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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
Projects of PFFB
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
Thank You