Dolphin Guide from Dolphin – Make computers easy to use
Dolphin Guide Case Study: Dolphin Guide making a real difference in GambiaExtreme poverty and restricted access to medical care are the main causes of eye-related diseases and sight loss in developing countries. According to research conducted by the World Health Organisation, low and middle-income countries are home to around 90% of the world's blind and visually-impaired population. Furthermore, at least 80% of these cases could be prevented by simple surgical procedures or improved access to medicines. The leading cause of blindness in developing countries is cataracts - an eye-disease that in the UK is easily-treated with inexpensive surgery. However, in the developing world, only 20% of those who need this operation can actually afford it. In an attempt to work towards the prevention of blindness in developing countries, the WHO founded 'Vision 2020: The Right to Sight', a Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness. The main objective of the initiative is to assist developing countries with the prevention and elimination of the main causes of avoidable blindness by the year 2020. The initiative is worldwide, and in 2005, covered most of the developing countries in Asia and Africa. One of the countries which has benefited from the support of the Vision 2020 campaign is Gambia - Africa's smallest country. And the results have been astonishing: since 1999 there has already been a 40% reduction in the prevalence of blindness. Having one of the most forward-thinking policies for the blind on the continent, Gambia has recognised the importance of preventing blindness and has established, many projects aimed at reducing the number of eye-related illnesses. The most successful of all, the National Eye Care Programme, developed and implemented a series of initiatives, with the emphasis on raising awareness about eye-related diseases, giving information about treatments available, the establishment of eye-care units and the implementation of technology. Some of the NECP's projects have included: making eye-care affordable; building and equipping eye-care centres; organising training form paramedics to treat eye infections and diseases; and recycling old spectacles and computer equipment. In addition, the introduction of new computer technology for the blind and visually impaired, combined with the enthusiasm of Gambia's citizens, has made a big difference in helping people suffering from eye-related disease to enjoy a better quality of life. One such initiative was the opening of a free Internet Café for the blind and visually-impaired in Gambia - the first in Africa. The project was founded by the Kingfisher Trust- a charity whose aim is to help improve the quality of life for people in Gambia by providing skills-training, supplying medical equipment for hospitals, building schools and skills centres, and recycling computers among other activities. The Internet Café is equipped with four computer stations, each of them running the award-wining Dolphin Guide Software. Simon Wezel, the founder of the Kingfisher Trust, first noticed Dolphin Guide software in 2005 when he purchased a copy for a friend of his who is blind. As Simon explains, after giving him the software "What happened was unbelievable: within two hours he was typing a document and even sending an email for the first time in his life" "Dolphin Guide has proven to be both very popular and well-received. 'The Dolphin Guide program from Software Express is really marvellous - and very reasonable' says Simon. Over 30 students, of whom the majority are completely blind, come to the Caféand use Dolphin Guide on a regular basis. They are now achieving great things and improving their chances of future employment." The Trust's Caféalso offers training sessions on Dolphin Guide software for any-one interested. Adrian Sach, Lead developer for Dolphin Guide, comments: "We are delighted to hear that our Dolphin Guide software has been found to be such an invaluable resource to the Trust's Internet Café in Gambia. We hope that, as the Kingfisher Trust expands, more and more blind and visually-impaired users will be able to regain some of their independence, and thereby improve the quality of their life, using Dolphin Guide". |