Apple launches new programme to teach blind children how to code

An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan. [Photo: Mirror]

In the hopes of making coding more accessible, Apple has launched a new programme in the UK today.

The tech giant has partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to launch Everyone Can Code - a programme that teaches blind children to learn and write coding.

Children will learn to code via the Swift Playgrounds app, which teaches coding through fun cartoons and puzzles.

Alongside the app, children will also be provided with braille versions of the puzzles.

Additionally, users will have access to Apple’s screen reading technology, VoiceOver, allowing them to use Swift Playgrounds without needing to see the screen.

The programme launched in the US back in May, and has been very successful.

Speaking at the time, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said: “Apple’s mission is to make products as accessible as possible.

 “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 schools around the world serving students with disabilities.”

Sarah Herrlinger, Director of accessibility programmes for Apple, said:

"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 programme is free for students and teachers in the UK from today.