International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Supplies ICT Assistive Equipment to Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities Inc. with NTRC and Government of Dominica Collaboration
02 September 2020
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the Government of Dominica through the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Broadcasting has procured and is delivering Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Assistive equipment with accessories and peripherals for visually impaired to the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities Inc.
The ITU has stated its continued commitment to connecting the world through promoting ICT accessibility in order to create fair and equal opportunities for ALL citizens, including Persons with Disabilities, Women and Girls, the Elderly, Indigenous people and others that are still unserved and even more so during this COVID-19 pandemic.
ITU actively contributes to the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities within the UN system. ITU also contributes to the work of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The ICT Assistive equipment will contribute to empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and will provide some avenue for inclusiveness and equality. This collaboration is also in synergy with Dominica’s Universal Access policy administered by the NTRC. The NTRC assiduously engaged in collaboration with the ITU in the procurement of this equipment through its liaison with the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities Inc. and ITU.
Statistically it is determined that about 15 per cent of the world’s population lives with a disability. This represents about 1.2 billion people globally. ICTs, such as mobile phones, satellites or the Internet, are a unique infrastructure that expand access to key public services, promoting digital inclusion. Significant progress has already been made throughout the world in that, persons living with disabilities are already benefitting from the advantages of ICT-enabled applications.
But more needs to be done. To extend the benefits of ICTs to all, ICTs have to be made accessible to persons living with disabilities, so these technologies constitute an opportunity and not a barrier.
It is against this backdrop that ITU is collaborating with the Ministry, the NTRC in Dominica in making some contribution towards ICT accessibility to persons living with disabilities, and to achieving equitable communications for everyone.
The equipment consists of:
- Eight (8) Apple iPad Air Tablet
- Five (5) HumanWire Victor Reader Stream New Generation
- Five (5) custom-built HP EliteOne 800 G5 AIO Desktop
- Two (2) HP Page-Wide Pro 452dw Color Printer
- Two (2) PLA29757 Pearl Reading Camera Bundle
- Five (5) Nuance Dragon Professional Group 15.0 License
This procurement will undoubtedly assist greatly in accelerating the process of providing access to ICT services for the PWD community in Dominica where the need exists. They will expectedly provide a means for developing the capacity of the community of PWDs to harness these enablers to generate innovation and a better quality of life.
The benefits anticipated are, inter alia:
- Lower barriers of technology, knowledge, and availability of ICTs to PWDs
- Nodes for stimulating social community interaction among PWDs
- Providing a means of acquiring and transmitting of information rapidly and efficiently
- Promoting more widespread uptake of ICT and new technologies
- Providing an accessible base for education, training and business services for PWDs
About the International Telecommunication Union - ITU
ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – (ICTs).
ITU is committed to connecting all the world's people – wherever they live and whatever their means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone's right to communicate.
Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, we allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. Every time you make a phone call via the mobile, access the Internet or send an email, you are benefitting from the work of ITU.
ITU's global membership includes 193 Member States as well as some 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
Headquartered in Geneva, ITU’s network of six Regional and eight Area Offices helps to maintain direct contact with national authorities, regional telecommunication organizations and other key stakeholders.
https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx
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