Visually impaired youth at Alphapointe’s Annual Technology Camp learn coding, build robots

Courtesy Alphapointe

This week, Alphapointe enabled visually impaired and blind youth to learn text-based programming, robot building, and cybersecurity in their Annual Technology Camp (ATC). The camp was co-sponsored by EnterpriseKC and Cyber.org. This was the latest in a series of Alphapointe youth-based summer programs.

“As an organization focused on regional economic development, EnterpriseKC is thrilled to be co-hosting such an incredible event in our community,” says Lindy Jensen, Cluster Operative at EnterpriseKC. “We are committed to engaging with individuals at all levels who possess the passion and skills necessary to succeed in cybersecurity.”

ATC is led by technology experts, including a former NASA cyber expert. The campers build their robots through adaptive technology, screen magnifiers, and headsets. They assemble the robots and program them to move around and make sounds. 

“The campers can get assistance during the assembly process, but also they get good at seeing with their fingers,” says Scott Cotter, Alphapointe Communications Director. “It’s pretty astonishing to see.”

The cybersecurity industry is rapidly growing and creating hundreds of thousands of job openings. Computer programming is a skill that visually impaired youth can enjoy and excel at, while also creating possibilities for a future career path. 

“Kids, adults, seniors with visual impairments–whether it’s low vision or complete blindness–can do anything that we can do,” says Cotter. “They just do it differently. We believe that because we see it every day.”