Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
FOR young Blessing Annita Faera, a student at the Bulawayo Polytechnic, physical disability is not an inability.
At 19 years old, the young woman is not lost to the fact that she is physically disabled but has anchored her future on technology.
For young people living with disabilities like Faera, learning how to use technology is more than acquiring a new skill — it is opening a door to education, employment and greater independence.
“I will never be able to perform physically demanding jobs like my peers so I have chosen a career in office management that will allow me to work and make a living in an office.
“I am a young woman who is disabled but that will not stop me from building a career that I have always wished for,” said Faera.
She says technology is her ticket to a job that would otherwise have been impossible for her considering that she in on a wheelchair.
“I enrolled for this course (Information Communication Technology) for a six months course because I knew that it would give me an advantage over other candidates,” she said.
Faera was part of 21 students who were given certificates after completing ICT training for Persons with Disa-bilities Programme held at Bulawayo Public Library on Friday.
The programmme equipped young people with digital skills to help them participate in Zimbabwe’s increasing-ly digital economy.
Held under the theme: “Power Up Inclusion: ICT Skills, PWDs’ (People With Disabilities) Voices” it brought to-gether young people from tertiary institutions and other stakeholders.
In a keynote address read on her behalf by her personal assistant, Ms Maljan Fazilahmed, Special
Advisor on National Disability Issues in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Senator Rose Mpofu said digital inclusion should be at the heart of the country’s development.
“This programme is more than an ICT training programme, it is an investment in our young people. It is an in-vestment in human capital and ultimately an investment to the people,” said Sen Mpofu.
She said the rapid growth of digital advancement is proof that persons with disabilities cannot afford to be left behind in the digital era.
“Today, a university application can be online, a scholarship application can be and a job application can be online. This is proof that technology is a facet of our everyday life and people with disabilities cannot ignore that fact of life. We have to move with the times,” said Sen Mpofu.
She challenged stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access and benefit from the dig-ital opportunities offered in the country.
“We cannot build a digital Zimbabwe and leave persons with disabilities out,” she added.
Meanwhile, increased digital inclusion of people living with disabilities is a must as access to technology is critical in ensuring their full participation in society.
Sen Anna Shiri, who represents Persons with Disabilities, said ICT skills are an artery for opening opportunities in education, business, employment and communication for persons with disabilities.
“Technology is now part of almost every facet of our lives. We use it in education, communication, business, employment, accessing information and connecting with the world. Therefore, persons with disabilities must not be left behind in the digital space,” she said.
Sen Shiri called on educational institutions to ensure that technology and digital platforms are accessible to people with different disabilities.
“As the Senator representing Persons with Disabilities, I will say that digital inclusion is disability inclusion.
“We must ensure that ICT training, digital platforms, computers, smartphones and other technologies are ac-cessible to persons with disabilities. Accessibility should not be treated as an afterthought,” she said.
“It must be built into our programmes and educational institutions.”
Sen Shiri commended the Bulawayo Public Library, organisers, facilitators and partners of the graduation cere-mony for providing the training opportunities for people living disabilities.
“The ICT training programme has demonstrated that when persons with disabilities are given the right tools, training and support, they can learn, create, work and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
“To the graduates, I encourage you not to stop here. Use the skills you have gained to continue learning and create opportunities for yourselves and others.”
