Computer Programming Classes for the Visually Disadvantaged Applications for Spring Semester 2018 Open.

Limited Enrolment.  Apply soon!

Overview

Are you a visually impaired person who wants to learn computer programming? Vision-Aid is back with an exciting program to teach Python programming.  After successfully teaching computer programming for the visually impaired in 2016 & 2017, we are thrilled to offer an even more comprehensive program in the spring semester of 2018.

Schedule

The spring session class begins on February 26, 2018 and ends on May 25, 2018.  The course will run for around 3months.

Opportunity to participate in Hackathon

Students who successfully complete the course will be invited to attend a hackathon for the visually impaired sponsored by Vision-Aid.
All travel and lodging expenses for the conference will be borne by Vision-Aid.

Financial Aid for MIT/Stanford Online Courses

For students successfully completing this program, Vision-Aid will offer scholarships and mentorship, to pursue advanced programming courses from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Stanford Universities in the US via the edX and Coursera platforms.  (Note: Many of our students have successfully obtained MIT certificates via this program).

About the Course

During this program, the students will be introduced to computer science and programming concepts using Python, one of the most popular languages for getting started with computer programming.  Students in this Vision-Aid program will learn from the experts in the field using the best online learning resources. The classes will be offered over SKYPE. Each student will be paired with a teacher who will work with the student to guide them through the course material. The course will have a midterm and final exam. Students who complete the course will be awarded with a Vision-Aid certificate in Programming.

Cost

Vision-Aid is pleased to offer this course free of cost to the students. However, each admitted student will be expected to pay an advance deposit of Rs. 1,000 (One Thousand Rupees). If the student attends classes regularly and completes the entire course, the deposit will be fully refunded. The purpose of the deposit is to encourage students to stay committed to the course and complete it. There is no minimum passing grade required for the refund – we only expect regular and sincere participation to be eligible for the full refund.

Admission Criteria

No prior computer programming experience is necessary, but some pre-requisites do apply. The application form will outline these pre-requisites. After receipt of your application, Vision-Aid will conduct an assessment and enroll qualified students.

Time Commitment

This course is an intense programming course. It will require a minimum of 10-15 hours of study and homework each week. Students who do not put in the required time and effort may find it difficult to complete the course and master the concepts. Regular attendance and time commitment are very important.  A student should apply to the course only if they are sure they can invest the needed time. Once admitted a student MUST commit to attending all classes regularly without Exception. Any student who misses more than 2 classes without prior written permission from the program coordinator will be automatically dropped from the course and asked to reapply to the next round of classes, and someone on the waitlist will be allocated theirspace.

Why you should join?

We believe in training the students, so they can be lifelong learners,and reach their highest potential. We encourage and guide our students to participate in Hackathons such as the  Shaastra<http://www.shaastra.org/>, IIT Madras Tech Festival in Chennai.  (For a short film about the 2017 hackathon in IIT, please click the link below:  https://vimeo.com/210350738

How to apply

Please fill out the form below Please note that the demand for the course in prior semesters has been strong and we have quickly filled up the course and reached wait list status. Admission of qualified students is on first come first serve basis. You are encouraged to apply early if you are really interested! Click the link below to apply:  https://tinyurl.com/zsj35th

Application Deadline

The applications are due by January 28th, 2018.  The admission results will be announced by February 11 and classes will start by February 26, 2018 and will run through May 25, 2018.

Call for Volunteer Teachers

If you are an expert in Python programming and want to teach or assist in this existing program, please provide your details using the following link and we would love to talk to you.

https://tinyurl.com/h2lapwc

Questions?

If you have any additional questions on the program, please send us an email to info@visionaid.org<mailto:info@visionaid.org