Computers for the blind planned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government, to prove its commitment to
\nproviding a good education for the handicapped, plans to
\ntranslate college admission tests into Braille for the blind.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Minister for Education and Culture Wardiman
\nDjononegoro announced that the plan will start in June, when
\nuniversities open admission for the handicapped students.<\/p>\n
"The blind have the same right to a good education as any
\nother citizen," Wardiman said, at a demonstration of a Braille
\nprinter and computer software by a Norwegian company.<\/p>\n
The company was trying to impress the minister with the
\ncomputers' ability to translate questions of last year's college
\nadmission tests.<\/p>\n
Last year, 13 blind students participated in state college
\nadmission tests. They were helped by special teachers who read
\nthem the questions. This year, there will be 22.<\/p>\n
The ministry has considered getting foreign assistance to
\nfinance more Braille computers. These computers would be used to
\ntranslate not only exam questions, but also books for the blind.
\nThe equipment will also be provided to schools for the
\nhandicapped across the country.<\/p>\n
The Director of primary education, Djauzak Achmad, said
\nspecial schools for the handicapped had existed long before the
\nnation declared its independence in 1945. However, he
\nacknowledged the government has not provided them adequate
\nequipment.<\/p>\n
Statistics at the ministry shows there are about 1 million
\nblind people in Indonesia and another 10 million with serious
\nvision problems. Of the group who are legally blind, only 3,000
\nor so attend school.<\/p>\n
"Schools for handicapped are very expensive. The existing 209
\nschools are not enough to accommodate all the handicapped,"
\nDjauzak said.<\/p>\n
He added that the government wanted to build more schools that
\naccommodate both the handicapped and those without disabilities,
\nbecause mixed schools are cheaper to manage.<\/p>\n
"There will be time when all the handicapped will go to
\nordinary schools," Djauzak said.<\/p>\n
He called on the public not to be ashamed of having
\nhandicapped children.(01)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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