Under the patronage of his Excellency Dr. Khaled Toukan Minister of education, two school labs specially equipped for blind children were inaugurated on December 6th. The two labs are part of Coca-Cola pioneer "Talabet Al-Azem," Students of Resolve, project - "Schools.com" to computerize schools in Jordan. This Coca-Cola project was launched under the patronage of her majesty queen Rania back in April 2001.
The inauguration of the two computer labs in Abdullah Bin Maktoum School in Marka and the Elementary Mixed School for blind comes within Coca-Cola's long term initiative to equip all elementary schools in Jordan with computer labs. Coca-Cola had prepared, furnished, and offered the software called (JAWS) specially made to enable the blind to use computers, and will offer training for teachers to enable them to train the children to use the program efficiently.
His Excellency Minister of education, Dr. Khaled Toukan commented "I was honored today to inaugurate the second computer lab which operates on "JAWS" system in this special school. This lab was a generous donation by the Coca-Cola Company which initiated this project to give access to the visually impaired students to modern technology and computers, enabling them to become active members in Jordanian society. "
Mr. Antoine Tayyar, Public Relations Manager at Coca-Cola Middle-East explained "Since 2001, Coca-Cola has achieved a lot in the project "Schools.com" to computerize schools in Jordan. Today we are targeting the visually impaired students because we believe that they have a vital role to play in contributing to the development of Jordanian society."
"Schools.com" is a project initiated by Coca Cola. The project's main objective is to install computer labs in a number of schools across Jordan, particularly the schools that are not included in the Ministry of Education's current plan for school computerization. This initiative targets schools in remote and deprived areas to ensure success in their educational futures, and to become computer literate and easily interact with modern technologies at an early age.
"JAWS" is a special program made to enable the blind to use computers easily. In addition to equipping the key board with (brail) system, the new program has additional device that tells the user the key that is currently used. With this technique the blind children will be able to use the system with minor help.
This project is complementary to the national drive led by Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania to develop education and computerize schools as a first step on the road to transforming Jordan into an Information Technology and communications hub in the region.
-Ends-
Note to Editor:
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's best-known brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola Light, Fanta and Sprite. As well as marketing a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day.
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Ali Faour, Promoseven Weber Shandwick PR,
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Email: ali.faour@promoseven.com
© Press Release 2004
