NEWS AND EVENTS

ATRIEV TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR 2010

Enrollment: On-going

ATRIEV, a computer school for the blind and visually impaired, announces the conduct of its computer training course for 2010. PC Operations with Access Technology (PCOAT) and English Language Communications (ELC).

PC Operations with Access Technology (PCOAT) provides basic computer literacy, especially in the use of a screen reader / magnification software in tandem with common Microsoft Office applications, instant messaging, and basic trouble shooting. The course also includes competencies in work ethics and quality standards.

Who can join?

Must be visually impaired
Must have completed high school, or two years of college or a graduate of a technical/vocational course
Must be highly motivated and willing to learn
Must pass our qualifying requirements

English Language Communications(ELC) course covers workplace communications including English grammar, reading / listening comprehension, written and verbal communications, including business writing, conversation, presentation, and public speaking skills.

Who can join?

Must be visually impaired
Must have completed ATRIEV's PC Operations with Access technology (PCOAT) module or its equivalent
Must be highly motivated and willing to learn
Must pass our qualifying requirements

Class schedule:

April to May 2010; Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
July to August 2010; Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
October to November 2010; Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

REQUIREMENTS:

Completely filled up application form available for download, or at the ATRIEV office
2 pieces (1 x 1) ID photo
Personal interview by a member of the ATRIEV training team
Photocopy of diploma / certificates (whichever is applicable)
Photocopy of report card or transcript of records (whichever is applicable)
Consent of parent or guardian (for minors and those supported by parents)
Medical certificate for visual acuity
Income Tax Return (ITR)

Registration fee: Php500.00 only
Tuition fee: Php20,000.00
REGISTER NOW!
ONLY 10 SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE!
LIMITED TUITION FEE SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WILL PASS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

For more information, please call us at Tel. No. 725-4191 or 431-9257 and look for Mr. Tony Llanes or Ms. Desse Borgonia. You may also e-mail us at info@atriev.org.ph or atriev.inc@gmail.com

EVEN GROUNDS AND ATRIEV COLLABORATE FOR WEB ACCESSIBILITY SEMINAR IN 2010

Even Grounds, a Washington-based accessibility consulting company, and ATRIEV, the first and only computer school for the blind in the Philippines, will organize a web accessibility seminar on January 21-22, 2010. This event will be held at the APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) laboratory of the National Computer Center.

Web accessibility refers to a set of principles and methods used in making web content more accessible and usable for persons with disabilities. More and more persons with disabilities are now having the opportunity and resources to access the Internet. However, websites that have poor design and inaccessible content may prevent these individuals from taking advantage of online information and services.

With this in mind, Even Grounds and ATRIEV are inviting web development students from a number of colleges to this unique event. The two institutions believe that web accessibility should be instilled in aspiring web developers while they are still studying. This in turn enables them to create more accessible sites as they become professionals in this field.

This two-day seminar will be spearheaded by Julius Charles Serrano, Even Grounds� research director, and Rene Orense, ATRIEV�s project officer and web master. Both Julius and Rene have extensive knowledge in web accessibility, and have attended and conducted web accessibility seminars both here and abroad.

About Even Grounds

Even Grounds provides consulting services and solutions that make technology accessible for people with disabilities. The company works with government agencies and corporations to evaluate products for accessibility and assist with the life-cycle development and implementation of solutions. The company also provides accessibility training and helps organizations comply with relevant laws and regulations. Even Grounds is located in Alexandria, Va.

About ATRIEV

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.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINEES, NEEDED

Are you a graduating student of any of the following courses?

B.S. Accountancy
B.S. Computer Science
B.S. Computer Engineering

ATRIEV, a computer school for the blind, can be your training ground to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned in the classroom in an actual school and office setting.

We can accept you as on-the-job trainee upon completion of the following requirements:

Letter of Intent addressed to ATRIEV stating your willingness to be an OJT
Letter from your Dean or instructor/professor stating the requirement of your OJT
Your resume

Email your requirements at info@atriev.org.ph or atriev.inc@gmail.com or fax to 725-4191.

Welcome to ATRIEV!

FIRST CALL CENTER FACILITY FOR THE BLIND, LAUNCHED

The Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) Inc, the organization that pioneered computer training for the blind in the Philippines, recently received a much needed boost from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) based in Taiwan, in partnership with local funding agencies, and the private sector.

