Inclusive Education Campaign

This image was taken during a training session held at the computer lab of Patandi Maalum Secondary School. The session was part of the Wiki4Inclusion Campaign, an international initiative organized by the Wikimedia Foundation. The campaign’s goal is to ensure inclusive participation of people with disabilities by teaching them how to contribute to digital knowledge platforms like Wikipedia and Wikidata.

The people in the photo include:

• The Head of School – showing leadership support for inclusive learning.

• The District Education Officer – present to observe and support the efforts of using ICT to uplift learners with special needs.

• Wiki4Inclusion Facilitators and Trainers – a team of volunteers and tech trainers who led the practical sessions on how to use computers for writing and publishing.

All the individuals are wearing branded t-shirts representing the Wiki4Inclusion campaign, symbolizing their commitment to the cause.

🎯 Purpose of the Session

The main objective was to teach deaf students how to use computers to:

• Write stories and articles about their school, teachers, and experiences.

• Publish content on Wikipedia and add structured data to Wikidata.

• Express their voices through digital media – many for the first time.

This session gave students an opportunity to use real-world platforms to tell their stories, helping others understand what it means to study in a special needs environment.

💡 Key Learning Activities

• Introduction to Computers: Basic computer literacy (typing, saving documents, opening browsers).

• Wikipedia Training: Students learned how to:

  • Create Wikipedia user accounts.

  • Write basic articles in simple language.

  • Add reliable sources and edit content.

• Wikidata Basics: Students were introduced to the idea of structured data and how schools or events can be represented through it.

• Group Collaboration: Students worked in pairs or small groups with sign language interpreters and trainers.

🧠 Educational Impact

• Promotes Self-Expression: Students learned that they can write, share, and be heard online.

• Boosts Confidence in Technology: Many students gained hands-on experience with laptops and digital tools.

• Raises Awareness: By writing about themselves and their school, they help the global community understand the needs and talents of people with disabilities.

🏁 Conclusion

This training reflects the power of inclusive education and the importance of access to technology for all learners. The image is a symbol of how collaboration between education stakeholders and global organizations like Wikimedia Foundation can make a meaningful difference.