Miki is nearly ready to start school— and like most kids, he’s both excited and nervous. He’s also crazy about computers. But until recently, he didn’t get much chance to use one. Because this 9-year-old Macedonian boy has Cerebral Palsy, he needs special equipment and assistance.   

Thanks to USAID’s support to the NGO Open the windows, Miki is just one of many others with disabilities who now have access to the world—through specially equipped computers. The center in Skopje which Miki visits is one of six assistive IT centers, each run by a different organization, which are now equipped with special computer hardware and software. The project also includes training for staff.

“Assistive technology and software, makes handicaps irrelevant,” says Lidija Krstevska Dojchinovska, a representative of Open the windows.  “Every person with special needs has a right to have access to information and knowledge-- this is the foundation for education, employment, and better social integration.”

A local internet service provider, On.net, is providing a year’s worth of free internet.  Support has also been provided by the Foundation of Lord Michelham of Hellingly.  

The project was conceived and is being implemented by a team including Dao Tran, a US Peace Corps Volunteer who works with Open the windows, who helped the NGO prepare a proposal for USAID funding.

"Technology has changed the way students learn and communicate,” says Dao Tran. “But some students, because of their disabilities, can’t participate and fall further behind. Open the windows bridges that IT gap.”

The interactive software provided to the centers aims to help improve user’s memory, concentration, attention, analysis and synthesis, and ability to differentiate colors and forms.  All kinds of educational games are included: puzzles, games with rules, games that require fast reactions, identifying sounds and forms and so on.  

Miki uses a computer which has enlarged icons on the desktop, cursor, and captions buttons.  Miki can start up the computer by himself, open a game program, change it, or play music.