| Special
children shed inhibitions at the Complex for Special
Education, Quetta |
May
17, 2001 |
Someone
surfing online does not bare his physical limitations to
the world in any way. He is just one of millions searching
for knowledge and learning in the wired world. Keeping this
principle in mind, SDNP's Quetta team conducted a training
workshop on "The use of Internet and Email" on
May 17th 2001, for physically challenged children
and their teachers at the Complex for Special Education,
Quetta. This is an institute where education is given to
physically challenged, deaf, dumb and mentally retarded
children. There were 45 participants, among whom there were
10 deaf and dumb children, 18 physically challenged children
and 17 teachers.
This
was the first workshop of its kind in Quetta city for special
children which effectively conveyed the modern technology
of the 21st century to the students.
Ms.
Nazi Side began the workshop by explaining how training
in Internet and Email technologies would prove beneficial
for the target audience, and the difference they would make
in their repertoire of communications. Mr. Jan Muhammad
highlighted IUCN/SDNP's role in promoting ICT's for development,
their information and capacity building initiatives.
Ms
Zarin Syed used an animated PowerPoint presentation which
greatly helped the eager participants in understanding the
concepts of Internet and Email. Comprehensive information
was provided about the background, structure, and mechanics
involved. She proceeded in step-by-step fashion in Urdu
as well as in English, since neither the children nor the
teachers were well-versed with computers. A poignant moment
was witnessed during the course of the workshop, when Murtaza,
one of the deaf students, took part in explaining the presentation
in sign language to his deaf classmates.
The
hands-on session was specifically designed catering to the
children's needs. Mr. Jan Muhammad demonstrated the process
of connecting to the web, using email, browsing different
sites like IUCN's 'education' site and specially the kids
corner link, news sites, use of search engines, and especially
the "Yahooligans for kids" section. It was rewarding
enough to see that the children were simply spellbound during
their online journey to explore the world. They felt no
inhibitions because their physical disabilities had no part
to play while they were exploring the Internet or communicating
via email. Answering the curious queries of the participants
ended the second session.
This
workshop was highly appreciated by the Principal of the
Complex for Special Education, Mr. Rahim Baloch. He hoped
that SDNP would continue to provide further training workshops
to his students and faculty in the future.
