ICT for Special NeedsICT for Special Needs
“ Providing Equal Opportunities “
ICT Trust FundICT Trust FundMinistry of Communication and Information TechnologyMinistry of Communication and Information Technology
Presented byPresented byHoda DahrougHoda Dahroug
November 2007November 2007
AgendaAgenda
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”
Sample Projects for special needsSample Projects for special needs
RecommendationsRecommendations
AgendaAgenda
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
Established In January 2002Established In January 2002
Founders: Founders:
• Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
(MCIT).(MCIT).
• The United Nations Development Program The United Nations Development Program ((UNDPUNDP).).
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology Egypt
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund Mission:Mission:
Foster sustainable socio-economic development using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Vision: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
Strategies: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. .
AgendaAgenda
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”
Enabling EnvironmentEnabling Environment UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesUN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Progress in the world in ICT development has opened up many Progress in the world in ICT development has opened up many opportunities for people with disabilities especially in matters of opportunities for people with disabilities especially in matters of networking, solidarity, employment and independent living.networking, solidarity, employment and independent living.
Assistive computer technology and other augmentative communication Assistive computer technology and other augmentative communication products make for easy access to information and communication by products make for easy access to information and communication by people with disabilities. people with disabilities.
Political Support & The emerge of a Socio-awareness & needsPolitical Support & The emerge of a Socio-awareness & needs
ChallengesChallenges Lack of centers/ institutions to serve and support Lack of centers/ institutions to serve and support
children with disabilities and their parentschildren with disabilities and their parents
Lack of awareness on the importance and the impact of Lack of awareness on the importance and the impact of using ICT in education of special needsusing ICT in education of special needs
Lack of qualified trained teachers on the use of ICT to Lack of qualified trained teachers on the use of ICT to support the education of children with disabilitiessupport the education of children with disabilities
Limited Government Budget channeled for special Limited Government Budget channeled for special needs needs
Limited Number of ICT tools for special needsLimited Number of ICT tools for special needs
Special Mission for “DisabilitiesSpecial Mission for “Disabilities””
All People with Special NeedsAll People with Special Needs
cancan serve our society serve our societyand participate fully as equal citizensand participate fully as equal citizens
usingusing ICTICT
Principal GuidelinesPrincipal 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 ApproachICT Trust Fund Approach
Second ApproachSecond Approach Adapt implemented Adapt implemented
projects to serve projects to serve people with special people with special
needsneeds
First ApproachFirst ApproachDevelopDevelop
special needs pilot projects using special needs pilot projects using ICTICT
Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern
Participation
Education
Employment
Public Services Access
Capacity Building
Income generation
AgendaAgenda
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”
Sample Projects for special needsSample Projects for special needs
Sample of Projects Sample of Projects for Special Needsfor Special Needs
DevelopSpecial Needs Pilot Projects
ICTARBICTARBDeaf Communication CDDeaf Communication CDMAIS ProjectMAIS Project
The Community Development PortalThe Community Development Portal
IT ClubsIT Clubs
ICTARB (Visual Impairments) ICTARB (Visual Impairments) Partners : UNDP – ICTDAR - MCITPartners : UNDP – ICTDAR - MCIT
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.
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 CDDEAF Communication CDPartners : Vodafone - MCITPartners : Vodafone - MCIT
An Interactive multimedia CDAn Interactive multimedia CD
Help the hearing impaired to communicate with each other
and with the society
Increase the dictionary of hearing impaired
and provide a unified finger and sign languages
Strengthen personal skills, independence, confidence,
motivation and social contact
Train relevant instructors and family members on sign
language
MAISMAIS
Capacity Building ProgramCapacity Building Program
provides computer facilities for provides computer facilities for
hearing/vision impaired in the deprived, hearing/vision impaired in the deprived,
remote rural areas in Sohag Governorateremote rural areas in Sohag Governorate
2 Schools, 4 NGOs2 Schools, 4 NGOs
443 Trainees, 77 hearing/vision impaired443 Trainees, 77 hearing/vision impaired
)Movimento per l’Autosviluppo, l’Interscambio e la Solidarità((Movement for Empowerment, Exchange and Solidarity)
The Community Development PortalThe Community Development Portal
Empowering communities through The provision of easy access to the information they need
To widen their horizons
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
www. .com
IT ClubsIT Clubs
Demo
Bring the latest Information technology to the
grass roots and make it an integral part of local
communities
Provide a solution to problems of
affordability, accessibility and awareness
New concept: Mobile IT clubs (MITC)
32 IT Clubs are for Special Needs
ImpactImpact
• Promote positive attitudes towards DisabilitiesPromote positive attitudes towards Disabilities
• Support learning through collaboration, data exploration, Support learning through collaboration, data exploration, communication and creativity.communication and creativity.
• Create opportunities for participation, education, Create opportunities for participation, education, employment, income generation and leadershipemployment, income generation and leadership
AgendaAgenda
ICT Trust FundICT Trust Fund
ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”ICT Trust Fund & “Disabilities”
Implemented ProjectsImplemented Projects
RecommendationsRecommendations
RecommendationsRecommendations 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 + Multi-stakeholder + ProjectsDisabled + ICT + Multi-stakeholder + Projects==
““Equal OpportunitiesEqual Opportunities””
Disabled + ICT = EnabledDisabled + ICT = Enabled
Egypt ICT Trust FundMinistry of communication and information technology
Your feedback, suggestions, or partnership will be highly Your feedback, suggestions, or partnership will be highly appreciatedappreciated
Thank youThank you
