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The first batch of students graduated from Telenor Assistive Technology Center recently, in conjunction with the inauguration of the lab.

Aamir Ibrahim inaugurating the first Telenor Assistive Tehnology Lab, with Manager Corporate Communication Affan Haider and STEP President Atif Sheikh

Twelve persons with disabilities (PWDs) received the certificates from CSO and VP Corporate Affairs Aamir Ibrahim, officiated a ceremony held at the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) premise in Islamabad.

Assistive Technology Lab

The lab consists of disabled friendly work stations, with adaptations that include speech controlled computers, screen readers, screen enlargement and Braille printers. Softwares have been imported from United Kingdom with the support of Sightsavers.

The objective of the lab is to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) into mainstream society.

They are now able to access computer systems, information resources, and on-line services on the internet.

This is the first of several Telenor Assistive Technology Centers, with the second one due to open soon at the National Institute of Special Education in Islamabad.

These labs house 28 computers running Assistive Technology softwares such as JAWS and Dolphin.

Roadmap

The course conducted at the Assistive Technology Center by STEP entails a 15-day basic computer training course for two hours every day. Its main focus is to develop the students into trainers who would be able to provide similar basic training to other PWDs in the future.

“It is a paradigm shift when PWDs themselves can go out there and provide training to people. This has only been made possible here with Telenor’s Khuddar Pakistan program,” said Atif Sheikh, STEP President.

“We would love to see such centers replicated across the country, and for the labs to start providing a higher level training such as graphics and html designing.

“That will help us address the big question right now: How to get more PWDs into the mainstream through their inclusion in the workforce and promote independent living.”

Telenor Pakistan has funded the establishment of Assistive Technology labs in National Institute for Special Education and STEP. These labs house 28 desktops with Assistive Technology software such as JAWS and Dolphin. Here Aamir is being shown a demostration of a sign language communication conducted with a person in Canada

Main highlights of activities:

Telenor Khuddar Pakistan is a three-year corporate responsibility program. It aims to create dignity through ability by working with persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Telenor Pakistan’s aim is to become the most disabled-friendly company in Pakistan in terms of employment, service, and community support. To do this we will integrate persons with disabilities fully into the organization, create awareness about their abilities, and include them fully into everyday life with the help of assistive technologies.

Highlights of activities so far:-

Awareness:-

Conducted DAT in North Region; workshops held for Top Management, Extended Management, Corporate Communications & Responsibility, S&SC (CHQ), Islamabad-based bloggers

Working on ‘A Guide to Services for Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan’ (English & Urdu versions)

Conducted employee visits to disabled persons organizations

Conducting a weekly talkshow on disability issues on Radio Pakistan’s FM93 station

Supported National Leadership Conference of Persons with Disabilities 2009

Raising awareness through mass media following launch event on 23 July in Islamabad

Inclusion:-

Careers pages on corporate website made accessible

Khuddar Pakistan Blind Cricket Talent Hunt

Career Development Workshop for PWDs;  LABARD as partner

Integration:-

Building audits and service audits conducted for Paris Plaza and CHQ; Paris Plaza made accessible to PWDs

Proactive hiring of persons with disabilities on equal opportunity basis

Seven PWDs hired as CROs; one PWD hired as Team Leader

All recruitment ads in newspapers encourage PWDs to apply for positionsin Telenor Pakistan

The first batch of students graduating from Telenor Assistive Technology Center recently, along with their certificates. The center not only provides training, but also serves as a community center for disabled youths

Filed under: News from Pakistan on May 19th, 2010