Making ICT an empowering tool
There is general consensus that computer technology and electronic telecommunications have a tremendous potential to broaden the lives and increase the independence of disabled persons.However, increased reliance on ICT to distribute products and...
There is general consensus that computer technology and electronic telecommunications have a tremendous potential to broaden the lives and increase the independence of disabled persons.
However, increased reliance on ICT to distribute products and services raises concern as to whether these new services are designed to be fully accessible to all persons, including disabled persons. Without well-coordinated efforts throughout society, there is a risk that these information communications technology (ICT) developments will result in products and services which continue to broaden the information gap.
In Malta, anti-discrimination legislation entitled the Equal Opportunities Act - Disabled Persons of 2000 (EOA) is instrumental in ensuring greater inclusiveness through the removal of access barriers.
Maltese anti-discrimination legislation identifies six areas which are education, employment, goods and services, access, insurance and accommodation. Presently ICT relates mostly to the former three.
Whereas ICT usually improves the productivity of individuals, for disabled persons it represents more; it is an opportunity to communicate, gain access to education services and become gainfully employed.
The extent to which ICT can support disabled persons can be categorised into three main levels.
Some disabled individuals will easily use the same standard technology used by the non-disabled user. Though the positive impact of ICT may be great, the level of investment in ICT will be minimal. Others with varying or more severe impairments will need to use assistive ICT solutions that initially tend not to form part of standard ICT equipment. If assistive ICT is provided early on, disabled persons will be able to better use it in accessing education and eventually become gainfully employed.
Yet another group will be made up of persons with severe impairments, or a combination of impairments which restrict their ability to work and participate in society at a high level. Nonetheless ICT can also help in this case, by providing a necessary means of communication and allow individuals to make life choices.
Whatever options are available the individual should be equipped with the necessary skills and information to make an informed choice and ICT remains a very promising empowerment tool in this regard.
Malta shares the same population percentage proportion of disabled persons as the European Union, which is circa 15 per cent. The lack of natural resources meant that human resources have always played a prominent role in the Maltese economy.
The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) was established by the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Limited (MITTS) and KNPD on October 2, 2001. In line with the EOA, FITA applies the principles of the Social Model of Disability throughout its activities and initiatives.
This model of disability seeks to eliminate access barriers induced by society, through social change. It thus aims to enable individuals to contribute their full potential as part of society, irrespective of their impairment.
It does this by suggesting that ICT be used as a means to modify pre-established rules for achieving goals, instead of dwelling on the restrictions and limitations resulting from a biological impairment. Whereas impairments are usually not curable, the constraints resulting from them can often be surmounted or avoided through social change and proper accommodation.
The Foundation's early initiatives focused on the promotion of greater access to ICT, through the provision of Microsoft software, ICT equipment and internet access.
However, in itself, giving access to a computer, or any other ICT device or service, may not necessarily help. One must go beyond the basic issue of access to the larger issue of how ICT-based "solutions" can effectively help the individual.
Over the past years, inclusive education in Malta has led to higher expectations. More persons with a disability can now aim for a good job, financial independence and greater participation in the society.
FITA's recent services and initiatives are progressively evolving to become content focused. This includes the importance for assistive technology to become ubiquitous, the availability of accessible ICT training (particularly European computer driving licence certification), emphasis on ICT accessibility audits and support for the creation of accessible software applications.
Microloans are an inclusive and dignified way to provide new opportunities and expand the options for disabled persons. An abundance of potential alternatives exist that help in reducing financial barriers to assistive technology access. Among these are a range of possibilities related to funding, tax incentives and equipment recycling.
The success of FITA was spurred by the unified vision arising out of strong collaboration with different entities working in ICT related areas. However, much more is left to do. Greater rationalisation so as to minimise duplication of work and waste of resources is among the primary goals. Government and private enterprise must cooperate in developing better policy and service delivery by identifying clear lines of responsibility for co-ordinating their efforts, since a "joined up" approach has already proven to reduce the fragmentation that can create barriers to community participation.
