ictQATAR Set to Host Event to Promote e-Accessibility in Qatar

Doha, June 16 (QNA) -The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR),in cooperation with MADA (Qatars Assistive Technology Center), will host an event to promote e-Accessibility for people with disabilities at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. "This event is an opportunity to hear firsthand from people with disabilities regarding their experience of using accessible digital data and services and what e-Accessibility means to them," said Ahmed Hefnawi, Policy Manager, Strategic Planning, ictQATAR. "We encourage interested stakeholders to partake in the event discussions so that we can continue to build upon the progress which has already been made in regard to the accessibility of information and communication technologies for people with disabilities on an equal basis with others." The highlight of the event will be two panel discussions regarding the right to access digital data and building digital platforms. In addition to users with disabilities, the event shall be attended by stakeholders from various industries, sectors, and organizations working with people with disabilities. This includes Ooredoo, Vodafone, Qatar National Library, Qatar Foundation and the Supreme Education Council. In November 2011, ictQATAR issued the e-Accessibility Policy with the aim of laying the foundations for an accessible ICT ecosystem in Qatar to enable persons with disabilities to take full advantage of ICTs as well as to provide benefits for the rest of society through improving the general usability of ICT products and services for everyone. ictQATAR has closely monitored the progress of this policy to date through close interaction and collaboration with all stakeholders responsible for implementing the policys provisions to ensure smooth coordination and implementation. The event will be conducted in Arabic and English through instant translation as well as sign language interpretation. The venue for the event is also wheelchair accessible. (QNA)