NEWS AND EVENTS

ATRIEV's Advanced National Trainer's Training Program

By Julius Charles R. Serrano

From October 13 to 24, 2008, ATRIEV conducted its annual Advanced National Trainer's Training Program. This training was held at the ADHOC Laboratory of the National Computer Center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The main goal of this course is to train teachers of visually impaired students about the proper use of Microsoft Office applications through JAWS (Job Access With Speech). JAWS is a screen-reading program used by blind people to access files and utilize software applications on the computer.

There were ten (10) participants in the said training. The participants consisted of volunteers and special education teachers from various schools and non-government institutions in a number of regions in the Philippines. I, Julius Charles R. Serrano, was the lead trainer, and with me was Mr. Rene Orense, ATRIEV's project officer.

The contents of the training were divided into three major parts: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, and Internet Explorer. The participants learned how to navigate through, edit, and format spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. Afterwards, they learned how to create presentations in Microsoft Powerpoint. Lastly, they learned how to browse web pages using Internet Explorer.

All of the said activities were done through the use of JAWS and without the use of the mouse. To assess the progress of the participants, Mr. Orense and I gave exercises and examinations focusing on each major topic.

At the end of the training, the participants demonstrated how they would share to their blind students what they have learned in the course. Each trainee presented a unique style in teaching the concepts of spreadsheets, presentations, and Internet navigation.

As a final note, ATRIEV hopes that through this training, more educators of visually impaired and blind individuals would be able to properly teach adaptive technologies such as JAWS to their students.

STAND BY ME

A CALL TO ACTION

ATRIEV, the first and only computer school for the blind in the Philippines, has put together for the first time, musical icons in different genres, to sing with one voice for the computer education of the blind in ”Stand by Me” a Concert for a Cause. ”Stand by Me” was held on October 22, 2008 at the Meralco Theater.

No less than rock and roll icon Ramon ”RJ” Jacinto jammed with ATRIEV's guitar Genius, Jimmy Dagtay and performed two RJ originals, ”Hele-Hele” and the very famous ”Muli”. Bossanova queen, Sitti also shared center stage with ATRIEV's very own Diva, Alona Bateg with their most applauded rendition of ”Para Sa Akin”. The very talented Nyoy Volante sang back-to-back with ATRIEV's RnB artist, Erick Marco Ramos. The trio of RJ, Nyoy and Paolo Santos known as the Guitar Slingers energized the crowd. The two-and-a-half show was capped by the captivating performance of Gerard Salonga and the FILharmoniKA with Reymond Sajor. Three totally blind performers, Cardz delos Santos, JR Santiago and Desse Borgonia serenaded the audience with their soulful performances with the FILharmoniKA. JR Santiago touched the hearts of everyone with his moving rendition of ”We are the Reason”. The audience was up on its feet as all the stars came together for the finale ”Stand by Me”.

”Stand by Me” not only BROUGHT together sterling musical performances but also demonstrated the blind's ability to use computers at a pre-concert skills demonstration at the lobby.

RJ Productions, the FILharmoniKA Orchestra, CBM, BG Consolidated Holdings, Inc., Meralco, JWT, Asia Pacific College, Informatics, Lafarge Cement, RFM, Go Negosyo, SM Foundation and Jones, Lang, La Salle, Leechiu and Associates have generously shared their resources with ATRIEV to help an additional 600 young blind adults gain access to computer education. Proceeds of the concert will be for the scholarships of blind students for school year 2009-2010.

”Stand by Me”, a one-of-a-kind treat has truly helped the blind see a brighter future.

ATRIEV unlocks the hidden power of the blind thru the use of technology. We teach the blind to operate computers with the use of a screen reader or screen magnification software. To date, we have trained and empowered over 500 young blind adults who have become medical transcribers, computer instructors, web designers, human resource personnel, practicing social workers, entrepreneurs etc. Through the benefit concert, ATRIEV hopes to train 600 more blind Filipinos in the use of computers.

“A Benefit concert for the Visually-Impaired”

OCTOBER 22, 2008
MERALCO THEATER

Featuring:
RAMON “RJ” JACINTO
WITH
Nyoy Volante, Paolo Santos & Sitti

With the very special participation of:
GERARD SALONGA
AND THE FILHARMONIKA ORCHESTRA

And special performances of
"ATRIEV’S VERY OWN BLIND TALENTS"
ERICK MARCO RAMOS, JIMMY DAGTAY, ALONA BATEG, CARDZ DELOS SANTOS,
JR SANTIAGO and DESSE BORGONIA

Please click the link "ATRIEV Scholarship Fund Options" on Ways to Support Computer Education for the Blind.