ADOC 2.0 Project, which involves the establishment of an 8-work station call center training room and a 3-seat outbound call center facility, is the first APEC Digital Opportunity Center for the Blind in the Philippines. The launching ceremony for the Project was held on October 20, 2009, at 10:00 AM at ATRIEV�s Training Center for the Blind in Quezon City. The launch had an attendance of approximately 100 guests headed by H.E. Donald C. T. Lee, representative of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), ADOC officials, representatives of Chunghwa Telecoms of Taiwan, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector.ADOC 2.0 Project, which involves the establishment of an 8-work station call center training room and a 3-seat outbound call center facility, is the first APEC Digital Opportunity Center for the Blind in the Philippines. The launching ceremony for the Project was held on October 20, 2009, at 10:00 AM at ATRIEV�s Training Center for the Blind in Quezon City. The launch had an attendance of approximately 100 guests headed by H.E. Donald C. T. Lee, representative of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), ADOC officials, representatives of Chunghwa Telecoms of Taiwan, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector.ADOC 2.0 Project, which involves the establishment of an 8-work station call center training room and a 3-seat outbound call center facility, is the first APEC Digital Opportunity Center for the Blind in the Philippines. The launching ceremony for the Project was held on October 20, 2009, at 10:00 AM at ATRIEV�s Training Center for the Blind in Quezon City. The launch had an attendance of approximately 100 guests headed by H.E. Donald C. T. Lee, representative of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), ADOC officials, representatives of Chunghwa Telecoms of Taiwan, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector.

The call center training and operating centers are equipped with adaptive hardware and software customized to the needs and abilities of the blind. To prepare for the project, six totally blind, low vision and sighted graduates of ATRIEV, and representatives from partner organizations, namely, the Resources for the Blind, National Council on Disability Affairs, Philippine National School for the Blind, and the Department of Education, underwent a two-week trainers� training in Taipei, Taiwan.

The call center operation uses a customized outbound call center software in tandem with a refreshable Braille display as hardware. With the use of a Braille display that interacts dynamically with the computer, a totally blind person can now provide customer assistance while listening to the client on the phone and reading the responses in Braille. With the technology, the blind will hopefully gain the same speed and efficiency as the sighted call center agent.

Established in 1994 by a group of blind persons, ATRIEV has had a track record in providing IT-related training for the blind for the last 15 years, with the use of a screen reader�a software that translates text to speech�and a screen magnification software. ATRIEV also provides on-the-job training in voicemail transcription to its qualified IT-related training graduates, in partnership with Gallop IT Solutions, a local transcription company.

About ADOC

The APEC Digital Opportunity Center Project (ADOC) was a Chinese Taipei initiative first raised in the 2003 APEC Economic Leaders� Meeting. It aimed to assist in transforming digital divides into digital opportunities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The first phase, launched in August 2004, concluded at the end of 2008. Chinese Taipei contributed more than US$10 million. In collaboration with seven APEC member economies, including Chile, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, 43 ADOC Centers in these partner economies have been established, with more than 600 PCs donated, and around 70,000 people trained at various ADOC centers.

To build on the present foundation and maintain momentum, the second phase of the ADOC project, ADOC 2.0, was proposed at the 2007 APEC Economic Leaders� Meeting. The main idea of the ADOC 2.0 project was to increase the cooperation between the public and private sectors with focus on capacity building activities for disadvantaged groups. In 2009, Mexico joined the ADOC 2.0 project as the 8th ADOC partner economy.

See articles and video below for more information:

PROVIDING ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Ms. Carol Catacutan uses the Braille Display device

Photo from www.worldbank.org.ph

The Knowledge for Development Center (KDC) in Central Philippine University (CPU), Iloilo is now open to persons with disabilities (PWDs). Recently equipped with modern adaptive equipment and facilities, CPU KDC is now more accessible to the blind and visually impaired.

ATRIEV Won the Samsung Hope Campaign!

We would like to THANK Everybody who voted for ATRIEV in the recently-concluded Samsung Hope project.

See articles below for more information:
Article from Yehey.com
Article from PhilStar.com

A brief Introduction about the video below.

Angel, at 21, is determined to pursue her studies at the Asia Pacific College (APC). It may be a simple dream for a girl her age but for Angel, totally blind, finishing a computer course in one of the centers of educational excellence is already a feat.

To Know more about Angel, go to: Angel's Success Story

To Watch More Videos from ATRIEV, visit our YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/ATRIEV