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Web site launched for disabled

The nation's first ever "obstacle-free Web site," an online learning program especially designed for those with mental and physical impairments, was launched yesterday.

In a move to improve job and educational prospects for those with physical and mental disabilities, the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) employment training division, with assistance from the Taiwan Assistive Technology and Vocational Rehabilitation Association and Sunnet Technology Corporation, started building a Web site six months ago to teach them computer skills, such as how to use word-processing software, surf the Internet and use e-mail.

The project hopes to train 350 members who do not have basic computer literacy skills by the end of this year.

"Today we are witnessing a historical moment in Taiwan's history," said Kuo Fang-yu (郭芳煜), head of the employment and training division of the CLA.

"Although there has been an `earthquake' in the Council of Labor Affairs with the resignation of [CLA chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊)] it does not subtract from the importance of this day," Kuo added.

The Web site can be found at openstudy.evta.gov.tw.

Kuo said that in the past, one of the biggest obstacles to improving job prospects for the mentally and physically disabled was their lack of computer knowledge, with only 10 percent being IT-literate.

"We all know that if you aren't computer literate you definitely won't get a job," he said, adding that this project was a "breakthrough."

Kang Yong-hua (康永華), the managing director of Sunnet Technology Corporation, noted how difficult it was for the physically disabled to leave the house.

"With this Web site, learning will be much more accessible," he said.

Yieh Yao-ming (業耀明), the chair of the Taiwan Assistive Technology and Vocational Rehabilitation Association, outlined a number of original features on the Web site, both in terms of access and content. There are two methods to access the site: one for those with hearing and physical impairments, the other for those with vision problems and those who were intellectually challenged. The hardware for the latter includes a Braille strip which runs alongside the keyboard and a "guidedog for the blind" feature allowing those with vision problems to access the main features of a particular Web page with just a click of a button.

The educational material on the Web site is specially adapted to the needs of those with physical and mental disabilities through the provision of subtitles, a sign language guide who appears in the corner of the screen and oral instructions. Furthermore, only a quick tap at the keyboard is needed to access features, eliminating the need for using a mouse.

Online tutors and a special support team consisting of members of the "Eaglefly" support team (who themselves have disabilities), are on hand to provide support, Kuo said.

Eaglefly member Chen Guan-wu (陳冠武), who teaches computer literacy skills to the physically and mentally disabled, joked, "I am worried that this project will put me out of a job."
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