What is the problem we are addressing?
I fully believe in the importance of integrating the children with special needs and preventing their isolation; especially those children with “Down Syndrome” because their presence is often limited to the support rooms within the school. Therefore, I have added a unique corner in the computer lab and named it “Weyak”. It has been marked with a special sign so that female students with “Down Syndrome” can recognize and use it, and thus encourage them to be present in the computer lab. I also noticed during my work at Al Khansaa Primary School for Girls that there is a lack of interest and desire among the fifth and second grades students with “Down Syndrome” in joining the computer labs during practice classes, recess time and leisure time. I also noticed their feeling of discomfort in facing the computer and their inability to use its physical components and different programs. Hence, I tried to answer the following question:How can I integrate female students who have “Down Syndrome” with other students in computer labs in Al-Khansa School by allocating them “Weyak” corner?
What is our solution?
Establishing “Weyak” corner inside computer labs in Qatar’s independent schools. It is a unique corner that contains a desktop computer made up of physical components dedicated to the students with “Down Syndrome”, such as:
- A special mouse that fits the shape, size and grip muscles of children with “Down Syndrome”.
- A customized, large-sized keyboard with large buttons and letters in a clear and large font in Arabic and another English keyboard; both arranged in alphabetical order so that they take into account the vision impairment experienced by children with “Down Syndrome” and to reduce the distraction of their focus and any incidence of errors when trying to press on certain characters due to their poor ability to perform fine skills.
- Protection screen placed on the computer monitor to reduce the damages of reflection caused by the monitor.
- Accessories such as speakers and screen to enlarge what is displayed on the monitor.
- The Talking Pen that takes into account the relaxation of their lower jaw and their inability to pronounce properly.
- Specification and specialization of the computers’ programs. This program takes into account the inability of this group of students to speak properly. It helps to read information and repeat it so that the student can self-train without feeling embarrassed or bored. This “corner” is marked with a distinctive logo which helps preserve the privacy of this place.
An overview of our impact
- Adding “Weyak” corner to the computer lab helps break the isolation of the Down Syndrome students in the integration schools in the State of Qatar.
- “Weyak” corner proved to be effective and useful, and it made a great improvement on the students’ personalities and enabled them to achieve the maximum of the computer skills assigned to them.
- Through observation and follow-up, we found out that the percentage of students with Down Syndrome to enter the computer lab has increased, and the percentage of their isolation in the support room allocated to them during school hours has decreased.
What are our future goals?
Delving more into this positivist study to know the recent global trends of technology intended for female students with Down Syndrome.
How can someone else implement it? What do they need?
- Bringing the concept of “Weyak” corner within the computer labs into the mainstream of the independent schools in order to allow students with Down Syndrome to use it at any time during school hours.
- Highlighting it in the local market in order to make it easier for parents to purchase the appropriate computer for Down Syndrome kids easily and anywhere.
- Shafallah Center: Adopting the concept of “Weyak” corner inside their computer labs and allow all its students to use it.
- Integration schools: Educating students about the importance of the “Weyak” corner for female students with Down Syndrome, and preserving the privacy of its use by only female students with Down Syndrome.
- I also recommend adding other accessories that enhance the importance of “Weyak” corner, which can be provided by technology support centers in Qatar or purchased online from international companies specializing in technology for people with Down Syndrome.
