TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) programme in the Gulf region and Iraq has launched its ‘IT Skills for All’ initiative in Qatar, for people with special needs.

The foundation is urging both the government and private sector to support efforts to increase the number of computer training facilities for people with special needs.

ICDL GCC Foundation pointed out that establishing IT facilities free from physical barriers that might restrict access to the physically disabled is an important step that will make learning less challenging for differently-abled individuals and enhance their potential to contribute to social and economic development.

ICDL GCC Foundation has been actively lobbying with concerned government organisations and businesses across the region in support of its ‘IT Skills for All’ initiative.

ICDL also enforces an equal opportunity policy through its ICDL accredited centers to improve the learning environment standards for the benefit of people with special needs.

This involves facilities free from physical barriers that might restrict access to the physically disabled.

Dedicated accredited centres also exist for people with special needs offering Braille embossed material, screen-readers, hearing devices, specially-designed keyboards and/or special assistance.

By adopting best practices and utilising the latest technologies available, learning can become less challenging for differentlyabled individuals.

Jamil Ezzo, director general of the ICDL GCC Foundation, said, “Physically challenged individuals are an integral part of our society, and given the opportunity they are fully capable of achieving excellence.

That is why we are fully committed to providing equal opportunity to all.

“In line with this, we aim to establish new strategic alliances in order to expand the scope of our initiative to reach more people with special needs across the region.

These steps aim to promote the concepts of labour integration and skills and capabilities development, which will enable people with special needs to tap some of the available opportunities in the open labour market,” he added.

Through this initiative, ICDL GCC Foundation also aims to raise awareness on the importance of people with special needs and their ability to achieve excellence, creativity and innovation, which empowers them to support sustainable development in the Gulf region.

The success of ICDL GCC Foundation’s efforts in the spread of IT literacy among people with special needs can be gauged by the fact that around 200 blind candidates from across the UAE are going through ICDL certification programme at the ICDL training and testing centre at General Information Authority in Abu Dhabi.

The centre was set up specifically for the visually impaired, and is the first of its kind in the UAE.