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Building Capacity for Harnessing Building Capacity for Harnessing ICTs for Disempowered / ICTs for Disempowered /

MarginalisedMarginalisedCommunities in Sri LankaCommunities in Sri Lanka

e-NABLEe-NABLE

Jagath RatnayakeJagath Ratnayake

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri LankaTelecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka

-ITU Workshop on Accessibility to ICTs, 23 July -2010 ,Shanghai, China--ITU Workshop on Accessibility to ICTs, 23 July -2010 ,Shanghai, China-

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OverviewOverview

e-NABLE Projecte-NABLE Project

ProblemsProblems

Current statusCurrent status

Future TrendsFuture Trends

ConclusionConclusion

Short Video ClipShort Video Clip

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e-NABLE Projecte-NABLE Project

• In 2005, the Telecommunications Regulatory In 2005, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) - the national Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) - the national regulatory agency for telecommunications, with regulatory agency for telecommunications, with the assistance of telecommunications operators the assistance of telecommunications operators in Sri Lanka initiated a project called “in Sri Lanka initiated a project called “ e- e-NABLE”.NABLE”.

• The project serves as a critical enabler for socio-The project serves as a critical enabler for socio-economic development of marginalized people economic development of marginalized people and/or persons with disabilities in accessing to and/or persons with disabilities in accessing to Information and Communication Technologies Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) education by creating an equitable (ICTs) education by creating an equitable information society. information society.

• By implementing the project, ICTs use for By implementing the project, ICTs use for empowerment of disadvantaged citizens, empowerment of disadvantaged citizens, marginalized communities.marginalized communities.

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– In 2006, TRCSL submitted a project proposal to In 2006, TRCSL submitted a project proposal to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and ITU provided financial and technical and ITU provided financial and technical assistance in implementing the “ICTs for assistance in implementing the “ICTs for Disempowered Marginalized Communities in Sri Disempowered Marginalized Communities in Sri Lanka” as part of the Lanka” as part of the e-e-NABLE initiative.NABLE initiative.

– The TRCSL, conducted a study through a survey The TRCSL, conducted a study through a survey from 32 institutions including special schools, from 32 institutions including special schools, Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), villages, and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), villages, and other related places for people with special other related places for people with special needs administered by Government and Non needs administered by Government and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

– The objective of the study was to identify The objective of the study was to identify problems and needs of ICT in those institutions problems and needs of ICT in those institutions and communities.and communities.

e-NABLE Projecte-NABLE Project

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ICT Needs / ProblemsICT Needs / Problems• Most schools and VTCs had introduced ICT Most schools and VTCs had introduced ICT

in their education programme with only in their education programme with only one or two used computers. one or two used computers.

• These computers are maintained and These computers are maintained and operated using their own limited funds. operated using their own limited funds.

• These schools and centres have a These schools and centres have a common problem of competent teachers/ common problem of competent teachers/ instructors. instructors.

• Need of proper training for Need of proper training for teachers/instructors as well as increasing teachers/instructors as well as increasing the number of qualified trainers.the number of qualified trainers.

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ICT Needs/ProblemsICT Needs/Problems• Following ICT equipment were required for schools and Following ICT equipment were required for schools and

centres:centres:– Computers or laptops with accessoriesComputers or laptops with accessories– Printers, scanners, photocopiers, facsimile machinesPrinters, scanners, photocopiers, facsimile machines– TVs and VCD/DVD playersTVs and VCD/DVD players– Multimedia projectorsMultimedia projectors– Internet and email facilitiesInternet and email facilities– Computer networks Computer networks – Separate computer rooms with air conditioning systemsSeparate computer rooms with air conditioning systems– Computer tables and chairsComputer tables and chairs– ICT educational materials for their librariesICT educational materials for their libraries

• Most importantly, the following assistive devices were very Most importantly, the following assistive devices were very much in need:much in need:– Braille printersBraille printers– Hearing aids (e.g. FM group hearing system)Hearing aids (e.g. FM group hearing system)– Specially developed software for persons with Specially developed software for persons with

disabilities e.g. speaking computer software disabilities e.g. speaking computer software

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Present StatusPresent StatusDisable Persons by Type of Disability,Disable Persons by Type of Disability,Census of Population & Housing- 2001-Sri Lanka (18 Districts)Census of Population & Housing- 2001-Sri Lanka (18 Districts)

Source: Department of Census and Statistics

Male, 158,446

Female, 116,265

Both Sexes ,, 274,711

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

Both sexes Male Female

Disability in seeing

Disability in hearing/speaking

Disability in hands

Disability in legs

Other physical disability

Mental Disability

  Type of Type of DisabilitDisabilityy

  MaleMale   FemaleFemale TotalTotal

DisabilitDisability in y in SeeingSeeing

35,41935,419 33,67733,677 69,09669,096

DisabilitDisability in y in Hearing/ Hearing/ SpeakinSpeakingg

40,45840,458 32,75932,759 73,34373,343

DisabilitDisability in y in HandsHands

31,07031,070 17,06117,061 48,13148,131

DisabilitDisability in y in Legs   Legs   

56,52956,529 34,04734,047 90,57690,576

Other Other physical physical DisabilitiDisabilitieses

7,3447,344 5,9315,931 13,27513,275

Mental Mental DisabilitDisabilityy

37,18137,181 31,84531,845 69,02669,026

  TotalTotal 158,446158,446 116,265116,265 274,711274,711

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Current Status of the National/ Provincial Schools with Special Educations Unit , Special Schools and Vocational Training Centres in Sri Lanka

Current status of the National Schools in Sri Lanka

Students, 1166

Teachers, 106

Schools, 83

Current status of the Provincial Schools in Sri Lanka

Students, 33821

Teachers, 638

Schools, 647

Current status of the Special Schools in Sri Lanka

Students, 2910

Teachers, 377

Schools, 25

Source: Ministry of Education Non Formal Education Unit , Dept. of Social service

Current status of the VTC'S in Sri Lanka

Students, 601

Teachers, 78

Schools, 16

Ranaviru Villages in Sri Lanka

(Special needs soldiers villages) as at December 2009 Province No of Ranaviru

VillagesDwelled No of

Families

Western 12 1123

Central 04 117

Southern 07 327

North Central 05 1783

Eastern 01 25

North Western 04 140

Uva 03 72

Sabaragamuwa 02 85

Total 38 3672Source:Ranaviru Authority of Sri Lanka

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Government PoliciesProgress of legislation to recognize and support people with disabilities in Sri Lanka: 1988 Public Administration Circular – 3% of vacancies in public services and public companies should be filled by people with disabilities “possessing requisite qualifications and whose disabilities would not be a hindrance to the performance of duties” 1992 Trust Fund Act for the Rehabilitation of the Visually Handicapped provides for education and training opportunities; financial assistance; housing provision and welfare schemes; marketing of products made by people with visual impairments; action to eliminate conditions which prevent gaining of equal rights and opportunities. 1996 Right of persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 established the National Council and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities 1996 Social Security Board Act 17 provides for a pension and insurance for people with disabilities in the case of accidents or old age 1996 National Health Policy provides for the improvement of the quality of life: reducing preventable diseases, running health programs on disability and health measures to prevent disability. Also provides for early childhood development of children with disabilities in rehabilitation; and Development Centers with individual services, pre-schools, house visits, assistance devices, parental counseling and awareness for children suffering from acute and chronic mental illnesses 1997 General Educational Reforms introduced the inclusion of children who have disabilities in the ordinary classroom (an approach which started in the early 1970s). Changes in teaching, the curriculum, counseling, career guidance, school-based management and new strategies for teacher education, were all promoted to benefit children who have disabilities within inclusive education. Child assessment on entry to and continuously through primary school also helps to identify children with disability.1999 Ranaviru Seva Act provides for the care and rehabilitation of members of the armed forces and police force who have become disabled in the line of duty 2003 National Disability Policy provides the most comprehensive and progressive and holistic framework in Sri Lanka to date, for equality and opportunity for people with disabilities. This policy promotes community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and partnership with NGOs. 2006 -10-17 Gazette Notification informed all Government & Private institutions buildings to develop access facilities and also taking steps to develop ICT facilities for person with disabilities.Telecommunications: It is specially stated as a condition in the Telecommunications Service Providers license (Fixed & Mobile) making it obligatory for the service providers to ensure telecommunication facilities to the people with disabilities and the elderly. •Telecommunications Ten Year Development Plan (2006-16) provides improve access of marginalized groups without gender bias to telecommunications facilities to facilitate and enforce the implementation of universal access throughout the country.

– Partners of the project..Partners of the project.. – TRCSLTRCSL

• TRCSL as a national counterpart and implementing TRCSL as a national counterpart and implementing agency will be directly responsible for implementation agency will be directly responsible for implementation of the project and towards this end encourage of the project and towards this end encourage participation from users and beneficiaries who will participation from users and beneficiaries who will benefit from the ICT facilities and services to be benefit from the ICT facilities and services to be provided by this project. TRCSL will therefore facilitate, provided by this project. TRCSL will therefore facilitate, monitor and appraise ITU and the project partners on monitor and appraise ITU and the project partners on the implementation of this project.the implementation of this project.

– Licensed operatorsLicensed operators• Providing required services and facilities under this Providing required services and facilities under this

project.project.

– International Telecommunications UnionInternational Telecommunications Union • ITU as the lead implementing agency will assist in ITU as the lead implementing agency will assist in

designing and scoping the project. ITU will act as a link designing and scoping the project. ITU will act as a link to other successful similarto other successful similar projects projects worldwide and worldwide and supply world experience to enable the project realize its supply world experience to enable the project realize its objectives. ITU will also mobilize partners both objectives. ITU will also mobilize partners both nationally and internationally to participate in the nationally and internationally to participate in the project and bring in their specialized resourcesproject and bring in their specialized resources

Current StatusCurrent Status

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ITU /TRC Project Phase 1ITU /TRC Project Phase 1

• ITU assistance project (Phase – 1) ITU assistance project (Phase – 1) provided financial and technical assistance provided financial and technical assistance to 28 centers. to 28 centers.

