KATHMANDU, APRIL 24
Project Wings to Dreams, an innovative initiative aimed at breaking down barriers faced by individuals with visual disabilities, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful organization of a two-day orientation event at St. Xavier's College in collaboration with Chain For Change, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, and Expedición Solidaria.
As per the statement issued by the Chain for Change, the primary objective of Project Wings to Dreams is to address the graphical challenges encountered by persons with visual disabilities in their academic and daily lives through the utilization of 3D and tactile technology.
The orientation event, held over two days, provided the new batch of students with a comprehensive understanding of Project Wings to Dreams, its objectives, activities, and the significance of their involvement in making education more accessible and inclusive for students with disabilities, the statement said.
"Key highlights of the orientation included an in-depth discussion led by Sanjiya Shrestha, co-founder of Chain for Change, on disability awareness, encompassing various types of disabilities, influencing factors, and appropriate terminology when addressing individuals with disabilities."
Abhishek Shahi, the founder and president of Chain for Change, shared insights into the organization's history and mission, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in driving positive change.
A groundbreaking aspect of the orientation was the introduction of 3D models and tactile technology in educational institutions in Nepal. The first batch of students involved in the project showcased accessible tactile 3D models they had created and briefed about workshops they had provided for students with visual disabilities at Laboratory School, the organizers further added.
Challenges facing the project, as highlighted during the orientation, include complexity in information representation, scale and size limitations, resource constraints, lack of specialized software, curriculum integration, user testing, and material sourcing.
On the second day, the new batch of students was briefed on the action plan for the upcoming tenure, which includes installing accessible signboards, researching academic books to create accessible 3D content, conducting braille writing workshops, and more.
The orientation concluded with a session on mental well-being, featuring singing bowl therapy, emphasizing the importance of holistic support for all involved in the project.
"Project Wings to Dreams is pioneering a transformative approach to accessibility in education, setting a precedent for inclusive practices in Nepal," it said.