“HELP THE BLIND SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE”

Concert Sponsors:

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

09 October 2008

(ENGLISH VERSION)

Are you BLIND or VISUALLY IMPAIRED?
Do you want to learn how to use the computer?

ATRIEV, a computer school for the blind and visually impaired, will conduct the following computer training courses in the first half of 2009:

PC Operations with Access Technology (Low Vision): Trains students in basic computer literacy, especially in the use of a screen magnification software in tandem with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Internet, email, instant messaging and basic trouble shooting. The course also includes competencies in work ethics and quality standards.
Class schedule: 15 April to 30 May 2009
Monday to Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

PC Operations with Access Technology (Summer): Trains students in basic computer literacy, especially in the use of a screen reader or screen magnification software in tandem with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Internet, email, instant messaging and basic trouble shooting. The course also includes competencies in work ethics and quality standards.
Class schedule: 15 April to 30 May 2009
Monday to Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Digital Early Intervention Training for Kids: Teaches blind and visually impaired kids grades IV to VI the Windows environment and Word Processing software in tandem with a screen reader or screen magnification software.
Class Schedule: 04 to 29 May 2009
Mondays-Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Who can join?

Must be visually impaired
Must be highly motivated and willing to learn

REQUIREMENTS:

Completely filled up Application Form available at the ATRIEV office
2 pieces (1-by-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

Registration fee: php500.00 only

Deadline for Registration: Jan. 29, 2009

For more details contact:
Desse Borgonia/Jonathan Palmero
Tel. Nos. 02-725-4191 or 02-431-9257
Mobile numbers: +63916-438-7040 or +63906-755-2795
Or visit us at:
ATRIEV Computer School for the Blind
2nd Floor, 1680 E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Barangay Immaculate Concepcion,
Cubao, Quezon City
(in front of Motolite)

Fore other ATRIEV courses as well as their schedules, please click the Programs section of this site.

(TAGALOG VERSION)

Ikaw Ba Ay bulag?
Gusto Mo Bang Matutong Mag-computer?

ATRIEV, isang computer school para sa mga bulag, ay magkakaroon ng computer training para sa mga sumusunod na kurso:

PC Operations with Access Technology (Low Vision): Trains students in basic computer literacy, especially in the use of a screen magnification software in tandem with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Internet, email, instant messaging and basic trouble shooting. The course also includes competencies in work ethics and quality standards.
Class schedule: 15 Abril hanggang 30 Mayo 2009
Lunes - Sabado; 8:30 ng umaga hanggang 5:30 ng hapon

PC Operations with Access Technology (Summer): Trains students in basic computer literacy, especially in the use of a screen reader or screen magnification software in tandem with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Internet, email, instant messaging and basic trouble shooting. The course also includes competencies in work ethics and quality standards.
Class Schedule: 15 Abril hanggang 30 Mayo 2009
Lunes hanggang Sabado: 8:30 ng umaga hanggang 5:30 ng hapon

Digital Early Intervention Training for Kids: Teaches blind and visually impaired kids grades IV to VI the Windows environment and Word Processing software in tandem with a screen reader or screen magnification software.
Class Schedule: 04 hanggang 29 Mayo 2009
Lunes-Byernes; 9:00 a.m. hanggang 4:00 p.m.

Sino ang pwedeng magpatala?

Bulag o may Kapansanan sa paningin
May matinding pagnanais na matuto at pagsumikapan ang pag-aaral

Mga Kinakailangan:

Application form na makukuha lamang sa opisina ng ATRIEV
2 pirasong ID picture
personal na panayam sa isa sa mga myembro ng training team
kopya ng diploma o certificate
kopya ng report card o transcript of records (kung alin ang nararapat)
patunay ng pagsang-ayon ng magulang para sa mga edad na mababa sa 18 taong gulang
patunay ng doktor ng pagkabulag (visual acuity)

Bayad sa pagpaparehistro: php500.00 lamang
Magrehistro na! Ngayon na!
May mga nakalaan pang sponsorships sa maagang magrerehistro.
Deadline ng pagrerehistro:
January 29, 2009

Para sa karagdagang detalye, tumawag kina:
Desse Borgonia o Jonathan Palmero
Telepono bilang: 02-725-4191 o kaya 02-431-9257
Mobile bilang: +63916-438-7040 o +63906-755-2795
O pumunta sa:
2nd Floor, 1680 E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Barangay Immaculate Concepcion,
Cubao, Quezon City
(sa harapan ng Motolite)

Para sa mga iba pang kurso sa ATRIEV at pati na rin ang mga schedules, paki-click lang ang Programs na bahagi ng web site na ito.

ATRIEV

Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired