Over the years, technology has evolved to greater heights making internet access at a center stage for growth and development in the world. However, majority of Persons With Disability have been considerably left out of this transformative advancement with very few adapting to assistive technological tools.
The objective of the training was to enhance digital competence for Persons With Disability on internet access, identify and document online threats and challenges encountered by Persons With Disability and to Create awareness for digital security and internet access for Persons With Disability.
A survey conducted by National Union for Women With Disability in Uganda revealed that More men than women have access to ICTs, 51.3% of persons with disabilities living in the rural areas, 37.2% highest level of education, 46% self employed, 70.1% have access to radios making it the most used ICT device, 86.3% access the Internet from ICT labs or cafes, 83% own a basic phone and 10% have access social media. This leaves a lot more to be done through equipping more persons with Disability in gaining mileage access to technology and ICT.
Globally, its estimated that a billion people live with special needs according to a World Bank report. Similarly, in Uganda, 19% of the population are estimated to have some form of disability according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Despite the challenges, the co-existence of the internet remains a key driving factor to the development in the country. The largest population of special needs are however concentrated in ln the rural areas. Compared to men, women have a higher prevalence rates of disability. Despite the given circumstance, ISOC-UG chapter is focused at delivering a high-level technological training to enhance and leverage information sharing to build resilient and competent internet users irrespective of special needs.
This year, the Chapterthon project under the theme Digital Security Training for Persons with Disabilities enhanced their digital competence for internet access and raise awareness on digital security, the training captured existing online threats like Phishing, Cyber Bullying, Cyber sexual harassment, hackings and best practices on mitigating these challenges. The participants also had practical sessions on password and device management.
The chapter is committed to advocating for a free, safe and affordable internet for everyone and defending standard internet protocols in Uganda. as part of our key mandate, equipping all internet users with the most needed skills through ICT offering technical policy reviewing on internet issues through partnerships has made tremendous impact with government agencies and Civil society organizations i.e NITA-U, Ministry of ICT and National guidance, National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (NUWODU), Encrypt Uganda among others have closely contributed to the realization of an inclusive training to equip Persons With Disability with ICT skills.
Catch more of the event highlights on hashtag #digitalinclusionUg and from the Video below;