Training Course on HAL

 

 

QSCCB, in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology, has organized on Sunday 12/4/2009, with the participation of seven blind, a training course on HAL software which allows them to use the computer and Internet normally as it converts the texts into a voice. This course is one of many course organized by ICTQatar for the blind in Qatar and in QSCCB. ICTQatar also provides software and devices that assist the blind to use the computer.

 

 

QSCCB Chairman Mr. Hassan Al-Kuwari stated that this course is a test course to see how much the blind in QSCCB would benefit from this software as to generalize it afterward on all the blind. He pointed out that ICTQatar would hold this course again to attract the largest number of blind and will provide the software and devices free of charges. He admired this positive step by ICTQatar and assured that it would benefit blind and assist them to deal with Information Technology normally like sighted people. He hoped that ICTQatar would organize more courses for the Blind within their efforts to provide technology for everybody, sighted and blind alike.

 

QSCCB Chairman said that blind software is very expensive. Ebsaar software for example alone costs QR 5000, without mentioning the cost of the computer itself. QSCCB alone cannot provide these software and devices without the support of the national companies and authorities. He expressed his regrets that some national companies and authorities refuse to provide their support and assistance to train the Blind, but there are some authorities, such as ICTQatar, that really provide an appreciated support to the blind in the field of Information Technology.

 

 

Mr. Fateh Abu Hejla, the trainer, said that this software provides the blind with the privacy he/she needs to use the computer without relying on others through voice commands. He mentioned that the course was held in 3 days and it aimed to teach the blind how to use HAL software which converts the texts into a voice such as emails. He also mentioned that this technology is found since a very long time in the west, but it's new in the Arab World.

 

 

Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber, General Secretary of ICTQatar, said: "It's our responsibility here, in the State of Qatar, to ensure that all our society's members benefit from the technology and not only a certain group of people. We have to work together to alter the perception that Technology is available for regular people but not disabled ones. We have to raise the awareness in the society that Communication and Information Technology has been made to help human to face challenges and overcome obstacles; This is the human justice we seek. We, in ICTQatar, strongly believe that the right to learn and connecting the individual to his/her society are two fundamental rights for each citizen. Making information and communication technology accessible to people with disabilities give them opportunities and make up for any physical or functional disability."

 

Dr. Al-Jaber added: "We aim to expand the accessibility to the technology to all the people in need of it in Qatar and this is part of Qatar's efforts to build a fair society. To help us achieve this aim, we have established a group of experts to set polices and mechanisms to provide the technology required for people with disabilities in Qatar. This group shall assist to overcome the obstacles that may limit the support needed by disabled people which would enable them to develop their abilities and skills to live independently and with dignity."

 

She pointed out that ICTQatar website www.ict.gov.qa can be browsed by people with visual, audio and motor disabilities, and she hopes that all the governmental authorities and bodies in Qatar would just follow this approach.