ICT for Special Needs Providing Equal Opportunities ICT

ICT for Special Needs “ Providing Equal Opportunities “ ICT Trust Fund Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Presented by Hoda Dahroug November 2007

Agenda n ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities” n Sample Projects for special needs n Recommendations

Agenda n ICT Trust Fund

Ministry of Communications & Information Technology ICT Trust Fund n Established In January 2002 n Founders: • Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT). • The United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Egypt

n Mission: ICT Trust Fund Foster sustainable socio-economic development using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) n Vision: Public Social Private Partnerships between the Government, the Private Sector and the Civil Society is an essential base for implementing Programs and Initiatives aiming at maximizing the utilization of ICT for Development n Strategies: • Establishing public-private partnerships. • Raising awareness of the developmental potential of information and communication technology. • Making ICT more accessible and affordable to ALL CITIZENS. • Using information and communication technology to further development.

Agenda n ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”

Enabling Environment n n UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Progress in the world in ICT development has opened up many opportunities for people with disabilities especially in matters of networking, solidarity, employment and independent living. Assistive computer technology and other augmentative communication products make for easy access to information and communication by people with disabilities. Political Support & The emerge of a Socio-awareness & needs

Challenges n n n Lack of centers/ institutions to serve and support children with disabilities and their parents Lack of awareness on the importance and the impact of using ICT in education of special needs Lack of qualified trained teachers on the use of ICT to support the education of children with disabilities Limited Government Budget channeled for special needs Limited Number of ICT tools for special needs

Special Mission for “Disabilities” All People with Special Needs can serve our society and participate fully as equal citizens using ICT

Principal Guidelines § Integrating special needs for disabilities as an integral part of the national strategies § Improving their living conditions, specially in urban and rural areas § Promoting and encouraging the development of ICT-based Universal Design Communication tools in order to face barriers in their participation as Equal members § Partnering with relevant stakeholders (Government, NGOs, and private sector )

ICT Trust Fund Approach First Approach Develop special needs pilot projects using ICT Second Approach Adapt implemented projects to serve people with special needs

Areas of Concern Education Employment Participation Capacity Building Income generation Public Services Access

Agenda n ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities” n Sample Projects for special needs

Sample of Projects for Special Needs Develop Special Needs Pilot Projects ICTARB Deaf Communication CD MAIS Project The Community Development Portal IT Clubs

ICTARB (Visual Impairments) Partners : UNDP – ICTDAR - MCIT n n The visually-impaired make up a large percentage of the people with special needs in the Arab region- 7 Million according to an estimate by the WHO. ICTARB uses technology to address the needs of the visually impaired; it provides specialized tools made available through community access centers, allowing them to have access to training, knowledge, and services. n Estimated Number of beneficiaries used ICTARB center in Egypt (2005 – 2007): • No. of visually impaired & blinds completed the training 425 • No. of visually impaired & blinds used the centers facilities 1403 • No. of visually impaired & blinds used the Audio/Braille library 1302 • No. deaf & mute persons used the centers facilities 608

DEAF Communication CD Partners : Vodafone - MCIT An Interactive multimedia CD n Help the hearing impaired to communicate with each other and with the society n Increase the dictionary of hearing impaired and provide a unified finger and sign languages n Strengthen personal skills, independence, confidence, motivation and social contact n Train relevant instructors and family members on sign language

MAIS (Movimento per l’Autosviluppo, l’Interscambio e la Solidarità) (Movement for Empowerment, Exchange and Solidarity) Capacity Building Program n provides computer facilities for hearing/vision impaired in the deprived, remote rural areas in Sohag Governorate n 2 Schools, 4 NGOs n 443 Trainees, 77 hearing/vision impaired

The Community Development Portal Empowering communities through n The provision of easy access to the information they need n To widen their horizons www. n To increase their future and career opportunities Family Portal • • • Encourage the contribution of people with special needs, in order to bridge the gap of digital exclusion Provide information in Text/Voice formats Features specially designed to improve the accessibilities for users with special needs . com

IT Clubs n Bring the latest Information technology to the grass roots and make it an integral part of local communities n Provide a solution to problems of affordability, accessibility and awareness n New concept: Mobile IT clubs (MITC) n 32 IT Clubs are for Special Needs Demo

Impact • • • Promote positive attitudes towards Disabilities Support learning through collaboration, data exploration, communication and creativity. Create opportunities for participation, education, employment, income generation and leadership

Agenda n ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities” n Implemented Projects n Recommendations

Recommendations n n n The need for allies and supporters is paramount. Work together with partners in the field of disabilities, with individuals as well as organizations and policy-makers. Increase public and civil society awareness of the impact of using ICT for special needs and non formal education Support the development of ICT based localized educational programs and content for different types of special disabilities and for non formal education. Create a network of partners and stakeholders supporting people with special needs in order to disseminate information, best practices and tools to Partners in developing countries. Facilitate and support training of teachers, consultants and institutions on the use of ICT tools for special needs.

Disabled + ICT = Enabled Disabled + ICT + Multi-stakeholder + Projects = “Equal Opportunities”

Your feedback, suggestions, or partnership will be highly appreciated Thank you Egypt ICT Trust Fund Ministry of communication and information technology spn@ictfund. org. eg