• About 2,292 people including students, About 2,292 people including students, marginalized people and people with marginalized people and people with disabilities benefited from these ICT disabilities benefited from these ICT equipment and facilities. equipment and facilities.

ITU Assistance Phase 2

• ITU assistance project (Phase – 2) ITU assistance project (Phase – 2) provided financial and technical assistance provided financial and technical assistance to 69 centers. (33 Sto 69 centers. (33 Schools, 02 Universities, chools, 02 Universities, 17 Vocational training centers, 17 17 Vocational training centers, 17 Ranaviru villages.)Ranaviru villages.)

• About 4678 people including students, About 4678 people including students, marginalized people and people with marginalized people and people with disabilities benefited from these ICT disabilities benefited from these ICT equipment and facilities. equipment and facilities.

ITU Phase Two

No Task Finish

1 Sign the project document & agreement Completed

2 Expert mission and readiness assessment Completed

3 Study Visit /ITU Forum for Sri Lankan Project team to Thailand

Completed

4 First Procurement of assistive equipment Completed

5 Second procurement of computers and accessories

Completed

6 Deployment of the equipment to sites Completed

7 Software /application development Aug 10

8 Training the trainer programme Aug 10

9 National workshop on mainstreaming ICT accessibility for persons with disabilities

Dec 10

8 Monitoring & Evaluation (by TRC and ITU ) for six months after completion of the implementation

Dec 10

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An agreement for operation & Maintenance of ICT equipment with these centers.

Agreement

For

Provision and Maintenance of Information and Communication Equipment

Between Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, _____________

And_______ School/ Vocational Training Center for People with Disabilities

At-------------------------------------------------------

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Commemorating ITU World Telecom & Commemorating ITU World Telecom & Information Society Day -2008Information Society Day -2008ConnectingConnecting Persons With Disabilities : ICT Opportunities for AllPersons With Disabilities : ICT Opportunities for All

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Visit by ITU Regional OfficialsVisit by ITU Regional Officials

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Provision of Ten ADSL Connections under the e-NABLE Project by Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd. (Licensed Operator)

2020

Computer centers opened at Deaf & Blind School / Computer centers opened at Deaf & Blind School / VTC in Kandy & Ranaviru Village ParadisewattaVTC in Kandy & Ranaviru Village Paradisewatta

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Provision of Ten HSPA Connections under the

e-NABLE Project by Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd

(Licensed Operator)

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Opening of a Computer & Speech Training Centre

Subaghya Special School, Monaragala –

A new computer and speech training centre with facilities for a FM hearing system and ICT  equipment was opened at

Wellassa Subagya Special School at Kumbukana in Monaragala District . 

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Future ActivitiesFuture Activities

– Training the Trainer programmeTraining the Trainer programme– Software/Application Development Software/Application Development – Arranging an ICT Quiz programme among Arranging an ICT Quiz programme among

Schools & VTCsSchools & VTCs

– Conducting Research and developmentConducting Research and development

– Conducting a National Workshop with the Conducting a National Workshop with the participation of disabled persons participation of disabled persons

– Taking steps to develop ICT’s in schools & Taking steps to develop ICT’s in schools & Vocational Training Centers & Vocational Training Centers & UniversitiesUniversities

– Monitoring & Evaluation Monitoring & Evaluation

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ConclusionConclusion• Project has progressed very successfully.Project has progressed very successfully.

– This project has created a public awareness to help these This project has created a public awareness to help these marginalized communities living / working in villages, schools marginalized communities living / working in villages, schools and Vocational Training Centers by equipping the special and Vocational Training Centers by equipping the special schools, MCTs and villages with basic sets of ICT equipment schools, MCTs and villages with basic sets of ICT equipment and facilities including Braille printers and other specific and facilities including Braille printers and other specific technologies to enhance accessibility.technologies to enhance accessibility.

– The project has harnessed the power of ICTs for people with The project has harnessed the power of ICTs for people with disabilities and has empowered them to live and work with disabilities and has empowered them to live and work with confidence and has ensured their security and acceptance in confidence and has ensured their security and acceptance in the societies.the societies.

– Has improved the living standards of persons with special Has improved the living standards of persons with special needs.needs.

– Linking with other institutions for further improvement of Linking with other institutions for further improvement of facilities.facilities.

– Opportunities have opened up for person with disabilities and Opportunities have opened up for person with disabilities and institution’s to participate at international events, improve institution’s to participate at international events, improve and develop their knowledge and skills.and develop their knowledge and skills.

• ITU assistance greatly appreciated.ITU assistance greatly appreciated.

• Assistance from interested organizations are most Assistance from interested organizations are most welcome.welcome.

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““Disability is not Disability is not Inability”Inability”

Video clipVideo clipwww.trc.gov.lkJagath_r@trc.gov.lkJagath_r@trc.gov.lk