Initiative aims to get disabled ‘Connected’ - Gulf Times - 8 December 2010

The Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada) launched a new initiative yesterday in association with Vodafone and Qtel which will connect people with disabilities to information and communication technology (ICT).

Named ‘Connected’, the programme aims to provide nationwide accessibility to people with disabilities, while ensuring that those in the segment don’t have to pay more than others to use mobile telecommunications technology, officials said yesterday.

Over the next weeks, people with disabilities in Qatar will have access to a wide range of accessible and affordable services and products.

This includes assistive technology (AT) software and accessories, specialised handsets, website accessibility, and greater access to both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar stores.
 
Mada CEO Faleh al-Naemi said: “This is part of ongoing efforts by Mada and our industry partners to build an accessible ICT ecosystem in Qatar.”

Mada was launched through the combined initiative of ictQATAR (The Supreme Council of Information and Community Technology), Vodafone, Qtel, Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Microsoft, with a vision of ICT for all, and provides AT to people with disabilities.

Based on a vision of a world with information communication technology for all, Mada provides assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities.

The initiative has seen the coming together of Qtel and Vodafone, whose representatives along with al-Naemi signed agreements for the programme yesterday.

Qtel CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said: “Telecommunications transforms people’s lives, and that’s just how we see our broader mission at Qtel. Working with Mada, we are realising an important corporate goal of providing access for all, making the latest assistive communications technologies readily and easily accessible and affordable for people with disabilities throughout Qatar.”

According to him, Qtel’s own ‘Access for All’ straddles core elements of special discounts, special handsets and accessories, accessible branches, and a dedicated website.

Vodafone Qatar legal, regulatory & external relations director, Mathew Harrison-Harvey, said: “As Qatar aspires to build a fully connected society, Vodafone is proud to leverage its expertise through our partnership with Mada.

“It is part of our responsibilities to contribute by making communication more accessible for everyone.This includes handsets, tariffs and services that are specifically tailored to people with disabilities.”

Speaking to the media later, Dr Marafih said Mada’s innovative work can be copied throughout the region.
“We surely see this working in the markets we operate in,” he said. Harrison-Harvey also agreed while pointing out that Vodafone’s global outreach and expertise will be utilised to support the initiative.
 
Source:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=403366&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Assistive Technology Supporting People With Disabilities – AT-Center – 24 Nov 2010

Traditionally people with disabilities have had to lean on others for assistance with housing, meal preparation, bathing and other activities of daily living. Today, many people with disabilities are living independently and performing these activities all by themselves. This trend is due to the creation of assistive technology for those that they are disabled. Assistive technology can be defined as the tools that are used by people with disabilities that enable them to complete their tasks of daily living in a functional and easy way.

A few examples of assistive technological devices are telephones with the telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), computer programs with text-to-speech software for reading and spelling and sip and puff device for an electric wheelchair.

The TDD telephone converts typed characters into certain tones that may be sent over telephone lines. Another type of this service involves an operator reading what a deaf person types and hearing person says, and then converts the text/verbal words accordingly. TDD communications is also used on televisions for many regular sitcoms, game shows and sporting events.

Text-to-speech software programs are great for those with visual impairments, dyslexia or dysphagia. These programs can take words that the computer user speaks and convert it into typed text on the screen. The program can also take written text and read it aloud to the computer user. These types of devices make it possible for many disabled people to attend college, trade school or find gainful employment.

A sit and puff device for an electric wheelchair can allow a catastrophically disabled person to successfully navigate their own wheelchair. The device uses the inhalations and exhalations of the wheelchair user to go forward, backward, turn and go faster or slower. This makes it much easier for both the disabled person and their caregiver to leave the home and enter the community for medical appointments, recreation and special outings.

Source: http://www.at-center.com/assistive-technology-supporting-people-with-disabilities.html