COMPUTER, A WINDOW TO DARPAN’S WORLD

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
                                                                 - Helen Keller

Education is vital to lasting positive change in children's lives. Yet for millions of children and youth in developing countries, education is beyond reach. Especially for those children who are visually impaired. Although many school programs provide the specialized instruction needed by students who are visually impaired, there is much room for improvement. Too many visually impaired students leave school without having mastered the skills or knowledge essential for further education, gainful employment, and independent living at home and in their communities.

Darpan Inani is a little boy studying in class 6 in a school at Baroda. He is just like other children in the world; the only difference is that he is cheated of the rich beauty the world has to give. Yes! He is a visually impaired child who cannot enjoy and admire the value of life.

Since his childhood, he had no close friends as he could not run around or play sport like the other children. He was hardly ever picked for any sports or games played by his peer groups. It was distressing for him as no other child ever came to his house and he was never invited by other children to their houses.. He had been struggling on his own for a long time and found barriers everywhere. Life was stressful, a battlefield to have to get through everyday His parents felt that he was a child at first, blind child next .So, he should be given an opportunity to interact with other children and get some educational experiences from the school.

Education for All, the motto of UN is religiously followed by Baroda High School at Alkapuri.The headmistress, Ms. Promila Zalpuri recalls, “We were approached by Darpan’s parents for his admission in our school. The school took up the challenge of teaching a physically impaired child.” The Eight years old boy Darpan was admitted in class 3. The headmistress was well aware that blindness is a low incidence disability. With a good education, blind children can become productive, self-supporting adults. Without it, they cannot.

Imparting education to a visually impaired child is not simply placing a child in a regular classroom. The child needs assistance. Blind children can easily assimilate more than 80% of teaching and experience in the regular classroom if they are provided with the correct material in the correct form at the correct time. Therefore, development of the right educational environment will make the education of blind children a reality. At this point of time, the teachers of this school were trained by Intel® Teach Program for the next academic session 2002 – 03.

The school embraced the technology in no time and started integrating into their curriculum. This training program had led the teachers to the conclusion that all children grow, flourish, and achieve greater self and social fulfillment by being nurtured in a conducive and contributive environment. Teachers adopted the techniques and integrated the same in all the subjects, which added more value to their teaching. The teachers who taught him had a simple common aim - that was to continue helping Darpan by providing him the same opportunities and educational experiences as provided for sighted children.

According to the teachers, Darpan was an enthusiastic and brilliant boy. He listened attentively in the class and did most of his work by typing in the computer. If he missed out some portions, he borrowed books from other children and his mother helped him in completing the course. Advances in technology provided an opportunity to communicate and learn more efficiently and effectively. A magnificent software was provided in his computer, which repeated the answers with all punctuation marks. This enabled Darpan to become an independent boy. He learn t and revised his lessons without anyone’s assistance. Learning new skills helped to increase his confidence.

When he reached class 5, the school provided a computer for each class. Software “Jaws” was installed in the class computer, which was a boon for Darpan. Earlier, a helper was provided to write all the answers spoken by Darpan during the examinations. Now, the teachers dictate the questions and he types all his answers with the help of special key board provided by the school. Teachers take out the print outs and evaluate his answer sheets., Darpan stood first in class 4 and class 5 due to his hardwork and commitment.

Most of the time, people’s lives have been touched and changed by various means which come in different forms. In Darpan’s life, it had come in the form of technology and teachers. Ms.Promila, the Headmistress remarked, “Technology is helping Darpan to learn effectively. Various softwares like “Jaws,” specially designed for visually impaired learner helped him to achieve what he wanted to achieve.” Now, he is more readily accepted socially by his sighted counterparts.

With proper technical assistance, consultation given by regular classroom teachers, and a broad educational environment, Darpan was able to show his true worth. He had learned to face the challenges. He accomplished all these by high level of adaptability and determination. Darpan‘s dream is to become a Computer Engineer or Grand Slam Chess Player. Teachers of Baroda High School help him grow and give him every opportunity to fulfill his dreams and ambitions by continuing their support. They will live always be in the depths of his memory.

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