Rehabilitation for The Visually Impaired in Taiwan

Taiwan has experienced the crisis of water shortage and the outbreak of the epidemic this season, and all the activities were suspended because of the rising epidemic. However, TDTB upholds the spirit of adapting to changes, looking for various methods to ensure uninterrupted services. In addition, through different modes of interaction, keep the connection with corporate volunteers. The following is the achievement of our second season.

1.Computer assistive devices teaching and psychological counseling service adjustment

In response to the escalation of the COVID-19 in Taiwan, the government has suspended the implementation of physical services to avoid crowds infection. However, the needs of the visually impaired will not disappear due to the COVID-19. Therefore, TDTB specially invites visually impaired computer teachers and psychological counselors to discuss how to solve the technical problems of the online service for the visually impaired so that our service will not be interrupted.

2.Record digital talking books for the visually impaired

Reading is the right for everyone, and the visually impaired is no exception. One of the core services of TDTB is the production of digital talking books for the visually impaired, which provides a more diversified information source for the visually impaired. This season, TDTB was commissioned by the National Taiwan Library to produce 40 digital talking books for the visually impaired. Through this project, TDTB also invites visually impaired for post-production and create more job opportunity.

3.Volunteer training

TDTB had already organized a volunteer training session to let them learn about how to guide the visually impaired and dictating video-related information before the epidemic becomes serious in Taiwan. After the epidemic heats up, TDTB has not interrupted the interaction with volunteer friends, and specially organized two activities, like used Google Meet to introduce the production methods of digital talking books and e-books then provided volunteers with the opportunity to make actual productions.

4.Provide digital talking books to rural schools

TDTB accompanied the visually impaired computer teacher went to Huayuan() Elementary School in Hsinchu(), to conduct life education for the visually impaired and digital talking books gifting activities under the sponsorship of a caring group. Allow students in the rural area to understand the visually impaired, and to expand their vision through digital talking books. Under our actives the teachers and students of the school understood the appearance of the visually impaired step by step, let the children understand the diversity of the world, and cultivate their broader minds.

5.Promotion of accessible websites

TDTB has handled 11 sessions with the promotion of accessible websites. This year, school and government units have been particularly active in applications. Before the epidemic heats up this season, we went to Hsinchu() and Miaoli() for two physical activities. After the epidemic heats up, we also conducted two online seminars. The participants include students and teachers so that more people can understand the visually impaired and accessible websites environment.

6.Transform a new interactive learning platform

Computer ability is now the key for visually impaired students to keep up with distance teaching under the influence of COVID-19 because schools began to switch to online teaching methods. To increase the ability and interest of visually impaired students in using a computer, TDTB sought the support of enterprises to add an interactive area to the original VIP digital learning platform. This season, we invited a software company to discuss the most interactive way to meet the needs of visually impaired students. Let’s look forward to the results of the next season.