For over ten weeks, the head office of Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired (HSUVI) in Bamenda has been a hub of transformation, hosting the Digital Empowerment of Persons with Visual Impairments (DEPVI) training program. Through this initiative, twenty visually impaired men and women were equipped with essential technological skills, particularly in smartphone usage, aimed at enhancing their daily lives and overall quality of life.
The struggle before training
Before the training, Bah Irene, a visually impaired woman, felt left out of the digital world. In a scenario that captures her pre-training experience, she struggled to use her phone; unsure of how to navigate the screen or even access basic apps.
"I remember holding my phone, unable to figure out how to make a call or send a message. It felt like the world was progressing, and I was stuck in a time warp," Irene told Hilltopvoices
The frustration of knowing technology could improve her life, yet lacking the tools to access it, weighed heavily on her. She felt isolated, as if her visual impairment had placed an unbreakable barrier between her and the modern world.
Similarly, Ayeah Ashbel, another visually impaired trainee, shared his story of attempting to use his smartphone before the training.
"I could hold the phone, but it was like holding a stone in my hand," Ayeah explained.
Without the ability to see, he had no idea how to access even the most basic functions.
"I used to depend entirely on others to make a call or send a message. I couldn’t read any of the social media updates that my friends were talking about," he said.
For him, the digital world was like an unknown galaxy: vast, but inaccessible.
The DEPVI training and transformation
The DEPVI project, initiated by HSUVI Bamenda and supported by the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation (ICDR) Cameroon group at the University of Toronto, Canada, came as a lifeline to Irene, Ashbel, and many others. Running from February 3, 2024, to April 6, 2024, the program aimed to transform their lives through digital literacy.
Weekend training seminars became a turning point for Irene. With the help of patient instructors, she slowly learned how to navigate her smartphone using voice-assisted technology.
"It was like a door opened for me," she recalled with a smile.
"I could finally send a message to my family without needing help. I could follow conversations online and feel like I was part of the world again." Irene’s confidence blossomed, and with the promise of a free smartphone at the end of the program, she knew her life would never be the same.
"This training has given me a new sense of independence," she added.
Ashbel’s experience mirrored Irene’s. Learning how to use a smartphone for him was not just about gaining a new skill: it was about reclaiming autonomy.
"I felt like I had gained control over something that was beyond my reach," he said.
With the training, Ashbel could now use voice commands to call his family and friends, scroll through social media, and even use apps to read the news.
"This phone became my eyes," he proudly declared.
A new horizon for the visually impaired community
As the DEPVI training came to an end, the twenty participants, especially the female recipients of the smartphones, expressed profound gratitude. Irene, representing the female trainees, spoke passionately about the invaluable knowledge and ICT tools they had gained.
"We are no longer limited by our disabilities; we have the power of technology in our hands," she said.
Ashbel, the spokesperson for the male trainees, echoed Irene’s sentiments.
"This training has opened doors we never thought possible. We are now part of the global digital community. We can access education, communicate, and even do research, all from the palm of our hands."
However, he also advocated for future support, particularly in providing smartphones for other needy male participants, emphasizing that access to technology should be a universal right.
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HSUVI’s President, Ngong Peter Tonain, noted that the participants' commitment to continuing their learning journey, through individual informal training sessions, demonstrated the long-lasting impact of the project.
"This is just the beginning," he remarked adding "Our goal is to empower more visually impaired individuals not only in Bamenda but across the region. We want to show the world that with the right tools, nothing is impossible."
A future of inclusion and empowerment
For Irene and Ashbel, the DEPVI training was more than just a technological workshop—it was a gateway to independence, self-reliance, and inclusion in the global digital space. Their stories reflect the broader mission of HSUVI Bamenda: to equip the visually impaired with skills that break down barriers and open up opportunities.
With newfound skills and confidence, both Irene and Ashbel, along with their fellow trainees, stand ready to fully engage with the world around them. Thanks to programs like DEPVI, they are now part of a future where education, communication, and social connection are within their reach: no matter their visual impairment.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
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