Twenty-eight persons on Thursday received certificates for completing a capacity building programme on web accessibility that is intended to ensure vital information and services are accessible to all citizens and particularly persons with disabilities.
At a simple ceremony in the boardroom of Colgrain House, on Camp Street, Georgetown, Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes distributed the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) certificates to the successful participants of the National Building Programme on Web Accessibility and the Online Design and Development of Accessible Websites.
The goal of the initiative is that governments develop accessible websites, so vital information and services provided by public agencies are accessible to all citizens, especially for persons with disabilities. The participants included staffers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).
Hughes, in her remarks, said the programme, which is named “Internet for @ll,” was created by the ITU to help its state members acquire the necessary knowledge and skill to develop and improve ICT accessibility policies and programmes as well as accessible websites in their respective countries. She revealed that Guyana is one of the first countries to embark on the initiative.
Further, she said her Ministry in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG) will soon be launching a programme at UG, where interested persons can opt to train in the two areas.
Meanwhile, Web Developer Jamie Skeete said that the programme at UG will be open to any interested person in the country. He said that he was glad that the GRA and NDMA participated in the workshop because they impact the lives of everyone, including persons with disabilities. “Now that they have completed the programme, they can now work towards ensuring a more inclusive environment in society for all persons in Guyana especially people with disability,” he added.
