According to the World Bank 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of physical or mental impairment with its prevalence being higher in developing countries. One-fifth of the estimated global total, or between 110 million and 190 million people, experience significant disabilities,
With a mission to fix the innovation value chain in Pakistan, the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom believes in equal representation of all social groups that include the large population of visually impaired emerging youth in the country. Therefore to accommodate the visually impaired, the Ignite National Technology Fund has launched a brand new website that has been specially designed to be inclusive for the internet users with visual impairments.
Commenting on the occasion, Yusuf Hussain CEO Ignite speaking to the local news said, “Ignite has already provided funding worth Rs124 million for training and development of new applications for people with mental or physical challenges. We employ innovation to help fellow citizens, challenged by impairments, to lead engaged and fulfilling lives.”
Furthermore, Mr. Atif Sheikh Executive Director STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program) added that the website was specially launched on the 11th of October as it is the World Sight Day for creating awareness, and it that also resonates perfectly with the Ignite philosophy of using ICT as a tool for wealth creation and upward mobility foreconomically/physically challenged groups of citizens.
