Virtual Training - An innovative step by LRC Pakistan
Life keeps on changing with the passage of time. Sometimes dependency of disabled people can be brought down so much that there is hardly any difference left between the disabled and the non disabled. Cyber world has shown new horizons to disabled people. Broadband connections, handheld devices with accessible software, cell phones and computers have introduced new horizons to disabled people and today there is a completely new group of disabled people in Pakistan called the techno group. This group is very well versed with the software and developments in assistive technology.
This happened due to an innovative initiative by the Livelihood Resource Centre (LRC) in Pakistan which is virtual training programs in web based technology using mechanisms like Skype, an online chatting software. Disabled people in Pakistan are using this technology widely to learn from each other. To formalise the process, Livelihood Resource Center (LRC) used this new mechanism to enhance the learning of PWDs through knowledge sharing techniques. In January 2010, 10 PWDs were offered Pakistan's first skype based training on web development. This 7 weeks training programme ended after developing 5 web designers. As part of the course the participants had to launch their own websites on free web as assignment. The following are some of the websites that were developed and launched. Though they don't seem very professional one gets a good idea about the effectiveness of the virtual course.
http://www.islamic-zone.webs.com
This training was funded by LRC Pakistan training programme.
In the month of March 2010 two parallel programs were launched on sound production and advertisement designing. One of them was at the LRC centre but the second one was through Skype. 5 disabled people participated in the training through Skype while 9 participants attended the course at LRC Pakistan centre.
The trained members are prepared to work in radio channels or advertisement agencies. They are skilled in editing and mixing of sounds, making of commercial advertisements, documentaries and audio magazines. This 4 weeks program prepared 14 dynamic young disabled people who submitted individual projects in the form of radio shows, short advertisements, promos, comedy and musical programmes and stories with sound effects. The online group of 5 participants launched their own web radio channel called “Sab ka Sath” (Together with All) where disabled are doing regular musical, informational and poetry related shows 24/7. The radio can be accessed through following link http://s5.myradiostream.com/22362.htm The radio also hosts a movie segment daily from 7 pm to 10PM. Many disabled people are getting an opportunity to conduct regular shows to polish their communication skills.
Currently, LRC Pakistan is hosting training in “JAWS SCRIPTING” (an art to make software accessible). The aim of this training is to equip disabled people with the skill to learn art of scripting to make corporate softwares accessible to disabled people. This will help in minimising barriers while working in a corporate. This 4 weeks programme is training 7 disabled people across Pakistan.
These pilot activities have shown feasibility of launching more productive, job oriented and skill based online training programs incurring minimum cost and giving maximum benefits. LRC Pakistan's virtual training programs have encouraged individuals with different disabilities to independently launch skype based trainings which is acting not only as a source of learning but also earning at the same time.
“Employment is empowerment”
Contributed by: Project Manager, LRC Pakistan
