Foundation, Google Train Visually-impaired Students, Others In AI

The Christ’s Outreach on Disabilities (CODISA) Foundation has partnered with Google to train over 30 visually-impaired students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Android devices to improve their lives and reduce their dependence.

During the programme, Codisa leader, Prince Olaoluwa Awojoodu, said the training was designed to assist the beneficiaries to become independent and improve their access to general services.

“This training is for the visually-impaired for the Android device. For example, if I train someone who is hearing-impaired, it will not be the same training because they can see the Android phone but cannot hear it. So it’s about how they use their devices effectively, that’s the focus of this training,” he said.

He underscored the foundation’s commitment to transforming lives, stating that it had impacted over 10,000 people with special needs since its establishment in 1984.

“So we deal with 40 homes as of today.  We have 40 homes that we sponsor and have been doing this for over 40 years,” he added.

Director of Google West Africa Region, Olumide Balogun, expressed delight in partnering with CODISA to carry out technology training to help visually impaired persons access their phones and artificial intelligence in a way that can benefit their lives, their purpose, and, by extension, society.

“The team here at Google is always looking for where we can step in and support and make a meaningful difference.

“Therefore, Google Serve is an activity that we carry out every year. Where do we think about our communities and say, Where can we serve? Where can we go physically, not just from the office, but where can we serve?

“And for us, you know, we just thought it was a natural fit for us to come and spend time with our brothers and our sisters and bring the power of technology to them. So we’re very excited to be here doing this training today,” he said.

Google Search Partnerships Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, Ugochi Agoreyo, who took the group through sessions on utilising their phones and AI effectively, explained that the practical would help them to navigate their phones through talking back to the phones, as opposed to using hand prompts and improve their everyday life with Android devices and AI.