Computer-based assistance for the blind at the University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba established a course to trai n blind persons as computer programmers in 1965. Since a one-year training course does not fit into the normal Universit y academic pattern, this course was established as part of th e Computer Centre, which is a non-academic service departmen t of the University. Upon successful completion of this non-credit course, a student is issued a certificate, and ove r 60 graduates are currently employed as computer programmers. (1) Applicants for this course are expected to have some academi c training at the University level (preferably a degree), an d pay tution fees. These fees are typically subsidized by rehabilitation and training programs, and this income is the onl y source of funds for the course. Because of stringent budge t constraints, and the fact that it is not a regular academi c program, the University of Manitoba provides no direct fina n-cial assistance for this course. However, the Computer Centr e does provide office space and computer time, as well as administrative assistance and quidance. The Supervisor of the Programming Course for the Blin d reports to the Director of the Computer Centre, who i s responsible for budgetary control, and must approve studen t marks and pass/fail decisions before they are issued. The course Supervisor is responsible for curriculum, teaching , and the detailed operation of the course. The course begins with an introduction to computing concepts and assembly language programming. The student then studies the COBOL language and must complete 12 to 15 programming assignments. Other topics studied include the PL/ l programming language, flow-charting and documentation, a s well as practical experience in the use of text editing an d information retrieval systems. The course usually conclude s with a month of practical experience at the employer's compute r installation. Since its inception, the Programming Course for the Blind has been extremely successful. Over 90% of its graduate s are gainfully employed and paying taxes rather than receivin g disability pensions. During his working career, a blin d programmer would likely pay taxes equal to twice the amoun t he would receive on a disability pension .