St. Oda’s School

Key Impact Summary

Since 2014, inABLE has partnered with St. Oda School for the Blind to transform learning through assistive technology, accessible digital devices, coding, and digital skills training. The program is enabling learners who are blind or have low vision to learn more independently, access education on an equal basis with their peers, and develop skills for higher education, employment, and leadership. Since its launch, the program has reached 2,707 learners, including 179 who are currently enrolled.

About St. Oda

Founded in 1961, St. Oda School for the Visually Impaired is a public special school sponsored by the Catholic Church through the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna, located in Gem Sub County, Siaya County. Today, it provides residential pre-primary, primary, and junior school education to 240 children and young people with visual impairments. 

Since 2014, inABLE has partnered with the school to transform learning through assistive technology, digital skills training, and accessible devices. By helping learners move beyond limited access to printed and Braille resources, the program provides practical tools to access information, communicate, collaborate, complete assessments, and learn more independently. As a result, learners are building the confidence, digital skills, and independence they need to participate fully in education and prepare for future opportunities in employment and society.

The inABLE Program at St. Oda

The inABLE program at St. Oda equips learners and teachers with accessible digital tools and hands-on training that support inclusive education. Learners build foundational and advanced skills in:

• Introduction to computers.
• Keyboarding and typing.
• Productivity tools.
• Internet use and email.
• Collaborative digital tools.
• Google Classroom-supported learning and assessments.
• Coding skills, including HTML, CSS, introductory JavaScript, and Python.
• Screen reader use, including NVDA, ChromeVox, and Narrator.
•  Screen magnification and accessibility features.

Learners from Grades 1 to 9 access the lab directly, while pre-school learners benefit through teacher-supported digital learning. The program serves learners aged approximately 5 to 22, making digital literacy part of the learning journey from early education through junior school.

Program Reach and Measurable Impact

The Assistive Technology Lab is integrated into everyday learning at St. Oda. Learners use accessible digital devices to take notes, complete assessments, conduct research, and access educational content, while teachers incorporate digital tools into classroom instruction. This helps learners build digital skills and use technology more independently.

• 2,707 learners reached since the program began
• 179 learners currently enrolled
• 118 learners who are totally blind reached
• 65 teachers trained and supported
• 137 Chromebooks deployed
• 30 desktop computers deployed
• 28 iPads deployed
• 15 Windows laptops deployed
• 5,989.16 hours of digital skills training delivered
• Approximately 1,200 hours of coding training delivered

Summary of Key Results

The program is helping St. Oda learners build the confidence and skills to use technology independently, from accessing learning resources independently and completing assignments to navigating digital devices and screen readers. Teachers are also strengthening their digital skills, integrating accessible technology into lessons and using digital tools more confidently to support inclusive learning. The program has also strengthened digital literacy among teachers with visual impairments, including more independent use of smartphones and digital communication tools.

The most significant results include:

• Inclusive access: Learners and teachers can access educational materials in accessible digital formats instead of relying only on print or limited Braille materials.
• Greater independence: Learners are operating computers, using screen readers, and applying ICT skills in everyday learning.
• Innovation and problem-solving: Students are progressing from basic digital literacy into coding, creativity, and technology-based problem solving.
• Teacher empowerment: Teachers are using ICT more confidently to make classrooms more inclusive and engaging.

Why This Program Matters

The inABLE program has helped St. Oda strengthen its approach to inclusive education. The school administration recognizes Chromebook-based assessments as more affordable than traditional paper-based methods. Internet infrastructure has improved the quality of learning content delivered to students. Learners now have a more equal opportunity to access educational resources, and the school reports higher enrollment compared to sister schools without similar digital programs.

The program has also made St. Oda a learning point for others. Universities such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and Maseno University have visited the school to learn how visually impaired learners access and use digital devices independently. Regular schools from the surrounding area have also visited the labs to learn more about ICT integration in learning. Learnly Africa has also sought partnership with the school to support inclusion of persons with disabilities in its Her Tech Pathway Initiative.

Beyond the Classroom

The impact of the program extends far beyond the classroom. Learners who have gained digital skills through St. Oda’s Assistive Technology Lab are progressing to higher education, employment, leadership, and greater independence. Valary joined the program as an intern after high school, where she received training in digital skills and accessible technology. These skills supported her studies and research at university and later helped her secure a role as a computer instructor with the inABLE program.

Elvis, now pursuing a Law degree at Kenyatta University, has been part of the program from primary school through university and was among the beneficiaries of a MacBook laptop donated by Apple. Their journeys, along with those of many other former learners who are thriving in their personal and professional lives, demonstrate the transformative power of early access to digital tools, accessible learning opportunities, and sustained support for learners with visual impairments