ABOUT ATRIEV

A. History

Established in 1994 by a group of blind computer enthusiasts, Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) is a not-for-profit organization that specializes on information and communications technology training programs for visually-impaired persons. It is the only IT-based school for the blind that facilitates access to post-secondary education, mainstream employment, and similar opportunities through the use of adaptive technology in the country.

In 1999, the organization pioneered and institutionalized its core project called the Adaptive Technology Training, Resource, and Access Center (Project ATTRAC). Project ATTRAC is a computer literacy program complemented by social marketing, technical support, and other related projects and activities. Initially, the project was designed for Metro Manila residents only. In 2004, ATRIEV started training programs for trainers of visually impaired persons that include special education teachers, rehabilitation workers, university IT instructors and parents of blind children. In 2007, it has started offering its training programs to blind and visually impaired college students from other provinces.

At present, ATRIEV has directly and indirectly trained over 400 young blind adults and have introduced more than 100 blind grade school kids to information technology. Over 100 special Education teachers, rehabilitation workers, university instructors and parents of blind children have also benefited from the trainers’ training programs of the organization.

Consisting of nine members of the Board of Trustees from various business groups, nine full-time employees and other part-time volunteers, ATRIEV has held two major conference workshops on information technology for the visually impaired in 1996 and 2002. It has also contributed to the conduct of computer-based government examinations for blind examinees (civil service examination in 1999, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s scholarship examination since 2001 and TESDA Assessment Exam for blind trainers in 2008). The organization has likewise been awarded several awards and has been appointed as consultant for various projects nationwide. It has established strong partnerships4 with government agencies, non-government organizations and private business enterprises in carrying out its mission.

B. Vision-Mission

ATRIEV’s vision is “to be the leader in Information Communications Technology (ICT) education producing socially-responsible, technically-competent and employable blind and visually impaired persons through a network of committed government organizations (GOs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and private business sector in a barrier free society.”.

ATRIEV’s mission is “To use and promote assistive technology to facilitate the rehabilitation, integration, and empowerment of the visually impaired sector in the country, to capitalize on the unique skills and continue to harness the strengths of each employee, and to continuously strive to become a sustainable organization.”

C. Main Thrusts

Skills development program through computer literacy training and related specialized training programs for visually impaired persons and for professionals dealing with visual impairment
Job placement through employers’ education/sensitization and job matching
Technical assistance to persons with visual impairment for equal access to Information Technology through the use of adaptive hardware/software
Provision of adaptive technology through a systematic partnership with educational institutions, private businesses, local government units and specialized interest groups

D. Training Programs and Other Services

For a minimal fee, ATRIEV offers regular training courses and special tutorials for blind and visually impaired persons and for people working with/for persons with visual impairment. Training programs include:

PC Operations with Access Technology
Training of Trainers in Access Technology for the Visually Impaired
Trainors’ training on the use of a Screen Reader in Open source Platforms
Transcription training
One-on-one tutorial
English Language Communication (ELC)
Software and hardware support and troubleshooting related to the use of screen reader software
Disability awareness briefings and sensitivity workshops
Computer skills demonstrations
Transcription services

E. Board of Trustees and Staff

The Board of Trustees is composed of five (5) members and is presided over by the Chairman. As its policy-making body, the Board sets the direction to be taken by the organization. The current members of the Board are:

Counselor Bernardito Ang, Chairman/President;
Ms. Evelyn Caja, Corporate Secretary;
Mr. Romeo Sayson II, Treasurer;
Mr. Rodrigo Raña, Trustee; and
Rhea Althea Guntalilib, Trustee.

The ATRIEV Staff is composed of five regular members who are either totally blind and low vision:

Carolina “Carol” C. Catacutan, (totally blind)
Antonio “Tony” D. Llanes Jr., (totally blind)
Lourdes “Desse” B. Borgonia, (totally blind)
Jonathan “Jon” Y. Palmero, (low vision)
Rene “Wanny” B. Orense, (low vision)
Other part-time staff and volunteers

F. Major Milestones and Achievements

Held two major conference workshops on information technology for the visually impaired (1996 and 2002)
Assisted in the conduct of computer-based government examinations for blind examinees (civil service examination in 1999, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s scholarship examinations since 2001) and TESDA Assessment Exam (PC Operation NC II) for blind trainers in 2008
Received TESDA’s Kabalikat Award for Institutions in 2001
Technical consultant in the conduct of computer skills competitions for the visually impaired from 2002 to 2005
Appointed by World Bank Office Manila as consultant in its “Accessible Information for Disabled Persons Project” for all the Knowledge for Development Centers (KDCs) nationwide
Received the “Disabled-Friendly Website Recognition” award conferred by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) in 2005
Received the top award for the Philippines only in the 2006 ADOC competition conferred by the APEC Digital Opportunity Center led by Chinese Taipei for “Bridging the Digital Divide” category
Awarded as the grand prize winner of the Samsung Digital Hope competition in 2006 and again won the Samsung Hope Competition in 2009
Awarded by the Philippine Center For Entrepreneurship for the achievement of ATRIEV’s President, Antonio Llanes Jr., as one of the “Go Negosyo Most Inspiring PWDs” in 2007
Awarded by RFM Corporation the “Yes! The Filipino Can” award to Antonio D. Llanes jr. for his significant contribution in changing the lives of the visually impaired Filipino and making life better through the use of technology
Conducted two major fund raising concerts entitled “when You Believe” in 2006 and “Stand by Me” in 2008 showcasing mainstream concert artists back-to-back with ATRIEV’s very own blind performing artists
Trained and hired Lourdes Borgonia, the first totally blind CICT awarded Webmaster in the Philippines
Trained and Assisted in the employment of Ma. Criselda Bisda, the first blind recruitment specialist in TeleTech, the leader in customer management solutions
Trained Julius Charles Serrano, the first totally blind screen reader scripting specialist and digital talking book software production specialist in the Philippines
Trained Alona Bateg, the first totally blind female medical transcriptionist in the Philippines who has no medical background
Trained Marx Vergel Melencio, the 2nd totally blind Go Negosyo Awardee for establishing and managing Grayscale Consultancy Services, a company that specializes in web content writing
Partnered with Gallop IT Solutions, a transcription company, for the provision of employment to qualified blind transcriptionists

G. Organizational Partners of ATRIEV

ATRIEV plans and implements its programs in coordination and in cooperation with concerned government agencies and offices, and with private and non-profit organizations, especially those with programs for persons with disability, including:

Overbrook-Nippon Network on Educational Technology (ON-NET)
Christoffel BlindenMission/Christian Blind Mission (CBM)
Technical Education and Skills Development authority (TESDA)
Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)
European IT Service center (EITSC)
APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC)
World Bank Office Manila/Knowledge for Development Center (KDC)
IBM Philippines
Asia Pacific College
Liliane Foundation Philippines
Informatics College (Diliman)
Rotary Club of Paco
AMA Computer Learning Center
Kapient Philippines
Gallop IT Solutions
Power Speak Philippines
Bluepoint foundation Institute
Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG)
Office of Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Quezon City
Bagong Henerasyon Foundation/E-Care Center
Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC)
Resources for the Blind (RBI)
Office of Hon. Bernardito Ang, Secretary to the Vice Mayor, City of Manila
Microsoft Philippines