Formally launched in 1998 in Asia Pacific, the Cisco Networking Academy Program is an e-learning model that delivers Web-based educational content, online assessment, student performance tracking, and instructor training and support, as well as preparation for industry standard certification. With a curriculum developed by education and networking experts, the Networking Academy Program is offered by high schools, technical schools, colleges and universities, community-based organisations, and other educational programs worldwide.

The Networking Academy program provides educational institutions with leading-edge IT curricula and hands-on lab exercises to train a workforce that may attract highly desirable technology employees. The courses offered to vision impaired students consist of 2 modules of the Cisco Network Academy Program (Discovery1 and IT Essentials) into formats accessible by vision impaired users and presents these modules as an integrated training program. The program is presented over a twelve month period and provides the participants with skills to:

• install, configure, and operate computer networks,
• Resolve networking issues; and
• build a computer and install different versions of industry standard operating systems.

On completion of the program the participants will be able to move into IT positions in industry or embark on further education. It is intended that Indian students will be subsidised to complete the external (Pearson Vue examination centres) certification.

Academies established in India, during the first year, have had vision impaired local instructors trained to obtain their Cisco Instructors certification. The classes were delivered by the Cisco instructors at the Association for the Blind in WA (ABWA).

During the second year the remote instructors worked together with the CAVI staff and assist in the delivery of the training.

During the third year the remote instructors delivered the training and the ABWA staff ensured quality of the Cisco courses that were being delivered.

The current classes hav students located throughout Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany, The Philippines, South Africa, Egypt, India, and Sri Lanka.

It is worth noting that the results achieved by the vision impaired students (on line exams) compare favorably and often exceed the results achieved by sighted mainstream students enrolled at Curtin University.

Over the past 12 months, we have shown there is a proven method of remote delivery of the augmented curriculum, remote laboratories and tools so that vision impaired students may successfully complete a highly regarded industry certification that leads to otherwise unattainable employment opportunities.

Assistive Technology

One of the key aspects of the CAVI approach is the targeted use of Assistive Technology (AT) These applications allow a student to access their computer via large print or speech output. CAVI offers training in specific technologies for vision impaired students prior to their commencing the network and IT training components of the course, ensuring that students meet the prerequisite skills necessary to succeed in the course of study.

In developing countries, where the high cost of assistive technology is prohibitive (a screen reader used for voice output may cost in excess of $2,000 AU), training in the use of a free screen reader called NVDA will be given. Similar free (or open source) software is available for screen magnification or large print users.

Please also see:
Remote Laboratories Virtual Classroom
& Tactile Tools

Also see: About CAVI Meet the Staff CAVI in India CAVI in Sri Lanka Remote Laboratories, Virtual Classroom & Tactile Tools

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