DILI, 26 july 2021 (TATOLI) – The Association of Blind Timor-Leste, (AHDMTL), today, launched a 12-training for seven teachers with vision impairment to improve their skills in Teaching Braille Letters to the students with vision impairments at AHDMTL.
“This training is to prepare them with good skills on Teaching Braille Letters, as we know many people with vision impairments are still waiting for their presence. Therefore, today, we are launching this particular training for these seven ‘Braille Letters’ teachers. Through this training, they will be ready by the time when the Ministry of Education wants to use them, the Executive Director of AHDMTL, Gaspar Afonso, told TATOLI, at AHMDTL’s office in Dili, today.
Afonso said the teachers had been teaching students with vision impairments at AHDMTL for a while, saying the training would increase their knowledge by learning and exploring more knowledge and skills on Braille Letters.
Afonso said the training was realized due to the financial support of US$3.710 given by the UNICEF: “Apart from the financial support, we also receive related materials or equipment to facilitate these teachers to level up their knowledge and skills on teaching Braille Letters to our students here at AHDMTL.”
On the other hand, UNICEF Education officer, Vicente Teotomo Lopes said there are various supports provided by UNICEF to AHMDTL, namely training for teachers, conducting surveys on disabilities in rural areas that need specific assistance, etc.
He said the survey will cover three municipalities, namely Ermera, Liquica, and Bobonaro.
“UNICEF also had supported AHMDTL with the infrastructure to build training centers and housing,” said Lopes.
Afonso said after the 12-days training, the teachers will be able and ready to teach the AHMDTL’s students with vision impairments, and also people with the same condition in the municipalities.
Currently, AHDMTL has 30 students with vision impairments at the AHDMTL center who will be learning the Braille Letters with the seven teachers.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
