Bridging the gap for persons living with disabilities
─ Ministry of Public Telecommunications launches training programme for persons with hearing and visual disabilities
By Anara Khan
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, May 18, 2019
It is understood that fundamental to any growth and development of a nation is the engagement of its citizens – ensuring that no one is left behind. As such, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications is collaborating with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to conduct a training programme for persons with hearing and visual disabilities.
The programme – ‘Internet for @all’ spans five days and is designed to teach participants to access and navigate the internet, and attain a firmer grasp of Information Communication Technologies (ICT).
While the conference begins on Monday, May 20, it was officially launched Friday last at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC).
During brief remarks, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes said while some measures were put in place, the previous administration did not do enough to minimise the challenges faced by persons living with disabilities, however, she posited, the current administration is seeking to change that.
The Public Telecommunications Minister highlighted that the Coalition Government has already taken steps toward this goal. Among those she identified are;
“Duty-free tax concessions on imported vehicles equipped to accommodate persons with disabilities as well as a concession on smartphones and other computer devices that are preloaded with special apps and accessibility features [for persons living with disabilities].”
“Guyana is running a fast marathon to bridge the gap in internet accessibility while inculcating ITC international standards into every initiative,” the minister added.
The ‘Internet for @all’ programme is in keeping with ITU’s Plenipotentiary Resolution 200 ‘Connect 2020 Agenda for Global Telecommunication/ICT Development’ and ITU Strategic Goal for inclusiveness by providing enabling environments and ensuring accessible telecommunication is established for persons with disabilities and should be achieved by all countries by 2020”.
ITU’s Senior Programme Officer, Roxana Widmer Ilierscu and Web Accessibility Consultant, Monica Delgado gave brief presentations and a technical web accessibility demo during the launch.
The launch was attended by Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams, key stakeholders and persons with disabilities.
Images: Marceano Narine.