tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
PEOPLE with disabilities (PWDs) largely find it increasingly difficult to access information and communications technology (ICT) skills due to lack of resources.
This came out during a multi-stakeholder engagement meeting held in Harare on Tuesday by Signs of Hope Trust, in conjunction with the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa.
Article 21 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities urges member states to accept and facilitate the use of all accessible means, modes and formats of communication of choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions, including ICTs.
University of Zimbabwe media and linguistics lecturer Mr Sipho Sibanda said the import duty imposed on ICT- assistive gadgets makes it difficult for people with disabilities to have access to information.
“Buying ICT-assistive devices is expensive on its own and having them pay import duty makes them unaffordable for the disadvantaged groups.
“The same way civil servants are exempted from paying duty for cars, Government should say the same about these assistive, important gadgets that help people with disabilities live better,” said Mr Sibanda.
Mr Taurai Chako, the lead consultant with the Disabilities and Development Pathways, said to achieve Vision 2030, Government should ensure that people with disabilities are not left out in the adoption of technology.
“Technology has become the Vision 2030 accelerator, and if Government is to achieve this, it has to ensure that no one is even left an inch behind.
“It is costlier to leave PWDs than to create an inclusive environment for all so that we move forward together,” said Mr Chako.
Signs of Hope Trust director Ms Samantha Sibanda urged Government to look into subsidising internet data to promote access to information for people with disabilities.
“As we speak, data charges have a flat fee for all, which might, in turn, be prohibitive to PWDs.
“We would like a scenario whereby PWDs got some subsidised data. This will encourage and promote the use of ICTs,” said Ms Sibanda.
ICTs for people with disabilities include the use of assistive technology, which provides assistive and adaptive devices that help people with disabilities engage in various activities.
Assistive technology includes communication boards, computer screen reading software, wheelchairs, pencil grips and spell-checking software.
Online Reporter