Empowering Youth with Visual Impairments: Digital Skills & Employment Opportunities
Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA) is committed to empowering children and young adults with visual impairments. We focus on raising awareness of their challenges and removing the barriers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Malawi. By providing innovative digital and Braille technologies, KBTA enhances access to quality education and employment, fostering inclusive learning and working environments. Despite high costs, which make digital Braille assistive devices unaffordable for 90% of the learners, we have equipped over 3,000 students across 250 schools and colleges in Africa, with the essential tools they need to succeed as independent adults. However, significant challenges remain as over 5,000 youth still lack access to inclusive education and employment opportunities.
Navigating Beyond Sight: KBTA's Impact on Education and Inclusion
Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to enhancing the lives of visually impaired individuals across East Africa. For nearly two decades, KBTA has been at the forefront of promoting digital Braille literacy and skills. We operate across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Malawi, reaching over 3,000 learners in 250 schools and colleges. Our mission is to ensure that children and young adults with visual impairments achieve not only academic success but also social and economic inclusion through quality education and state-of-the-art assistive technology.
Unlocking Opportunities: Bridging Employment Gaps for Visually Impaired Graduates
KBTA’s ultimate goal is to enable young university graduates with visual impairments to access inclusive employment opportunities. Our employability skills training program equips these graduates with essential work readiness skills through an immersive training experience. In this program, trainees develop various skills that enhance their ability to secure mainstream employment, building on their university education. Youth with visual impairments often face significant challenges in completing their education due to a lack of digital assistive devices and limited exposure to information beyond the university environment. We provide them with the necessary digital skills, information, and training to independently seek employment and advocate effectively for themselves.
We Advocate For Children & Young Adults With Visual Impairments
Our Core Programs
-
Digital Literacy and Access: We provide visually impaired learners with the tools necessary for modern education, including the Orbit Reader 20. This program ensures that students are not only recipients of technology but also gain the skills needed to use these tools effectively for learning and communication.
-
Educational Support: KBTA enhances the capabilities of educators through targeted training on the use of assistive technology, making classrooms more inclusive. Our initiatives include developing and distributing educational materials that are accessible, ensuring that visually impaired students receive quality education tailored to their needs.
-
Career Readiness: Our Career Readiness program bridges the gap between education and employment. We offer specialized training programs that equip visually impaired graduates with essential job skills, place them in internships, and partner with inclusive employers to secure sustainable employment opportunities.
-
Research and Innovation: At the cutting edge of technological advancement, KBTA collaborates with global innovators and researchers to develop and refine assistive technologies. Our efforts focus on creating solutions that are practical, scalable, and directly responsive to the needs of the visually impaired community.
Brighten Futures: Empower Visually Impaired Youth with Orbit Readers!
The Orbit Reader 20, an affordable, versatile digital Braille device, is crucial for the education of children and young adults with visual impairments in schools and higher education. KBTA has generously donated 3000 Orbit Readers and other relevant assistive devices to visually impaired learners in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Malawi. We've also provided training to over 500 teachers and technicians who support these learners. This initiative is part of our comprehensive Education to Employment program, aimed at transforming lives and ensuring no one is left behind. Your contribution is pivotal in expanding KBTA's reach and impact to touch even more lives. Yet, the demand remains vast, and we need your support to bridge this gap. Your contribution can be transformative. Whether you choose to donate an Orbit Reader or support our mission financially, you're directly amplifying access to education and opportunities for visually impaired youth. Every donation counts and propels KBTA's mission further. Join us in building an inclusive and equitable future. Your generosity has the power to change lives, opening doors to a brighter tomorrow.
Be A Hero
Braille Assistive Technologies Provide A Foundation For Children & Young Adults With Visual Impairments To Access Education. Join KBTA in making a tangible difference in the lives of visually impaired children and youth. Your support through donations, volunteering, or forming corporate partnerships is invaluable in helping us continue our mission.
Inclusion
The Orbit Reader provides opportunities for children and young adults with visual impairments to achieve social and economic inclusion in society.
Education
Children and young adults with visual impairments have higher chances to live a life of quality with independence, dignity and job opportunities.
Innovation
The Orbit Reader 20 levels the playing field for children and young adult with visual impairments making it easy for them to learn alongside their sighted peers .
Research
KBTA advances digital assistive technology through its LIVE LAB model, which focuses on human-centered testing to enhance education and employment support
Employment
Inclusive employment opportunities for youth with disabilities can only be accessed with proper post education integration & skills development in order to gain employment.
Training
KBTA uses training to developed an innovative model for training users, teachers, technicians as well as youth for learning STEM subjects, ICT & digital skills, robotics.
You Can Help
Your support is important to our work at Kilimanjaro Blind Trust. There are many ways you can contribute towards our causes, and every little bit that you commit goes a long way in helping us fulfill our mission. We invite you to get involved and take advantage of the opportunity to do some good for learners with visual impairments in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Make An Impact
We greatly value your generosity and engagement with our organization. Every contribution you make enhances Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, making it an even stronger non-profit organization. If you have any questions regarding how you can support us, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to provide you with relevant information.
Help Us Soar
This is one of the simplest ways to help out our cause. We believe the best way for our initiatives to be successful is for the community to actively get involved. This is an easy and efficient way of contributing to the great work we do at Kilimanjaro Blind Trust. Get in touch with any questions about how you can Volunteer Your Time today.
Show Your Support
Want to join our efforts but not sure where to start? Make a Donation and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to lend your support. It’s a great way to contribute to our cause, and every little bit counts towards paving the path for a better tomorrow. Get in touch with us today for more details about how you can help.