It was indeed a "rare" invitation. Out of sheer curiosity I agreed to become a judge in a class of visually impaired students who will present their Powerpoint creations.
At the center for Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) based in E.Rodriguez Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City, Tony Llanes and his team are doing a fantastic job in teaching seven wonderfully energetic individuals in creating Powerpoint presentations guided by a text-to-speech and screen reader software.
The presentations were well-organized and are much like those we see at work - I just can't believe I am looking at the work of these people! These students rely on the help of a screen reader software which reads and announces the presentation title, the command, the slide number and the beginning sentences of each slide. Now what excuse do we have for not making prezos with animation and the whole shebang?
A guitarist in her home church, Maricar presented the top reasons why tourists should visit Puerto Galera in Mindoro.
Projecting herself like a TV cook show host, Theresa is a wife and mom who presented her very own Coffee Crumble Tiramisu recipe.
Her presentation is enough to convince me to visit Mt. Pinatubo and have a mud facial. Emerita is a former educator in Saint Louis University in Baguio City. She began to suffer from low vision four years ago. Notwithstanding the setback, Emerita hopes to make comeback in the academe through the help of ATRIEV.
Though shy and jittery, young Flordeliza overcame her stage fright and still managed to inspire her audience with her presentation on "Life Without Limbs" which feature the sought-after inspirational Australian coach Nick Vujicic.
He just loves basketball. This big, energetic young man Patrick shared the history of basketball and how to play the game. Love the costume too! :)
My co-judge Sam Jacoba - a business consultant, songwriter/producer and former Business Development Manager at Microsoft Philippines - giving his insightful critique to the students.
Too bad I didn't get the picture of the other two, so I am posting the class picture we took before we wrapped up.
Me receiving my own certificate and gift from ATRIEV founder Tony Llanes and ATRIEV chief of operations Carol Catacutan. Tony was the sole blind awardee of the “Go Negosyo Most Inspiring PWDs for 2007” given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, while Carol is a UP Mass Communications cum laude, a screenplay writer, and resource person for conferences here and abroad. Both of them are visually impaired too.
Founded in 1997, ATRIEV's main thrust is to provide computer literacy training for visually impaired persons and professionals dealing with visual impairment. Its training programs include PC operations with access technology which means the hardware and software are all blind-friendly, trainors’ training on the use of screen reader in open source platforms, transcription training, one-on-one tutorial, English language communication, software and hardware support and troubleshooting related to the use of screen reader software, disability awareness briefings and sensitivity workshops, computer skills demonstrations and transcription services.
Thanks to my good colleague Richard Burgos, I have had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful team and students of ATRIEV. I am grateful and inspired.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Help support ATRIEV and help the blind take advantage of the wonders of information communications technology and use it to get employed and become productive individuals.
ATRIEV Computer School for the Blind
2nd Floor, 1680 E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Barangay Immaculate Concepcion, Cubao, Quezon City
E-mail address: atriev.inc@gmail.com
Telephone number: +63.2.431.9257
Telefax number: +63.2.725.4191
After you see the light, it's natural to share it with others. Thanks for sharing your experience with ATRIEV!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks to you Richard! I sure hope this shine the light on other helpful hearts too. :)
ReplyDelete