At St. Oda School for the Blind, Joash Ododa, a 48-year-old primary school teacher who is blind and partially deaf, teaches social studies and mathematics to students in grades four and seven. He can only hear very close sounds. Nevertheless, he works hard to be the best teacher.

Joash was born without any disabilities, but at 32, while working as a banker, he had a severe meningitis infection that left him blind and paralyzed. It was challenging to adjust to this new normal. He underwent therapy and enrolled in a teacher-training institution with the assistance of his family.

Joash increases his level of independence by fully utilizing accessible and assistive technology on computers, particularly his mobile phone, which he uses for communication, mobile banking, and content creation for his pupils.

Joash keeps proving that our circumstances don’t have to determine who we are. He has given knowledge and hope to young people who are blind or have low eyesight by accepting assistance, receiving education, and changing his career path.

The inclusive employment panel at the 2022 Inclusive Africa Conference addressed the importance of hiring people with disabilities and the beneficial effects that can have a life-changing influence.

Photo Caption: JOASH ODODA, A TEACHER AT ST. ODA PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IS TEACHING A CLASS WHILE READING THROUGH HIS BRAILLE BOOK.

Written by: inABLE Computer instructor Shadrack Otieno