A protocol of cooperation has been signed between the ministries of Communication and Information Technology; Social Solidarity; and Manpower, for the benefit of people with disabilities.
The protocol of cooperation looks to empower the National Network for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Services, ++ Taheel (rehabilitation)++ which was launched in 2021 and runs under the slogan: “Ability is revealed through your difference”.
The Network is one of the community initiatives that aim to support the inclusion of persons with disabilites, and to build their digital capacities to qualify them for the labour market.
Attending the signing ceremony were Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Communication and ICT Amr Talaat, Minister of Social Solidarity Nivine El-Kabbag, and Minister of Manpower Hassan Shehata.
The cooperation protocol comes within the government’s endeavours to offer equal services and opportunities to persons with disabilities. The government, PM Madbouly said, is taking all practical measures to integrate people with disabilities into national projects and initiatives. It aspires to invest in their capabilities as an important element on the way of improving the lives of all Egyptians.
According to Mr Talaat, the cooperation protocol aims to facilitate the access of persons with disabilities to the services provided to them by the government, and at the same time to answer the needs of the labour market in Egypt. On the other hand, Mr Talaat explained, the digital platform should also make it possible for the government to reach the largest number of its target groups including persons with disabilities, companies, entrepreneurs, and civil society associations and institutions, and achieve automatic compatibility between them by using technology such as artificial intelligence.
Mr Talaat pointed out that that the Ministry of Communications will be concerned with the technical aspects related to the operation of the network, the establishment of databases for the services provided, and the maintenance of the digital platform. The Ministry will also develop an electronic system to ensure confidentiality of the data, information and documents on the network.
Both the ministries of Social Solidarity and Manpower will be concerned with the operation of the platform, and with linking it to all services provided by the ministries. In order to do that, the Ministry of Communication and ICT will offer training programmes for employees on the operation of the digital platform.
++Taheel++ was created and developed in partnership between the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). The Network is aimed at helping young persons with disabilities find decent jobs through a network of digital services, bringing together in one place entities providing rehabilitation, training, and employment programmes. The Network also seeks to build an integrated system for all the national efforts for training, qualifying and supporting persons with disabilites to find job opportunities.
++Taheel++ facilitates access of people with hearing loss, using sign language to present content, as well as visually impaired persons, using screen reader programmes. It also allows users to receive notifications to stay updated, and provides technological tools and applications to share content in order to exchange ideas, experiences, and success stories.
Watani International
23 January 2023
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