‘World’s First’ Apple Training Centre for the Blind in Worcester

A one-of-a-kind modern technology hub for the visually impaired in the Western Cape

Here’s what you can do in Cape Town if you’re visually impaired. 

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Kaleidoscope (previously known as the Institute for the Blind) has launched the first-ever technology centre for the blind in Worcester, Western Cape. The blind-friendly training centre – which officially opened in June 2016 – is believed to be the first of its kind in the world and is aimed at empowering the blind and visually impaired with employability skills for the open labour market.

The hub will be equipped with modern Apple technology equipment and software – think iPhones, IPads, Mac Book Airs and Mac Minis – resulting in Kaleidoscope being the first organisation in Africa to empower the blind and partially sighted through the most recent Apple touch screen and touch type technologies.

Kaleidoscope wishes to create an environment that is accessible and affordable to all, equipping the blind and visually impaired with inexpensive tools and training that will help them better their skill set and prepare them to enter the job market and become economically active.

The centre’s training will focus on using technology for both personal (Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp) and business (email, Safari/web browsing and analytics) use where all training modules will begin with the basics of Voiceover (the Apple accessibility tool for the blind). Students will also be educated on both iOS and the latest Apple Mac operating system, and will also be exposed to the latest enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) applications. The aim is to empower and upskill at least 400 students in the first year of the centre opening.

What’s more, Kaleidoscope will also engage with the corporate sector to help and ensure the placement of those attending the training centre and will furthermore support the employee as well as the employer to ensure effective work and training placement.

Pioneer School | 20 Adderley Street | Worcester | Cape Town

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