BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO - A training course on computer software for visually impaired people throughout the NWT was held at the Yellowknife Inn starting on Mar. 15 to Mar. 26.

Sonya Rey from Yellowknife learns the Job Access With Speech program for the visually impaired on Monday at the Yellowknife Inn's Gold Room. - Adrian Lysenko/NNSL photo

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in partnership with the Canadian Council for the Blind offered the course, which attracted residents from Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Behchoko and Fort MacPherson.

"It can be very isolating for people who live with vision loss," said Norma Jean Jarvis, regional manager for CNIB.

"This can make a huge difference."

Funds for the instructors to travel came from the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. While participants were able to travel from through the territory with funding from the learning supports persons with disabilities from the GNWT.

Participants learned Zoom text, which magnifies portions of a computer screen and Job Access With Speech, a sound output program for visually impaired people.

Sonya Rey from Yellowknife was involved in the program. Before her eye sight began to diminish she was working on writing a book on cultural stories.

"Writing began to put a strain on my eyesight," said Rey.

Other than finishing her book she hopes to use the skills to get a new career.

"There can be a lot of frustration," said Rey on trying to learn the software.

She said the instructors were very patient and helpful.

"It's hard to teach someone when you have 12 computers speaking at the same time."

Cherrly McNab with the Canadian Council for the Blind was one of the instructors who travelled to Yellowknife.

"This is something beneficial for people with little or no vision," said McNab.

"It gives them access to programs and the Internet."

The instructors have been travelling from Halifax to Vancouver teaching people with visual disabilities the software.

On Monday MLA Sandy Lee and Jackson Lafferty were at Yellowknife Inn to talk to students and instructors.

"This can be like a vehicle for you to drive anywhere in the world," said Lee."It's instant access."

The program also gives a chance for individuals to socialize and even possibly to become instructors themselves.