ICT skills for people with disabilities

Ivan Zhakata in Mutare

PEOPLE with disabilities across Manicaland Province have been empowered with Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills after having completed the basic ICT skills training from the Internet Society of Zimbabwe.

The week-long training, which was organised by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) in Mutare, saw more than 30 people with a hearing impairment being empowered with digital skills.

They were trained to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Edge and PowerPoint, and how to create and use emails and social media platforms.

The trainings which are targeting all people with disabilities across the country are being funded by POTRAZ’s Universal Services Fund (USF) to ensure digital inclusivity in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of creating a digital economy by 2030.

Speaking at the handover of certificates after the training, POTRAZ deputy director for USF and Postal Services Mr Tichafa Mujuru said the training was aimed at leaving no one behind in terms of acquiring ICT skills.

“In this programme, we are training people with disabilities in basic ICT skills and this is to ensure that all Zimbabweans have access to ICT knowledge,” he said. “This programme has been running since last year and we have trained about three groups in Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Bulawayo.

“We are targeting institutions that we have provided with computers and internet before. In Masvingo, the training was specifically for the visually impaired. This time we are working with those who have hearing impairments but we are covering the whole spectrum of people with disabilities.” Mr Mujuru said last year they trained 127 people with disabilities and this year they were targeting 210.

He said the response to the training has been overwhelming with people coming in numbers more than expected.

Mr Shepherd Chifamba from the Internet Society of Zimbabwe who was leading the training said he was happy with the zeal shown by people with disabilities to learn basic ICT skills.

“We have people who are starting at zero and some of them have not reached Grade 7 because of certain circumstances but some have an ICT background,” he said. “This training is a good thing as the people have been trained in creating Word documents and Excel.

“They can also do PowerPoint presentations and how to create email and social media and manage social media platforms. This is just a basic programme that we are embarking on and we are going to be equipping them with further skills that they require.

“Communication was very difficult but with the assistance of interpreters, we managed to explain certain things. It was challenging but eventually, we managed to work together.”

Nzeve Trust Centre director Ms Karina Martin said they work to promote the rights of persons with disabilities specifically those with hearing impairment in the Mutare community.

“We believe in an equal society and we would like everyone to have access to ICT skills and the internet,” she said. “If a person with disabilities has access to ICTs, they can improve their communication skills.”