Supporting the Education of Children with Visual Impairment and Multiple Disabilities in Tanzania and Uganda

Implementing Partners: Perkins School for the Blind

DPO Partners: The World Blind Union, SightSavers International

Amount: $297,206

USAID’s Africa Bureau supports a disability program in Uganda and Tanzania that is implemented by the Perkins School for the Blind. The program focuses on expanding educational opportunities for children and the parents of children who are blind, deafblind, or blind with multiple disabilities; increasing transitional programs to enhance life skills for young adults; and ensuring that government officials better understand the needs of children with visual disabilities and multiple disabilities.

In addition, the Perkins School for the Blind, in partnership with the Deaf and the Blind Associations in Uganda and Tanzania

• strengthens the skills of teachers in educating children with vision-related disabilities and multiple disabilities via direct training and teacher exchanges
• builds the knowledge and skills of disability leaders and local DPOs in coordination with the World Blind Union
• teaches life skills to promote independent living for young adults and adults with disabilities
• promotes Braille literacy and increase access to Braille writing materials