Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training provides people with disabilities with a skill that assists them to gain employment and actively participate in the development process. Access to information and communications, including assistive technologies has been identified by the UN as one of seven priority areas under its Biwako Millennium Framework, the policy guiding the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
The ICT training unit of BPKS provides a three-month long training course for 8 participants with physical and partial hearing disabilities and a 6 month course for 4 participants with visual disabilities from the grassroots level a number of times a year. The course is designed to introduce people with disabilities to computer systems as part of BPKS' vocational training program. The title of the course is “Basic Computer Applications and Office Management”. The training course teaches Basic Computer Operating Systems and Applications Program and how to adapt technology to overcome disabilities. The basic components of the course include an introduction to computer and its’ operating systems as well as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Access, connections to Internet (e-mailing, and Web browsing) and Computer Maintenance. The majority of participants have not had previous computer experience due to a lack of infrastructure including accessibility at the village level, but have a minimum educational level of Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Participants come to the BPKS Complex in Dhaka to complete the course at no cost. The BPKS course is unique in Dhaka in that it is a residential, no fee paying course. BPKS believes this support is necessary to provide opportunities to gain employment for people with disabilities and also to demonstrate to society the capacity and skills of people with disabilities.
Between 2002 and 2006 the BPKS ICT Section had completed 11 batches of ICT training, with 117 PWDs receiving training. 95% of the students successfully completed their course, with a number of them going on to obtain jobs in different government and non-government organizations as a result of the training.
Year
Batch Number
Total Students
Male
Female
Physical
Speech & Hearing
Partial Visual
Multiple
Visual
2002
B1
12
8
4
9
2
1
0
0
2003
B2
12
8
4
10
1
1
0
0
B3
12
8
4
11
1
0
0
0
2004
B4
9
8
1
8
1
0
0
0
B5
10
6
4
7
0
0
0
3
2005
B6
6
6
0
4
0
2
0
0
B7
11
6
2
6
1
1
0
3
B8
7
5
5
6
0
1
0
0
2006
B9
10
7
3
6
0
0
0
4
B10
7
4
3
6
1
0
0
0
B11
10
6
4
6
1
0
1
2
2007
B12
11
6
5
8
0
0
0
3
TOTAL
117
78
39
87
8
6
1
15
Students
with Disabilities at
BPKS's ICT Training center
Activities
