Apple wants everyone to code, and I mean everyone, not even the blind shall be left behind. The Cupertino company has launched a new program in the UK to teach blind kids how to code.
Apple, through partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People has launched Everyone Can Code program, seeking to teach blind children how to write code. The kids will learn through the Swift Playgrounds app that teaches using cartoons and puzzles.
Alongside the Swift Playground app, the kids will also be given braille versions of the puzzles. The learners will be able to use Apple’s screen reading technology and VoiceOver, which will allow them to use the Swift Playground without the need to see the screen.
The Everyone Can Code program seeking to teach the blind how to code was first launched in the US back in May 2018, and has proven to be a success.
“Apple’s mission is to make products as accessible as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO.
“We created Everyone Can Code because we believe all students deserve an opportunity to learn the language of technology. We hope to bring Everyone Can Code to even more school around the world serving students with disabilities.”
Sarah Herrlinger, the Director of Accessibility Program for Apple added: “One of the things we found is that some blind students didn’t think coding was accessible to them. So we’ve looked at how we get more blind students coding and are adding these new resources to the mix.
No one should have a point where someone says no, you can’t do that because of your disability. Our view is that if technology can be the scaffold that opens that door, that’s what we need to do.”
The Everyone Can Code program is accessible for free to all students and teachers across the UK.