What is the name of your organization?
The Read to Learn Foundation
What is the name of your solution?
Inclusive Literacy for All
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
A scalable, tech-enabled learning solution integrating AI, AR, Braille and Sign Language for children with disabilities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Kampala, Uganda
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
UGA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
In Uganda, over 2.5 million children live with disabilities that hinder their access to education. Despite the introduction of Universal Primary Education, Inclusive learning remains a significant challenge. Many schools lack the necessary resources and trained personnel to support children with disabilities, leading to high dropout rates and low literacy levels among these students. Additionally there is a scarcity of accessible learning materials, such as braille and sign language resources, further marginalizing these learners. Our solution addressed these issues by providing inclusive, tech-enabled educational tools and training teachers to support diverse learning needs, aiming to bridge the educational gap for children with disabilities in Uganda.
What is your solution?
Our solution is a comprehensive, inclusive literacy program designed to support children with disabilities in Uganda. It combines accessible educational materials with innovative technology to create an engaging learning experience.
Key components include:
Accessible Story Books: we produce culturally relevant children's story books available in print, braille and sign language formats, ensuring all children, regardless of their ability, can access quality reading materials.
Play based learning materials: to reinforce literacy skills we provide supplementary materials such as puzzles, story play mats and charts. These tools support hands on played based learning, creating various learning styles.
SOMA App: Our AI powered multilingual reading application offers audio and video versions of our story books, making them accessible to children with visual or auditory impairments. The app includes interactive features like games and quizzes to enhance engagement.
Teacher Training: we train educators in inclusive, play based teaching methodologies equipping them to effectively support diverse learners in their classrooms.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution directly serves children with disabilities in Uganda, a gorup that has been historically underserved in the education sector. Despite the introduction of Universal Primary Education, Inclusive learning remains a significant challenge. Many schools lack the necessary resources and trained personnel to support children with disabilities, leading to high dropout rates and low literacy levels among these students. Additionally, there is scarcity of accessible learbing materials, such as braille and sign language resources, further marginalizing these learners.
Our inclusive literacy program addresses these challenges by providing accessible educational materials in braille and sign language, integrating AI powered tools to support diverse learning needs, and training teachers in inclusive play based teaching methodologies. By doing so we aim to bridge the educational gap for children with disabilities in Uganda ensuirng they have the tools and support needed and support needed to thrive academically.