Zero Project – ICEVI – 2739 – Employment Initiative of the ICEVI-The Nippon Foundation Higher Education Project

Chronology Commenced as a pilot program in Indonesia in 2007 Expanded to the Philippines and Vietnam in 2008, Cambodia in 2010, Myanmar in 2013 and Laos in 2014. Preparation work underway in Mongolia

Broad objectives of the project To make higher education more inclusive for blind students through multi-country collaboration within the ASEAN region by effectively using ICT, developing more welcoming university environments, promoting inclusive university and public policies and assuring that graduates are better prepared to enter into open market employment.

Partners Institutions of the project Krousar Thmey Cambodia www.krousar-thmey.org Pertuni (Indonesian Blind Union), Indonesia http://pertuni.idp-europe.org Myanmar National Association of the Blind (MNAB), Myanmar www.mnab-myanmar.org Resources for the Blind, Inc., Philippines www.blind.org.ph Sao Mai Vocational & Assistive Technology Center for the Blind Vietnam www.saomaicenter.org National University of Laos (NUOL) Lao PDR www.nuol.edu.la

Beneficiaries Students benefitted since the inception of the project: Cambodia : 83 Indonesia : 631 Lao PDR : 19 Myanmar : 69 Philippines : 710 Vietnam : 630 Total : 2142

Types of employment facilitated For 117 persons with visual impairment Telemarketer IT Assistant Radio Jockey Catering Administrative assistant Teacher Language Instructor Insurance Agent Counsellor, etc.

Types of employers Government Banks IT companies Restaurants Call Centres Auto Industries Insurance companies Small scale Industries, etc.

The innovative aspect Integration of the three vital ingredients of transition from higher education to employment, viz., Academic Skills, Job Skills and Soft Skills” while undergoing their higher education studies “Preparing” the individual for the job rather than simply “Placing the person” for an available job.  Preparation of the person for the job reduces attrition and contributes to “job satisfaction” Special focus on soft skills as the employees believe that the academic and job skills get them jobs but the soft skills make them to succeed in those jobs.   

The impact created Emergence of young leaders among visually impaired adults who are becoming role models Increase in the enrolment of students with visual impairment in schools due to positive change among parents Employer confidence Improved self-esteem in the individuals Policy changes

David Eko Wardoyo from Indonesia at the IT Centre Precilia Oktaviana from Indonesia at the Call Center

Ho Pham Uyen Phuong from Vietnam at her office Sarith from Cambodia at the Radio Station

Confidence…….. “Words mean nothing without actions; determination is key to successful employment” – Ms. Đinh Việt Anh, Vietnam “Technology is a friend of visually impaired persons in their empowerment” – Ms. Lench Ann Perilla, The Philippines   “Better inclusion in academic environment develops necessary skills for effective coping in the work settings” – Mr. Sien Viboth, Cambodia “Digital marketing is one career option that blind people could do the best” – Ms. Juwita, Indonesia “Assertiveness and self-advocacy are very much needed to build a strong professional career” – Mr. Bima, Indonesia

Providing appropriate training including soft skills The next steps Identifying more jobs Providing appropriate training including soft skills Strengthening parent movements Creation of self-employment opportunities wherever feasible Organising country level employers’ meet Influencing Policy changes

Contact …….. sgicevi@vsnl.net ceoicevi@gmail.com oficevi@gmail.com