From a long time back scientist has been trying their best to give access of ICT to differently able people. Stephen Hawking is one of the suitable examples that shows the importance of ICT in the life of a physically disabled person. ICT is equally important to all the people whether they are differently able or not.
Through technology, Hawking made an incredible contribution in the world of science. Technology has been helping differently able people from a different perspective; it has assisted them in education, health, business and many more.
Dr. Birendra Raj Pokharel, former president at National Disabled Federation says technology has changed the lives of physically challenged people; it has made the experience very easier. Earlier it was hard to get out of the home for disabled people, but technology has changed everything. Because of the technology the concept related to physically challenged people has also been improved.
Technology has done everything for us; it is like a god to us, said Khem Raj Sharma secretariat member at Nepal Association of the Blind.
In developed countries, physically disabled people themselves are engaged in making different apps and software. In the USA the blind people themselves have developed a driverless car. They can do any online tasks.
In Nepal also various software has been developed for blind people; screen reader software, speech to text and among others are some of the examples. Likewise, there is also some software for deaf persons which allows them to interact effortlessly. Another fantastic work of technology is an electric wheelchair; one shouldn’t have to use crutches just because of the technology.
The innovation for physically challenged people is increasing rapidly. The whole world is working hard for the more natural life of differently able people through technology.
Different researches are being conducted regarding the access of technology to differently able people. At current scene state, service provider, system developer, NGO/INGO and other bodies have started showing some seriousness regarding these matters.
A different eco-friendly vehicle, roads, and offices have been made for the disabled person. As per the reservation system in Nepal, for differently able people 5 percent of seats have been separated regarding government services. Nepal Telecom has given a special discount in a video call and SMS for those people. Similarly, the National bank has instructed all the banks to provide services from a special room for those people.
National Disabled Federation has made website accessibility guide and conducted various training to make differently able people aware of the ICT.
Equal access in ICT means every person should be able to use the internet and others stuff like mobile, software, app, computers and many more, said Dinesh Kaushal India- based activist.
Today, at least 15 percent of the world population is residing with a differently able person. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have the capacity for making significant progress in the lives of persons with disabilities, letting them amplify their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by expanding the scope of activities available to them.
Equal access to ICT can direct to better quality education, improved employment opportunities, as well as access to food, shelter, and security. These, among other things, are necessary for ensuring an excellent quality of life. For a person with disabilities, accessible ICT plays a crucial role in their ability to participate in daily life tasks. This is particularly true of individuals with disabilities dwelling in other nations where available technologies are rising, or there is little or no access to ICT.