• Mr Debono is the executive coordinator of the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA), while Mr Micallef is the officer-in-charge of ICT Audits of FITA.
However, increased reliance on ICT to distribute products and services raises concern as to whether these new services are designed to be fully accessible to all persons, including disabled persons. Without well-coordinated efforts throughout society, there is a risk that these information communications technology (ICT) developments will result in products and services which continue to broaden the information gap.
In Malta, anti-discrimination legislation entitled the Equal Opportunities Act - Disabled Persons of 2000 (EOA) is instrumental in ensuring greater inclusiveness through the removal of access barriers.
Maltese anti-discrimination legislation identifies six areas which are education, employment, goods and services, access, insurance and accommodation. Presently ICT relates mostly to the former three.
Whereas ICT usually improves the productivity of individuals, for disabled persons it represents more; it is an opportunity to communicate, gain access to education services and become gainfully employed.
The extent to which ICT can support disabled persons can be categorised into three main levels.
Some disabled individuals will easily use the same standard technology used by the non-disabled user. Though the positive impact of ICT may be great, the level of investment in ICT will be minimal. Others with varying or more severe impairments will need to use assistive ICT solutions that initially tend not to form part of standard ICT equipment. If assistive ICT is provided early on, disabled persons will be able to better use it in accessing education and eventually become gainfully employed.
Yet another group will be made up of persons with severe impairments, or a combination of impairments which restrict their ability to work and participate in society at a high level. Nonetheless ICT can also help in this case, by providing a necessary means of communication and allow individuals to make life choices.
Whatever options are available the individual should be equipped with the necessary skills and information to make an informed choice and ICT remains a very promising empowerment tool in this regard.
Malta shares the same population percentage proportion of disabled persons as the European Union, which is circa 15 per cent. The lack of natural resources meant that human resources have always played a prominent role in the Maltese economy.
The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) was established by the Malta Information Technology and Training Services Limited (MITTS) and KNPD on October 2, 2001. In line with the EOA, FITA applies the principles of the Social Model of Disability throughout its activities and initiatives.
This model of disability seeks to eliminate access barriers induced by society, through social change. It thus aims to enable individuals to contribute their full potential as part of society, irrespective of their impairment.
It does this by suggesting that ICT be used as a means to modify pre-established rules for achieving goals, instead of dwelling on the restrictions and limitations resulting from a biological impairment. Whereas impairments are usually not curable, the constraints resulting from them can often be surmounted or avoided through social change and proper accommodation.
The Foundation's early initiatives focused on the promotion of greater access to ICT, through the provision of Microsoft software, ICT equipment and internet access.
However, in itself, giving access to a computer, or any other ICT device or service, may not necessarily help. One must go beyond the basic issue of access to the larger issue of how ICT-based "solutions" can effectively help the individual.
Over the past years, inclusive education in Malta has led to higher expectations. More persons with a disability can now aim for a good job, financial independence and greater participation in the society.
FITA's recent services and initiatives are progressively evolving to become content focused. This includes the importance for assistive technology to become ubiquitous, the availability of accessible ICT training (particularly European computer driving licence certification), emphasis on ICT accessibility audits and support for the creation of accessible software applications.
Microloans are an inclusive and dignified way to provide new opportunities and expand the options for disabled persons. An abundance of potential alternatives exist that help in reducing financial barriers to assistive technology access. Among these are a range of possibilities related to funding, tax incentives and equipment recycling.
The success of FITA was spurred by the unified vision arising out of strong collaboration with different entities working in ICT related areas. However, much more is left to do. Greater rationalisation so as to minimise duplication of work and waste of resources is among the primary goals. Government and private enterprise must cooperate in developing better policy and service delivery by identifying clear lines of responsibility for co-ordinating their efforts, since a "joined up" approach has already proven to reduce the fragmentation that can create barriers to community participation.
• Mr Debono is the executive coordinator of the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA), while Mr Micallef is the officer-in-charge of ICT Audits of FITA.