On October 15th, the world joins visually impaired individuals to celebrate White Cane Day. This annual event highlights the importance of the white cane as a “symbol of authority” for the visually impaired. In 2024, learners and teachers from St. Oda School for the Visually Impaired united with their colleagues from Vihiga County to mark this significant day. The event brought together key stakeholders, including human rights organizations, the county government, and the Kenya Society for the Blind.

The day began with a 10km walk through Mbale town and its outskirts, where visually impaired learners participated to raise awareness about the importance of educating children with disabilities. Under the slogan “Don’t Sympathize with Us, Give Us Opportunity,” the walk aimed to sensitize the community on the need to offer children with disabilities equal access to education.

After the walk the learners showcased their talents through dances and songs, captivating the audience. Their performances emphasized the need to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to attend school, not only to excel academically but to nurture their unique talents and skills.

A key highlight of the event was the focus on assistive technology. Learners demonstrated their ability to use various digital devices to navigate the modern world. One standout performance came from William Juvenile, a learner who confidently demonstrated his proficiency with a Chromebook laptop using the ChromeVox screen reader. William showcased his skills gained from inABLE’s accessibility lab by opening applications, including a text editor used in programming classes focused on web development.

The day’s guest speaker, Mr. Nelson Bwire, emphasized the pivotal role assistive technology plays in the lives of the visually impaired, particularly in the job market. Bwire, an alumnus of both St. Oda and Thika High School for the Blind, shared his personal journey. Having passed through inABLE’s accessibility lab project and completing an internship in 2016, Nelson shared how the tech skills he acquired set him apart from his peers. Now a graduate of Kenyatta University with a degree in Special Needs Education, Nelson works with the Kenya Society for the Blind, leading various programs that positively impact the lives of visually impaired individuals in Vihiga County and beyond.

The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive education, the role of assistive technology, and the necessity of offering equal opportunities to visually impaired learners. It is through support, understanding, and empowerment that these learners can reach their full potential.

Written by Shadrack Otieno, inABLE’s Computer Instructor at St Oda School for the Visually Impaired