THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana (UG) to train special needs persons to become computer literate under a programme called Web Accessibility.

The signing ceremony was held at the ministry’s headquarters at Colgrain House on Camp Street, Georgetown. Also known as the “Internet for all” initiative, the training is aimed at assisting special needs students of the university in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and improve Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessibility, policies and programmes. The web accessibility programme is also aimed at ensuring that no one within the special needs community is left behind in the world’s growing technological era. The programme is among many other initiatives being undertaken by the ministry, and is aimed at ensuring that all Guyanese are part of the global and digital world.

Speaking at the event, Minister Catherine Hughes said, “The signing of this (MoU) is a forward movement along the path towards fulfilling the promises made to Guyana’s community of persons living with disabilities. The government, as you know, has taken an all-in approach to bring persons with disabilities into the mainstream public light, i.e. the working environment, to offer them the same opportunities to learn, earn, and access web content and software that were created specifically for their use.”

The minister also highlighted that a part of the course is geared at training website developers to establish various Guyanese websites in both the public and private sectors that will allow persons with disabilities to access the Internet. Minister Hughes further stated that one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (2030) speaks to easy access to the Internet is a human right. “Therefore, persons with disabilities are encouraged to use the Internet more. It is mandatory that they are able to access websites that provide them with information and education, the same way any other citizen would be able to,” Minister Hughes stated.

UG’s Professor Michael Scott, whose office will be responsible for the aforementioned course, said, “It’s important to recognise that all human resources are critical to our development. We all have our limitations, but the reality is that we need to ensure that all our human resources can rise above such limitations with help from media; we can make a difference in their lives. We recognise that it is imperative that we give them such opportunities.”