said.

She said she is now enjoying its benefits in her studies, especially in doing research work.

She said she used to envy sighted  people who enjoy the use of computers but with this application, she feels she is not left behind anymore.