e-Disabled Project September 2008 REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad Enabling access to ICT for disabled people Tarek Ben Youssef Project Leader

e-Disabled: presentation  Project Context  Project Objectives  Partners and Speakers Project background Project components  Education and training  Access to remote services: teleservices Perspectives for the future

Project context The development of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are invading the audiovisual landscape and penetrating in different degrees every field (services, industry, university, research…) A gap is growing, for people with special needs and particularly for disabled people, due to obstacles that hinder access to ICT.

Enable access to ICTs for people with disabilities in order to:  facilitate access to education, training and culture,  facilitate access to remote services,  contribute to the creation of employment opportunities. ِِِِ Project Objectives :

Financing and monitoring Execution And follow-up B.M. & M.T.C. MASSTE Project Manager/ Contractor Budget USD 1.3 M Others :  Ministries  NGOs Partners Technical assistance and follow- up Project’s Partners

Project background

The disability situation in Tunisia According to a census from , the disabled population comes to about 152,000. (sources : MASSTE and INS) According to a census from , the disabled population comes to about 152,000. (sources : MASSTE and INS)

Disability situation in Tunisia

Disability prevalence rate by region

Disability situation in Tunisia (contd.) Disabled people (age 10 to 29) illiteracy rate by disability type Disabled people (age 10 to 29) illiteracy rate by disability type

National Prevention Strategy Based essentially on strengthening disability prevention and early detection, notably through: Based essentially on strengthening disability prevention and early detection, notably through: Development of a perinatality national program, Development of a perinatality national program, Work against disability-inducing illnesses, Work against disability-inducing illnesses, Review of the pre-nuptial tests content and generalization of its use Review of the pre-nuptial tests content and generalization of its use Organization of media campaigns about the importance of this issue. Organization of media campaigns about the importance of this issue.

Disabled people case management Improve life conditions for disabled people through free transportation and environment conversion Improve life conditions for disabled people through free transportation and environment conversion Aid programs for disabled people not able to work Aid programs for disabled people not able to work Assist in the economic inclusion of disabled people that are able to work Assist in the economic inclusion of disabled people that are able to work

Disabled people case management (contd.) Strengthen the 24 regional rehabilitation unit ’ s capacity for intervention. Strengthen the 24 regional rehabilitation unit ’ s capacity for intervention. Integrate disabled pupils in education institutions of Integrate disabled pupils in education institutions of Upgrade 269 specialized education, training and readaptation centers that depend on associations that host more that disabled pupils. Upgrade 269 specialized education, training and readaptation centers that depend on associations that host more that disabled pupils.

Distribution of special education centers by locality (delegation)

Project e-disabled

Project Components: Two components: Education and training Access to remote services: teleservices

COMPONENT -1- « EDUCATION AND TRAINING»

 Development of digital applications of the Ministry of Education and Training’s official programs from pre- school level to basic school 6 th year.  Creation of 24 special education pilot centers (one center per gouvernorat), in order to allow disabled people to access learning, knowledge and culture and leisure activities in accordance with the educational standards in force, through adequate use of the ICTs.  Applications widely available in all special education centers and inclusive schools. Presentation

Objectives  Give disabled people access to higher training levels, which will facilitate their economic insertion.  Equal opportunities to access education and training through the use of ICRs (e- learning.)

Adapted Programs Content of the Ministry of Education and Training’s official digital programs made available to pupils with: Impairments mainly in upper limbs, hands, with difficulties in «fine touch » (Ex : myopathy…) Mental impairment, light or medium Hearing impairment, Visual impairment.

 Touch screen  Adapted keyboard  Ball mouse  Specific software (Super-Nova for poor-sighted or blind people.) Adapted Tools

Presentation of a special education center 8 touch screen PCs 8 touch screen PCs Large-font keyboards with finger-guide and ball mouse Large-font keyboards with finger-guide and ball mouse Local network Local network 8 ergonomic tables with crank handle to adjust their height. 8 ergonomic tables with crank handle to adjust their height. 8 ergonomic chairs 8 ergonomic chairs Education applications for 7 levels (from pre- school to basic school 6 th year). Education applications for 7 levels (from pre- school to basic school 6 th year). Average cost per center: Average cost per center:  Materials : USD 15,000  Software price: USD 220,000

This is my school. If you want to visit it, click on the large door.

Targeted population Nearly 3,000 disabled pupils have used this software during school year 2007 – Nearly 3,000 disabled pupils have used this software during school year 2007 – ,000 disabled children will be reached by the program in 2008 – ,000 disabled children will be reached by the program in 2008 – 2009 Generalization to the whole targeted population is expected by the end of Generalization to the whole targeted population is expected by the end of 2009.

Virtual schools and perspectives of future Already developed educational programs will be used in virtual schools in Tunisia. Already developed educational programs will be used in virtual schools in Tunisia. Development of applications for levels from 7 th basic years to baccalaureat. Development of applications for levels from 7 th basic years to baccalaureat.

COMPONENT 2 : «Orientation and service outlets» Tele-services

Tele-service offices that will enable handicaped people to remotely access different services such as: Tele-service offices that will enable handicaped people to remotely access different services such as:  Socio-economic and cultural information  « Communication Administration ». These offices are equipped with: These offices are equipped with:  Computer equipment adapted for any disability type  A tele-service office users follow-up software. Presentation

Presentation of a tele-service center One touch-screen PC and two ordinary PCs One touch-screen PC and two ordinary PCs One Braille screen and specific software One Braille screen and specific software A laser printer and a Braille printer with soundproofing case A laser printer and a Braille printer with soundproofing case A Scanner and a fax A Scanner and a fax A local network A local network All the necessary equipment for connection to the Internet All the necessary equipment for connection to the Internet Average cost per centre: USD 360,000. Average cost per centre: USD 360,000.

Future Development Tele-services offices available in all « gouvernorats » (2008) Tele-services offices available in all « gouvernorats » (2008) Standardization of sites, in particular those related to public services: the « e-accessibility » being executed by the Ministry of Communication Technologies will allow the standardization of public sites: Ijtimaia, Handicap and SICAD (Remote Administrative Information and Communication System) (planned for 2008). Standardization of sites, in particular those related to public services: the « e-accessibility » being executed by the Ministry of Communication Technologies will allow the standardization of public sites: Ijtimaia, Handicap and SICAD (Remote Administrative Information and Communication System) (planned for 2008).

Thank You !