ICT & Integration of People with Disabilities

1. ICT & Integration of People with Disabilities Presented by: Coordinating Office for People with Disabilities.

2. Background • The concept of disability encompasses a wide range of human conditions, poverty and disability are deeply interrelated in a complex vicious circle. • Estimates indicate that there are about 600 million people with disabilities around the world. • Three out of every four of them are living in the developing world • Half are of working age . • Half are women. • The highest incidence and prevalence of disabilities occurs in poor areas.

3. Background • In Botswana situation our education system for People with Disabilities needs imperative action. • Access to information by both Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired is a challenge. • Accommodation at the workplace for People with Disabilities needs ICT Policy Development that mainstream disability issues. • Safety Health and Environment Policies needs to include People with Disabilities.

4. ICT and disability and the link to e-government • E-government requires • Access (telecommunications, & multi-channel service delivery infrastructure), • Demand (digital literacy, capacity building, affordability, relevant content in local language) and • Participation (multi-stakeholder consultations and partnerships) • Governments pursuing this proactively • Bridging the digital divide (haves and have not's) • E-Inclusion • E-government for all

5. Goals of ICTs & Disability Work • Give people with disabilities a powerful tool in their battle to gain employment. • Increase PWD’s skills, confidence, and self-esteem. • Integrate PWD’s socially and economically into their communities; • Reduce physical or functional barriers and enlarge scope of activities available to people with disabilities.

6. How can ICTs help? ICTs have the potential to reduce discrimination and promote more opportunities to engage people with disabilities in all aspects of life. • Specialized software, e.g. sign language translation widgets or text-reading software • Specialized vocational training to perform functions within abilities • Specialized keyboards, e.g. Braille • Braille printers for conversion of local language to Braille • Touch screens • Customized workspace setup to fit a wheelchair

7. ICT TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND TEACHING SITUATIONS • The possible use of ICT to support different aspects of learning and teaching is potentially a huge field and there are various resources presenting examples of ICT being used for pedagogical and didactic purposes so as to assist in personal learning and development. • The first of these dimensions is supporting physical access to learning situations; Using computers and specially selected peripherals, connected through broadband Internet and a dedicated interface. The goal is to include the learner (who may be at home or in a hospital) in a normal class environment.

8. …….conti • The system is easily accessible and user-friendly. All the functionalities that are necessary for the teaching/learning process and communication between actors are included in the system. A dedicated environment with an intuitive interface that mirrors the learner’s classroom situation on a laptop desktop at home. It facilitates the use of IT-based learning resources, video conferencing tools and remote access by the teacher and learner to other peripherals at the school.

9. Some Examples Real-time text, video, voice is desirable for all, desirable for everyday calls and in the workplace. Essential for emergency calls

10. Agenda • ICT Education for PWD’s: For providing public ICT education to the people with disabilities, 16 registered stimulation/rehabilitation centers have been established country wide. • ICT Assistive Devices Provision: People with Disabilities who can not afford to buy ICT assistive devices are supported through the matching fund from government.

11. …….conti • ICT Assistive Technology Development Support: To raise social awareness and promote technology development for the disabled, the government holds a special exhibition and supports private companies and institutions to develop ICT assistive devices. • Content Development and Distribution: Customized content for the disabled are developed and distributed to education centers throughout the nation. Also, Ministry of Culture is developing a customized website for the blind of national e-library.

12. The Message Standards are not enough because without Implementation we do not have Accessibility. Without Universal Design being used from the very beginning of the standard writing process or Accessibility implementation becomes expensive with retro refitting. HELP stop the new barriers that are being created by new technology by using universal design from the beginning. HELP discourage the use proprietary Standards (example: Instant messaging). It causes Exclusion and thwarts interoperability. This prevents accessibility for Persons with Disability and Older Persons with Age Related Disabilities.

13. Thank You. Mr. Thomas Motingwa. Tel: 3950 887 ttmotingwa@gov.bw