This blog was originally posted by All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) on August 23, 2021.

In Rwanda, eKitabu’s UnrestrICTed Challenge project — to increase the use of accessible ICT and widen access to accessible digital books for children with disabilities, as an awardee of ACR GCD’s UnrestrICTed Challenge — found success in its virtual training with publishers. Because they were mainly in Kigali, the capital, the publishers had access to devices, the internet, and power as they learned how to use open standards for accessibility, open source tools, and new production skills.[su_spacer]“In contrast, our pilot training with teachers and librarians presented challenges due to their limited skills in using technology, poor internet connectivity, and low electricity” in more rural areas, said Yvette Iyadede, eKitabu senior manager in Rwanda. [su_spacer]

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased and schools are gradually opening in Rwanda, eKitabu has pivoted to a hybrid training approach, beginning with in-person sessions with librarians and teachers in their home communities. It incorporated training sessions on how to use the information and communications technologies so that teachers and librarians can apply these skills both in training and in the classroom. The accessible content eKitabu provides during the training can also be downloaded and used offline.

[su_spacer] [su_spacer]Read the full article on the ACR blog Here