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Universal Service Fund (USF) Pakistan’s Special Project on ICT for Persons with Disabilities Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Mainstreaming ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Noshin Masud Manager-Communications Universal Service Fund. Introduction of USF.
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Universal Service Fund (USF) Pakistan’s Special Project on ICT for Persons with Disabilities Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Mainstreaming ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Noshin Masud Manager-Communications Universal Service Fund
Introduction of USF Established by Ministry of Information Technology Pakistan in December 2006 to: • Increase telecom penetration in the country • Broadband proliferation • Enhancement of e-services
Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan • More than 7% of the population living with disabilities • 1.6 million people with visual disability • 5 million people with low vision
USF Special Projects on ICT for Persons with Disabilities • Background Announcement of 2 projects by Prime Minister of Pakistan on World Telecom & Information Society Day 2008 • Project for Persons with low vision with Al-Shifa Eye Trust • Project for Persons with visual disability with Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Project with Al-Shifa Eye Trust Introduction of Al-Shifa Eye Trust • A non-governmental, non-political, charitable organization • Aims of the trust are prevention and control of blindness • Five components at all four provinces
Introduction of Al-Shifa Eye-Trust • Al Shifa Eye Trust – Rawalpindi • Al-Shifa Eye Trust - Sukkur • Al-Shifa Eye Trust-Kohat
Low Vision Centre at Al-Shifa Eye Trust • Established for the first time in Pakistan in 1993 • Equipped with devices for training and rehabilitation of people with low vision • Patient turnover -1,000-1,500 every year • Prescribed or dispensed over 3,600 low vision aids.
Collaboration of Universal Service Fund & Al-Shifa Eye Trust Contract worth Rs. 25 Million (300,000 dollars) signed on July 07, 2008 to up-grade and establish low vision centres at Al-Shifa Eye Trust through ICT equipment.
Objectives of the Project • Strengthening the low vision centre at Rawalpindi (Punjab) • Upgrade and replicate the low vision centre at Sukkur (Sindh) • To establish a low vision center at Kohat (NWFP)
Equipment funded by USF • PCs & Accessories • Servers • Networking Equipment • Broadband Connectivity • Specialized ICT Equipment - Talking Caller ID
Equipment Provided by USF - Braille Translator - Braille Notetaker - Satellite Braille Display
Equipment Provided by USF - Zoom text large print keyboard - Optec Clearview-Colored Wide Screen - Big button mobile phone
Equipment Provided by USF - Magnifying Filter Screen - Scanning & Reading Appliances - Talking Calculator
Equipment provided by USF - Text to audio software - JAWS Screen Reading Software
Project with Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (PFFB) • Introduction of PFFB • A national, non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) for the well being of persons with visual disability • Founded in 1988 by two visually impaired persons
Projects of PFFB • Audio World Program - Providing education, information and entertainment through audio cassettes throughout Pakistan - 3000 students benefiting from this service - Recorded the curriculum and reading material • IT Helpline Program - An internet café for persons with visual disability functioning since January 08, 2007 - Improving computing skills of visually impaired persons
Collaboration of USF & PFFB Contract worth Rs. 6.2 Million (75,000 dollars) signed on September 15, 2008 • Objectives • Digitalization of Audio World Library • Expanding accessible internet café’
Facilities Provided by USF • Audio World Program • Audio Duplicator Machine • Audio Decks • Professional Sound Cards • CD Burner • DVD Burner
Facilities Provided by USF • IT Helpline Programme • Desktop Computers • Laptops • JAWS Software • Open Book Scanning and Reading Software • Magic Screen Magnification Software • Broadband Connectivity