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