Launched in 2003, Samsung's Digital Hope has awarded over US$1.65 Million to 38 organizations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia, benefitting over 600,000 youth and persons with disabilities.
Bridging the Digital Divide is the goal of Digital Hope, winning it the coveted PRISM Award in 2005 for best Corporate Social Responsibility Program.
With two categories, Digital Hope supports programmes that either assist people living with disabilities to lead richer lives through technology or help the youth to achieve their dreams through the use of technology to improve their lives and their community.
Creativity and innovation are the main criteria for selection:
- Does the project creatively and innovatively use information technology as a means to promote or develop the lives of the youth or disabled?
- How does the project impact the quality of life of a significant number of people?
- Is the project sustainable to provide long-term benefits for the youth?
- Does the target group adopt ownership of the project, thus contributing to its sustainability?
For 2006, The Knowledge Channel for youth education, and ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired) are Digital Hope's Awardees chosen by a selection panel composed of Margie Moran-Floriendo of the Women's Commission on Mindanao and Habitat for Humanity, Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino of the National Youth Commission, and Paolo Manzano of Hardware Zone Magazine.
The urgent need to improve the quality of education is the driving force behind the Knowledge Channel. Founded in 2000 by Rina Lopez Bautista, it is the first and only educational channel in the Philippines reaching 1,699 public schools in 57 provinces and millions of viewers on cable television.
Samsung's Digital Hope grant money will be used to develop three components of the Knowledge Channel's operation:
- Programming--the acquisition, production and airing of fourteen hours of instructional videos anchored on the DECS' grade school and high school curriculum;
- Access—providing the Knowledge Channel through cabling in cooperation with local cable operators or via satellite in remote areas; and
- Support programs--teacher guides, and training & evaluation programs.
KCFI applied for and was awarded two million pesos by Samsung for this endeavor. In addition, Samsung will be providing dozens of television sets to schools for receiving the knowledge channel.
Beyond these three components, the Knowledge Channel also works with grant money from the US AID for Madrasa (Muslim-based) teaching programs in 150 schools in Mindanao, with a special focus on Peace education & conflict resolution combined with practical livelihood education.
To reach non-school audiences, the Knowledge Channel is provided free to hundreds of cable operators, and in remote areas and depressed communities, schools are encouraged to offer their viewing facilities to adults and out of school youths on weekends.
“Helping the Blind See Through Computers” is the focus of ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment).
Founded in 1994 by blind computer experts, ATRIEV is supported by the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, USA, the Nippon Foundation of Japan, and Christofel Blindenmission (Christian Blind Mission) of Germany.
Its local partners include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the STI Foundation, with whom it has developed five-month computer training programs for the blind.
Education in adaptive computing is its main offering, through ATTRAC (Adaptive Technology for Training, Resource, and Access Center), which provides preparatory courses for secondary and technical education for the blind. ATRIEV's technology relies on the use of computerized voice software that reads out items on the screen, together with touch typing skills that eliminate the need for visual inputs while operating a computer.
Upon completion of the courses, ATRIEV's beneficiaries can enrol in regular schools, and seek employment in numerous industries. With ATRIEV, blindness no longer is a handicap to a bright future.
Julius Serrano, is ATRIEV's first blind computer science graduate, finishing in 2005 and winning multiple awards and recognitions along the way: “Best in Systems Analysis and Design” in 2002, “Best Programmer” in 2004, and the “Manuel Villar Excellence Award for IT Students” in 2005.
Doc Mike is Asia's first blind medical transcriptionist, with a better than 98% accuracy score. Today he works for Total Transcription Solutions, Inc., who says he performs as well as his sighted peers.
Krissy Bisda lost her sight at age twelve. Not discouraged by potential employers who saw her diability more than her ability, Krissy trained at ATRIEV and with the help of the foundation she now works at Teletech solutions, which has an active equal opportunities employment program.
JR is a graduating student in computer engineering at STI, but his unique musical skills reveal an equally promising future in digital music.
Already self supporting as a composer of ringtones, musical jingles, and songs, JR uses computers and electronic keyboards to compose and create soulful music.
Move over, Stevie Wonder! JR captivates the audience with his soulful voice and self-arranged musical compositions.
For more information on ATRIEV, visit their website (maintained by their blind webmaster) .
Technology has many uses, but imagine a world where technology helps people with disability lead richer lives, and helps further the education of the youth. With Samsung's Digital Hope Program, it's not that hard to imagine...
