The Inclusive Digital Access Project, a significant initiative in our quest for inclusive education, is a beacon of hope for all children, regardless of their disabilities.
What would happen if all children had access to quality education regardless of their disabilities? While we focus on working hard for education, this is a question we cannot ignore. However, there comes a time when we realize we are unprepared to take on such a challenge as a country. But, while unique technology is available, what can we do for these children? Will they remain abandoned, with no hope of changing their fate? Of course not. Together, we can make a difference!
STATISTICS
The department of Intibucá has a preliminary enrollment of 58,686 children, of whom 3,000 live with special needs. In some cases, these needs include mobility issues that make it difficult for them to go to school, as not all of them have wheelchairs or the roads are not appropriate for them to walk. Likewise, some children speak but don't hear, and vice versa. We believe that for these children, there is hope that they can exceptionally change lives. On the other hand, there is a group of children who live with a more complex condition to address: cerebral palsy. We do not yet have the tools to address these different needs fully, but we can begin with mild cases.
We are delighted to announce that in collaboration with the Departmental of Education and our great donors, we have launched the 'Inclusive Digital Access' program . This program is structured to provide accessible technological tools, such as tablets with the Kolibri platform, to students with disabilities. These tools will facilitate their access to education, information, and digital communication. The program also includes training for teachers and parents on how to effectively use these tools to support the children's learning.
Student Selection
This process is complicated, as we want enough tablets for all children with these special conditions. However, we must select 52 children for the pilot. The selection process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner, considering the severity of the condition, the potential impact of the program on the child's education, and the family's socio-economic status. Here are the details of the quantity of children and their conditions.
In the picture, one of our desable kids program beneficiary. She is seven years old and has never gone to school due to their dificulty to walk.
PROJECT DELIVERY
On March 14th, a day filled with joy and hope, we delivered the Inclusive Digital Access Project to the Departmental Education Directorate, bringing a new ray of hope to these 52 families. The happiness and hope in the children, their parents, and teachers were palpable. It was a profound moment, knowing that from that day forward, these children's lives would be significantly different, thanks to the Inclusive Digital Access Project.
Pictured, Departamental autorities, students, and teachers receiving the tablets.
To our valued donors, thank you so much for investing in these children's future. Without your help, none of this would be possible!
