Building Capacity for Harnessing ICTs
for Disempowered / Marginalised
Communities in Sri Lanka
e-NABLE
Jagath Ratnayake
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
-ITU Workshop on Accessibility to ICTs, 23 July -2010 ,Shanghai, China-
1
Overview
e-NABLE Project
Problems
Current status
Future Trends
Conclusion
Short Video Clip
2
e-NABLE Project
• In 2005, the Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) - the national
regulatory agency for telecommunications, with
the assistance of telecommunications operators
in Sri Lanka initiated a project called “ e-NABLE”.
• The project serves as a critical enabler for socioeconomic development of marginalized people
and/or persons with disabilities in accessing to
Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) education by creating an equitable
information society.
• By implementing the project, ICTs
empowerment
of
disadvantaged
marginalized communities.
use for
citizens,
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e-NABLE Project
– In 2006, TRCSL submitted a project proposal to
the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) and ITU provided financial and technical
assistance in implementing the “ICTs for
Disempowered Marginalized Communities in Sri
Lanka” as part of the e-NABLE initiative.
– The TRCSL, conducted a study through a survey
from 32 institutions including special schools,
Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), villages,
and other related places for people with special
needs administered by Government and Non
Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
– The objective of the study was to identify
problems and needs of ICT in those institutions
and communities.
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ICT Needs
/ Problems
• Most schools
and VTCs
had introduced ICT
in their education programme with only
one or two used computers.
• These computers are maintained and
operated using their own limited funds.
• These schools and centres have
•
a
common problem of competent teachers/
instructors.
Need
of
proper
training
for
teachers/instructors as well as increasing
the number of qualified trainers.
5
ICT Needs/Problems
• Following ICT equipment were required for schools and
centres:
– Computers or laptops with accessories
– Printers, scanners, photocopiers, facsimile machines
– TVs and VCD/DVD players
– Multimedia projectors
– Internet and email facilities
– Computer networks
– Separate computer rooms with air conditioning systems
– Computer tables and chairs
– ICT educational materials for their libraries
• Most importantly, the following assistive devices were very
much in need:
– Braille printers
– Hearing aids (e.g. FM group hearing system)
– Specially developed software for persons with
disabilities e.g. speaking computer software
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Present Status
Disable Persons by Type of Disability,
Census of Population & Housing- 2001-Sri Lanka (18 Districts)
Type of
Disability
Male
Female
Total
Disability
in Seeing
35,419
33,677
69,096
Disability
in
Hearing/
Speaking
40,458
32,759
73,343
Disability
in Hands
31,070
17,061
48,131
Disability
in Legs
56,529
34,047
90,576
Other
physical
Disabiliti
es
7,344
5,931
13,275
Mental
Disability
37,181
Female, 116,265
Both Sexes ,,
274,711
Male, 158,446
100000
Disability in seeing
80000
Disability in hearing/speaking
60000
Disability in hands
40000
31,845
69,026
Department 116,265
of Census and274,711
Statistics
TotalSource:158,446
Disability in legs
20000
Other physical disability
0
Both sexes
Male
Female
Mental Disability
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Current Status of the National/ Provincial Schools
with Special Educations Unit , Special Schools and
Vocational Training Centres in Sri Lanka
Schools, 647
Schools, 83
Teachers, 106
Current status of the National Schools in
Sri Lanka
Teachers, 638
Current status of the Provincial Schools in
Sri Lanka
Students,
33821
Students,
1166
Schools, 16
Schools , 25
Teachers,
78
Te ache rs ,
377
Current status of the Special Schools in
Sri Lanka
Stude nts ,
2910
Current status of the VTC'S in
Sri Lanka
Students,
601
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Ranaviru Villages in Sri Lanka
(Special needs soldiers villages)
as at December 2009
No of Ranaviru
Villages
Dwelled No of
Families
Western
Central
Southern
12
04
07
1123
117
327
North Central
Eastern
North Western
05
01
04
1783
25
140
Uva
Sabaragamuwa
Total
03
02
38
72
85
3672
Province
Source:Ranaviru Authority of Sri Lanka
Government Policies
Progress 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 access10
throughout the country.
Current Status
– Partners of the project..
– TRCSL
• TRCSL as a national counterpart and implementing agency
will be directly responsible for implementation of the project
and towards this end encourage participation from users and
beneficiaries who will benefit from the ICT facilities and
services to be provided by this project. TRCSL will therefore
facilitate, monitor and appraise ITU and the project partners
on the implementation of this project.
– Licensed operators
• Providing required services and facilities under this project.
– International Telecommunications Union
• ITU as the lead implementing agency will assist in designing
and scoping the project. ITU will act as a link to other
successful similar projects worldwide and supply world
experience to enable the project realize its objectives. ITU
will also mobilize partners both nationally and internationally
to participate in the project and bring in their specialized
resources
ITU /TRC Project Phase 1
• ITU assistance project (Phase – 1)
provided financial and technical assistance
to 28 centers.
• About 2,292 people including students,
marginalized people and people with
disabilities benefited from these ICT
equipment and facilities.
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ITU Assistance Phase 2
• ITU assistance project (Phase – 2)
provided financial and technical assistance
to 69 centers. (33 Schools, 02 Universities,
17 Vocational training centers, 17 Ranaviru
villages.)
• About 4678 people including students,
marginalized people and people with
disabilities benefited from these ICT
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
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
-------------------------------------------------------
15
Commemorating ITU World Telecom &
Information Society Day -2008
Connecting Persons With Disabilities : ICT Opportunities for All
16
Visit by ITU Regional Officials
17
Provision of Ten ADSL Connections under the eNABLE Project by Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd.
(Licensed Operator)
19
Computer centers opened at Deaf & Blind School /
VTC in Kandy & Ranaviru Village Paradisewatta
20
Provision of Ten HSPA Connections under the
e-NABLE Project by Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd
(Licensed Operator)
21
22
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 Activities
– Training the Trainer programme
– Software/Application Development
– Arranging an ICT Quiz programme among
Schools & VTCs
– Conducting Research and development
– Conducting a National Workshop with the
participation of disabled persons
– Taking steps to develop ICT’s in schools &
Vocational Training Centers & Universities
– Monitoring & Evaluation
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Conclusion
• Project has progressed very successfully.
– This project has created a public awareness to help these
marginalized communities living / working in villages, schools
and Vocational Training Centers by equipping the special
schools, MCTs and villages with basic sets of ICT equipment
and facilities including Braille printers and other specific
technologies to enhance accessibility.
– The project has harnessed the power of ICTs for people with
disabilities and has empowered them to live and work with
confidence and has ensured their security and acceptance in
the societies.
– Has improved the living standards of persons with special
needs.
– Linking with other institutions
facilities.
for further improvement of
– Opportunities have opened up for person with disabilities and
institution’s to participate at international events, improve
and develop their knowledge and skills.
• ITU assistance greatly appreciated.
• Assistance from interested organizations are most
welcome.
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“Disability is not Inability”
Video clip
www.trc.gov.lk
Jagath_r@trc.gov.lk
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