By Tom S. Noda
Computerworld Philippines
December 1, 2009

Arming them with the English language and some basic computer skills, blind people are seen to establish careers in call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

“A call center career is a potential for blind graduate students,” said Randy Weisser, executive director of Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI), a non-government organization. “Having the opportunity to train and access technology allows blind students to explore new avenues for personal development and greater employment opportunities.”

Speaking during the recent graduation ceremony of “Computer Eyes” program, a week-long computer camp for blind students conducted by RBI and IBM Philippines, Weisser said empowering visually challenged persons with language and computer skills will change their traditional career of “massage therapist.”

Weisser reported massage therapist is the “No. 1 profession” of blind people in the Philippines and also claimed that 70% of visually impaired individuals in the US remain to be unemployed to date. “This Computer Eyes program will change that.  There are opportunities for them to do jobs in call centers and data transcription centers if only they have PC skills and English skills.”

The recent Computer Eyes event served as the 8th national computer camp for blind students who came from various schools across the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao islands in the Philippines.

A total of 20 visually impaired students from high school and college levels gathered for a week-long basic training in computer literacy, particularly on computer applications, such as: keyboard skills, word processing, web page creation, social internet networks (Facebook and Friendster), and the use of adaptive software that enable individuals to use computers regardless of blindness or visual impairment. 

This year’s Computer Eyes camp was held inside Big Blue’s main headquarters at IBM Plaza in Eastwood City Cyberpark in Libis, Quezon City. There, the students learned computer skills by using Jaws, an open-source software program that works with speech synthesizers.

Weisser said Computer Eyes training will bridge the gap between the sighted and blind, and claimed that those who went under the program learned to be independent and are now practicing what they have learned.

Since Computer Eyes’ introduction in 2001, more than 170 visually impaired students from all over the country were trained under the program. Weisser said RBI and IBM are planning to do summer evaluations next year for a possible computer camp during the summer vacations of students.

Andrea Escalona, IBM Philippines’ country manager for marketing, communications and corporate citizenship and corporate affairs, said big blue’s support to Computer Eyes only shows that IBM has been living up to its company values of “dedication to every client’s success, innovation that matters” and also “trust and responsibility.”

Escalona said IBM has a long history of commitment to “diversity” and has consistently taken the lead on diversity policies long before it was required by law. “The company is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer,” she said.

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