Mission Statement:
To encourage the blind and visually impaired people in The Gambia to communicate via the Internet, thus obtaining friendship, education and special interest information from all parts of the world.
Description:
To provide free computer education to blind/low-vision community (members only)
it’s ability, not disability, that counts
Project Aims and Objectives:
The Computer Training Program is operated to
provide computer skills and IT education to a number of blind/low-vision students
establish accessible computer rooms;
produce material for distance computer training;
establish and develop an ICT network.

Vision – objectives – goals:
The project wants to reduce the digital divide and provide education and learning tools in digital format not available for the blind/low-vision students on paper, support such as school books newspapers and reading material. We are creating a generation of blind computer users at different level nationwide. By establishing accessible computer facilities we also intend to provide a community place to acquire computer skills and share information and know-how. We also established the core of a Network of accessible computer points.

Type of project organisation:
The Computer Training Program is promoted and coordinated by Kingfisher Trust. The training takes place at the Computer Centre and in other locations equipped with accessible computer rooms. Technology and resources are provided by grants and donors or acquired by the local partners. Equipment is owned by the individual organizations involved in the program.
We specialize in computer training and access to information and learning material for the blind and visually impaired computer users. The method can be applied easily in any situation where it is possible to access Internet. The first step is to provide computer training to a number of blind living in different locations so that they can manage the local computer and network facilities and be local trainers.
A blind-to-blind teaching approach is the best educational approach. understood by the user) and/or software that can speak and read the local language and set of characters. A Braille Display is an expensive alternative. Once you have the first group of trainers (and the equipment) then other blind users can be trained locally.

Future – expected development:
A nationwide computer Network with blind friendly access points from where the blind can access material stored in the network servers or on the Internet. Full availability of school books in digital format for the blind and the visually impaired.

Why The Gambia:
Requirements for technology ongoing
Growing commercial and business sector
Peaceful, consistent leadership for over 10 years and stable
People resourceful and willing to learn