For most of us, technology-based tools are nice to have because they make our jobs easier, but for people with disabilities, such tools are essential. Without these tools, they are unable to lead productive lives.
Unfortunately, while many enabling technologies exist and new ones are continually being developed, the people who need them the most are unable to access them because of cost. What`s the point of that?
This is yet another example of technology alone not being enough. I was heartened this week to see an article about how the US Department of Defence (DOD) is doing its bit to make technology more accessible to people with disabilities.
The DOD`s Computer/Electronics Accommodation Programme (CAP) provides enabling technology to DOD employees and other federal workers, and has been doing so for the past 15 years.
CAP provides technology to help people with life-long disabilities as well as workers who encounter challenges later in life such as repetitive stress injuries, loss of sight, or loss of hearing.
CAP is an excellent example of how to get real about technology by ensuring the most appropriate people get the technology they need to do their jobs.
It`s time South Africans got real about empowerment at the individual level in a meaningful way and went further than merely paying lip service to equal opportunities for all.
Warwick Ashford, technology editor, ITWeb
Technologies provided by CAP include speech-recognition software for people who have trouble using a keyboard, computer screen magnification programs for people with sight disabilities, and talking dictionaries for people with cognitive disabilities.
CAP also gives screen-reading software, or readers that print out the text of a screen in Braille, to people with sight problems, and it provides equipment such as fax machines for government workers who work from home because of injuries or disabilities.
Like high-speed Internet, the technology exists, all that is required is for someone to unlock the technology and make it accessible to those who need it. Does our government have a similar programme? If not, I would suggest it follows the US example because doubtless the need here is as great, if not greater.
With all the talk about empowerment going on in SA, particularly in the ICT sector of late, how much is actually being done to make sure ordinary citizens have access to the technology they need to be empowered to join the workforce?
Perhaps the most important aspect of CAP is that it provides funding for technologies, taking the burden off individuals seeking work and companies seeking to employ people with special needs.
Although CAP is part of the US DOD, it provides assistance to all government workers whose agencies are part of the programme. But why limit such aid to government agencies? Even if this is a government initiative, surely such a service should be available to all organisations offering employment to people with disabilities?
I think such a programme would be an excellent idea in SA, with great opportunity for IT companies to get involved to help apply technology to particular needs in the workplace, ranging from technology solutions such as speech-recognition software, to simple solutions such as telephone headsets and a document holders.
Even if the government is doing something, it is also time the business world started to get real about the needs of a large potential workforce that is being excluded from the workplace because of special needs that can easily be met by technology.
It`s time South Africans got real about empowerment at the individual level in a meaningful way and went further than merely paying lip service to equal opportunities for all. Making technology more accessible to those who need it most is a good place to start. That`s what I would call real empowerment.
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