Role of Information Society in Empowerment of Persons with … · 2011-04-04 · Role of Information Society in Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Through Building Successful

Role of Information Society inEmpowerment of Persons with

Disabilities

Through

Building Successful Multi-Stake HolderPartnerships

By

Muhammad Atif SheikhPresident STEP (A Cross Disability Self-Help Organization)

Secretary General Disabled Peoples’ International-Pakistan

Some thing about Pakistan

• Area796,096 square kilometers

• Population148.723 million

• LocationSouth Asia, bordering the ArabianSea, between India on the east andIran and Afghanistan on the westand China in the north.

• Land boundariesTotal 7,266 km (Afghanistan 2,430km, China 580 km, India 2,240km, Iran 909 km).

• Government TypeParliamentary

• CapitalIslamabad

Major ICT Indicators

• Internet Connectivity 1.6 Million

• Bandwidth Cost $0.68

• Fiber Optic Connectivity 360 Cities

• PTCL Fixed Network 5.5 Million Lines

• Internet Bandwidth 930 Mbps

• Universal Internet Access 1812 Cities

• Cellular Phone Customers 3.7 Million

Disability Population Analysis

(National Basis)

1 Total Population

Male Female Total %age

68,873,686 63,478,593 132,352,279 -

2 Disabled Population 1,918,705 1,374,450 3,293,155 2.49

Age Group 0-4 5-14 15-29

M F T M F T M F T

Visually Impaired 5.74

5.19

10.93

10.81 9.05 19.8

6 9.84 8.92 18.76

Hearing Impaired 4.78

4.19 8.97 16.3

812.42

28.80

14.68

12.13

26.81

Physical2.86

2.23 4.99 9.55 6.78 16.3

411.16 6.69 17.8

5

Insane 5.21

4.49 9.70 14.6

110.67

25.28

16.97

12.43

29.39

Intellectually 4.84

5.08 9.92 12.5

110.69

23.21

15.76

12.99

28.75

Hav ing more than oneDisability

6.31

5.81

12.12

14.74

11.25

24.88

14.38

12.81

26.12

Others 7.95

7.84

15.97

17.17

12.09

29.26

11.53 8.71 20.2

4

Landmarks

•A Network of Special Education Centers all over the country

•Vocational Training Centers for Persons with disabilities

•National Trust for Disabled

•National Council for Rehabilitation of PWDs

•National Mobility and Independence Training Centre

•National Braille Press

•National Library and Resources Centre

The World Program of Action states that morethan five hundred million people in the world aredisabled as a consequence of mental, physical orsensory impairment. They are entitled to thesame fight as all other human beings and toequal opportunities. Too often their lives arehandicapped by physical and social barriers insociety which hamper their full participation.Because of this, millions of children and adultsin all parts of the world often face a life that issegregated and debase.

Mainstream Socio-Economic

Development Health Social Services Education Employment

PWD

PhysicalEnvironment

Information &Communication

Regulations & Systems

Thoughts & Attitudes

PWD PWDPrejudice/Discrimination/Human-Rights Violations/Poverty

Socially Vulnerable Economically Poor

BARRIERS

Current Situation of People with Disabilitiesin Developing Countries

No Equal participation

A Cross Disability Self-Help Organization

STEP

SPECIAL TALENT EXCHANGEPROGRAM

“A Network for Assistance and Leadership Training ofPersons with Disabilities”

Special Talent Exchange program (STEP) wasconceived and launched in year 1997 by Personswith Disabilities themselves in order to bringabout a change in the behavior of society towardsPersons with disabilities (PWDs). STEP compriseshighly qualified disabled persons including apotential team of devoted and dedicatedvolunteers.

STEP has all along been putting in strenuousefforts to achieve the cherished goal and despiteconstraints, STEP has, since its inception, beenorganizing seminars, trainings ad other suchactivities for the uplifting of PWDs.

STEP has also succeeded in getting admission ofPWDs in Universities and ProfessionalInstitutions besides generating opportunities forthem in the private business concerns. A goodnumber of PWDs has also received training fromJapan through Japan International Co-operationAgency (JICA).

STEP participates in T.V and Radio Programs andbrings out a Monthly Newsletter by the name“Leaders”. STEP is committed to play an activerole in the implementation of National Policy forDisabled 2002 with anticipation that Ministry ofWomen Development, Social Welfare and SpecialEducation will include leaders of PWDs indecision-making processes. STEP is working inthe close collaboration with a number of nationaland international organizations of DisabledPersons.

In order to further push and achieve the envisagedgoals, dynamic team of STEP has initiated the ideaof a “Information and Communication Center ofPersons with Disabilities”.

This project is helping in continuing co-operativeactivities and inclusion of persons with diversifieddisabilities in mainstream.

STEP in managing administrative personnel,trained/technical personnel, space for office,utility and daily administrative cost in thesuccessive years, trained persons by JICA, a crewof volunteers, potential leaders of persons withdisabilities with the partnership of a number oforganizations.

Activities of the ProjectInformation Collection and Dissemination

Registration of Persons with Disabilities

Counseling and Communication Center

Islamabad Independent Living Center

Communication Skill Development Trainings through ICTApplications

Talent Exhibitions

Contd..

Advocacy Seminars

Out reach activities and awareness camps

Monthly News Letter “Leaders”, in Electronic and Print form

Website www.step.org.pk

E-mail based information dissemination group “disabilitytheme”

Partners in our ProgressAsian Pacific Development Center on Disability Thailand

GSM Mobile Company Ufone

MAJU University Pakistan

National University of Modern Languages Pakistan

ISP WOL in Pakistan

ISP Cyber net in Pakistan

Monthly Pakistan Special