Using innovative technologies for teachers to create and translate print/braille learning materials and for children who are blind/low vision to learn braille.
Project Name
Literacy for Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs)
Location Implemented
Lesotho
Technology Used
Assistive Technology
Competition Entered
Grant Competition 2014
Reading Skill Targeted
Foundational, Pre-Reading
Status
Winner
Collaborators/Partners
The Challenge
A 2010 Education Statistics Report released by the Lesotho Ministry of Education and Training revealed that about 5.3% of the national primary school population are blind/low vision. Teachers of these students expressed extreme difficulty in accessing braille materials adapted from the national curriculum to meet the needs of their students.
The Big Idea
The Literacy for VIPs program provided training and braille technology to teachers to assist their instruction of students who are blind/low vision. The Mountbatten Pro Brailler (MB Pro) provides the ability to translate from braille to print and print to braille, assisting teachers who may not be literate in braille. The Jot-a-Dot portable brailler allows young learners a speedy, portable method for learning braille.
Results
35 students with potential expansion to students who are blind/low vision in all mainstream schools in Lesotho
Blogs and Media
Research and Resources
Supporting Technology-Based Innovations to Improve Early Grade Reading Outcomes for Students Who Have Low Vision or are Blind
A summary report on the impact and potential for scale of three ACR GCD-funded projects focused on improving reading outcomes of students who have low vision or are blind.Catholic Relief Services Evaluation Report
A baseline early grade reading assessment of students participating in the ACR GCD-funded "GraphoGame Teacher Training Service" project in Zambia.Catholic Relief Services / Stu Letsatsi-Kojoana
ACR GCD-funded innovator Catholic Relief Services shares their innovation to use modern Braille technologies to deliver and improve reading for children who are blind/low vision in Lesotho.Catholic Relief Services Baseline Report
A baseline early grade reading assessment of students participating in the ACR GCD-funded "Lesotho Literacy for Young Visually Impaired Persons" project in Lesotho.
Connect with the Innovator
Website
http://www.crsprogramquality.org/Organization Type
Non Profit
Headquarters
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
