1. Universal Service Fund (USF) Pakistans Special Project on ICT for Persons with Disabilities Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Mainstreaming ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Noshin Masud Manager-Communications Universal Service Fund

2. Introduction of USF Established by Ministry of Information Technology Pakistan in December 2006 to: Increase telecom penetration in the country Broadband proliferation Enhancement of e-services

3. Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan More than 7% of the population living with disabilities 1.6 million people with visual disability 5 million people with low vision

4. USF Special Projects on ICT for Persons with Disabilities Background Announcement of 2 projects by Prime Minister of Pakistan on World Telecom & Information Society Day 2008 - Project for Persons with low vision with Al-Shifa Eye Trust - Project for Persons with visual disability with Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness

5. Project with Al-Shifa Eye Trust Introduction of Al-Shifa Eye Trust A non-governmental, non-political, charitable organization Aims of the trust are prevention and control of blindness Five components at all four provinces

6. Introduction of Al-Shifa Eye-Trust Al Shifa Eye Trust – Rawalpindi Al-Shifa Eye Trust - Sukkur Al-Shifa Eye Trust-Kohat

7. Low Vision Centre at Al-Shifa Eye Trust Established for the first time in Pakistan in 1993 Equipped with devices for training and rehabilitation of people with low vision Patient turnover -1,000-1,500 every year Prescribed or dispensed over 3,600 low vision aids.

8. Collaboration of Universal Service Fund & Al-Shifa Eye Trust Contract worth Rs. 25 Million (300,000 dollars) signed on July 07, 2008 to up-grade and establish low vision centres at Al-Shifa Eye Trust through ICT equipment.

9. Objectives of the Project Strengthening the low vision centre at Rawalpindi (Punjab) Upgrade and replicate the low vision centre at Sukkur (Sindh) To establish a low vision center at Kohat (NWFP)

10. Equipment funded by USF PCs & Accessories Servers Networking Equipment Broadband Connectivity Specialized ICT Equipment - Talking Caller ID

11. Equipment Provided by USF - Braille Translator - Braille Notetaker - Satellite Braille Display

12. Equipment Provided by USF - Zoom text large print keyboard - Optec Clearview-Colored Wide Screen - Big button mobile phone

13. Equipment Provided by USF - Magnifying Filter Screen - Scanning & Reading Appliances - Talking Calculator

14. Equipment provided by USF - Text to audio software - JAWS Screen Reading Software

15. Project with Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (PFFB) Introduction of PFFB - A national, non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) for the well being of persons with visual disability - Founded in 1988 by two visually impaired persons

16. Projects of PFFB Audio World Program - Providing education, information and entertainment through audio cassettes throughout Pakistan - 3000 students benefiting from this service - Recorded the curriculum and reading material IT Helpline Program - An internet café for persons with visual disability functioning since January 08, 2007 - Improving computing skills of visually impaired persons

17. Projects of PFFB

18. Collaboration of USF & PFFB Contract worth Rs. 6.2 Million (75,000 dollars) signed on September 15, 2008 Objectives - Digitalization of Audio World Library - Expanding accessible internet café

19. Facilities Provided by USF Audio World Program - Audio Duplicator Machine - Audio Decks - Professional Sound Cards - CD Burner - DVD Burner

20. Facilities Provided by USF IT Helpline Programme - Desktop Computers - Laptops - JAWS Software - Open Book Scanning and Reading Software - Magic Screen Magnification Software - Broadband Connectivity

21. Thank You