Khaberni -- The Directorate of Education for the Al-Tafilah region announced the launch of an innovative student project under the slogan "Smart Stick – My Safe Step", a technological system to help the visually impaired, during the events of the inclusive education forum held under the slogan "Meeting our Promise", in an educational scene that embodies a visionary educational perspective transcending classroom boundaries towards innovating real community solutions.
Dr. Imran Al-Lassasemeh, the Director of Education for Al-Tafilah, affirmed that the innovation project represents a new turning point in empowering visually impaired individuals, marking a crucial step towards enhancing their independence in safely and confidently conducting their daily lives, aligning with the directions of the Jordanian Ministry of Education in transforming challenges into tangible creative opportunities within the school environment.
He explained that the concept of "My Safe Step" originated within the classroom, when students Sarah Al-Hanaqta and Zeinab Al-Wahoush, under the supervision of teachers Ahlam Al-Badayneh and Amal Al-Sabayleh, initiated the development of a prototype smart stick to serve the blind. With support from the school principal Naseem Al-Swalqah and technical follow-up from the special education supervisors at the Directorate, Ms. Nuha Khresat and Dr. Amjad Al-Mirafi, the initiative evolved from a school activity to an institutional project subjected to advanced research and development standards.
The teachers noted the idea stemmed from a poignant human situation when teacher Ahlam Al-Badayneh observed a person with a visual disability using a simple wooden stick heading to the mosque, which was inadequate to safeguard him from stumbling hazards. This motivated them to transform technology into a "companion of safety" providing users with full confidence during movement and transportation.
The project leaders highlighted that "My Safe Step" is considered a comprehensive technological system, not just a conventional electronic stick. It relies on an Arduino system for control and central data processing, dual sensors for proactive obstacle detection within ranges of 12 cm and 40 cm, alongside an AI-supported camera operating through algorithms to analyze scenes, recognize images, and convert them into immediate voice instructions, in addition to an advanced sound alert system and a storage memory to support future learning operations and improve response accuracy.
They pointed out that the presentation of the project at the "Meeting our Promise" forum underscores Al-Tafilah's commitment to producing direct community impact initiatives, enhancing inclusive education concepts, and translating them into practical tools serving the most needy groups.
