Information Made Accessible to Persons with Visual Impairments

The project Information Made Accessible to Persons with Visual Impairments (IMAPVI), implemented by CUAPWD with funds from the Liliane Foundation through the EDID Program, seeks to improve access to didactic materials, other educative literature, rights-based literature, as well as general information on community life. This project was conceived on the background of individual testimonies from persons with visual impairments, as well as joint research, carried out by the EDID program and CUAPWD, which revealed that one key setback that slows down the participation and performance of learners with visual impairments at all levels remains difficult access to didactic material, hence rendering the teaching-learning process very challenging.
The solution to this problem, as presented in the project concept to the EDID Program, was highly appreciated, resulting in Liliane Fonds supporting the project to a heavily saluted 85%, while CUAPWD took care of the rest.

LESSONS LEARNED
1. Some of the Textbooks earmarked to be produced in accessible formats had been converted to audio formats by other projects and we needed to rethink, how best to go about the other. The project went to full force almost at the end of an academic year, and there is need to consider producing material, that shall be helpful to learners in the next academic year, given that some of these texts sometimes are replaced with new ones or new editions.
2. The embossing software is no longer purchased as part of the embosser itself, but as a separate component with a separate cost. We are currently exploring other sources to cover this cost.
3. The cost of the embosser alone takes almost 60% of the entire project sum, and we had no choice than starting with just the audio service. When funds are made available, the embosser shall be acquired and every other activity tied to the availability of the embosser shall equally be carried out.

APPRECIATION
CUAPWD remains grateful to the EDID Program for the strong support towards this project, which is a foundation of a bigger idea in the future. We equally appreciate stakeholders of the book sector who have so far been very collaborative to the project idea and are ready to do more. We are thankful to the entire staff of CUAPWD who have spared no effort in making sure that the project activities are realised, given that it is an addition to their workload with no extra renumeration.
CONCLUSION
The project has been met with resounding applause from the community, with learners with visual impairments at the University of Bamenda already benefiting from the audio service. The production and dissemination of key educational resources, in accessible formats have been instrumental in their education life. This positive feedback from learners with visual impairments further underscores the project’s significant contribution to their journey in education.
Furthermore, the project’s focus on providing access to information on rights and community life empowers individuals with visual impairments to understand and advocate for their rights. This, in turn, will surely lead to greater participation and inclusion in community and national life.
Given the positive feedback received and the extensive network of CUAPWD, the project team is actively exploring opportunities to expand its scope and reach learners with visual impairments in other regions of Cameroon. This expansion has the potential to create a significant and lasting impact on the lives of persons with visual impairments across the country.
While challenges remain, the project’s adaptability and resourcefulness are encouraging through lessons learned from this initial phase which will undoubtedly inform the project’s future direction and ensure its continued success.