Zimpapers Logo

Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), through the Universal Service Fund (USF), has secured equipment worth US$142 000 for people living with disabilities.

The equipment includes fusion software, which is used by students with visual impairments, laptops and audio-verifit scans.
Beneficiaries are Emerald Hill, Karoi High School, Margaretha Hugo High School (Copota), Mckertuan Primary School, National League for the Blind, Jairos Jiri and National Rehabilitation Centre.

USF is empowering people with special needs to close the digital divide between those who are able-bodied and those with disabilities.

The fund also seeks to promote digital inclusion among people with special needs by addressing the shortage of assistive gadgets, e-learning and teaching resources in learning institutions.

Speaking at a handover ceremony of the equipment and software on Monday, Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete said in an increasingly evolving digital age, information and communication technologies (ICTs) had potential to make “significant improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities”.

Dr Machengete said this allowed them to improve their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities at their disposal.

“The need of digital inclusion and to mitigate the digital divide between people with disabilities and those without, USF is funding the procurement of software and hardware to assist in the education of people with disabilities,” he said.

“In support of the current educational curriculum enacted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the USF mandate, Potraz embarked on a project to provide ICT services to institutions for people with special needs.’’
Jairos Jiri resource mobilisation executive, Ms Grace Kamanga, expressed gratitude to the gesture by Potraz.
“I do not know how to say thank you,” she said.

“Last year, we came 6th in the whole district of Sanyati, our students at Jairos Jiri Karema School of the Blind passed with flying colours because they are now able to research with the computers we received last year.

“The computers have brought so much joy into our lives. With more computers, the students will continue to improve themselves and excel like any other able-bodied person.’’