FITA launches Crimsonwing-developed educational software

Nitghallem Bil-Kompjuter is a new educational software recently developed by Crimsonwing for use and distribution by the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA).

Developed by a small team from Crimsonwing Ltd, Nitghallem bil-Kompjuter was developed in C#.NET running on Windows 2005 Server and based on the Microsoft.Net platform. It forms part of a collaborative effort on Crimsonwing's part to provide assistance and expertise in support of FITA.

Nitghallem bil-Kompjuter helps teach the letters of the Maltese alphabet. Users can display a word starting with the relevant letter of the alphabet.

An image of the object described by the word is displayed and both the letter and the word are read out by the computer. Similarly, the numbers 0 to 9 can show up on screen, with a group of items equal to the number being displayed. Again, the computer reads out the number.

Navigation of the interface can be managed either with the keyboard or with the mouse pointer. A scanning system is also available - this allows users who use single switches to operate the software more easily.

A slideshow feature enables users to cycle through the alphabet letters or numbers automatically. Both the scanning system and the slideshow feature can be customised to match the user's preferences. Advanced users may also customise the words, images and sounds.

The software comes in two slightly different versions. Although both are accessible, one is designed to be even more compatible with the WindowEyes screen reader software, used by the visually impaired.

The software has been tested for use by both intellectually and visually impaired people and has since been launched. It is now available from FITA for free but subject to a copy fee of Lm1.

FITA, founded jointly in 1999 by the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) and the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Ltd (MITTS), is a non-governmental organisation responsible for making IT accessible to disabled people in Malta.

With a staff complement of just two, FITA has made great inroads as an advocate for ICT literacy in the field of disability.

This new software is a step in the right direction promoting education as one of the foundation's backbones. The software covers basic literacy and numeracy in Maltese.

For more information contact Stanley Debono, FITA's executive co-ordinator, at Stanley.debono@ gov.mt or visit www.knpd.org/mittsfita