7 - Targeted Strategic Initiatives Third: NEPAD The New Partnership for Africa’s Development, an African Union strategic framework for panAfrican socioeconomic development, is both a vision and a policy framework for Africa, aimed at addressing critical challenges facing the continent: poverty, development and Africa’s marginalization internationally. NEPAD provides opportunities for African countries to take full control of their development agenda, to work more closely together, and to cooperate more effectively with international partners. NEPAD manages a number of programs and projects in six thematic areas: Agriculture and food security Climate change and national resource management Regional integration and infrastructure Human development gender, The ICT track includes the e-Africa program, created to develop policies, strategies and projects at the continent’s . The program aims to pursue cross-sector initiatives to entrench ICT in all sectors, develop e-services and raise Africa’s digital competitiveness. 76 77 MCIT is paying a special attention to people with disabilities in the 2012- 2017 sector strategy. The ministry is currently working on a long-term strategy with the participation of representatives of this group that focuses on integrating people with disabilities in the Egyptian society, rehabilitating and empowering them through information and communications technology in order to ensure their participation in the development process. Current status assessment: Economic and corporate governance Cross-cutting issues, including capacity development and ICT 7.5 ICT for Empowering People with Disabilities Initiative Ensuring communication with all segments of the Egyptian society and providing ICT for development services are two of the most important objectives of the ministry. In order to achieve these objectives, the ministry has worked since its inception to build a strong information society. However, and despite all effort, the needs of PWD remains a major challenge. Egypt is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, supporting the efforts of the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to people with disabilities, and to ensure they are able to enjoy their full rights, make decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent, and function as active members of society. In the same year, Egypt held the First Arab Regional Forum on Sharing Experience on Best Practices in ICT Services for Persons with Disabilities. The resulting Cairo Declaration on Supporting Access to Information and Communications Technology Services for Persons with Disabilities emphasized the need to develop and use ICTs as assistive tools to provide services to people with disabilities, and identify the roles of government entities, research centers, universities, civil society and the private sector in providing such services. The declaration also covered legislation and regulations, collection of accurate information and statistics, means to increase opportunities for employment, and provision of access to high-quality ICT devices and services at affordable prices. Description: The ICT for Empowering People with Disabilities Initiative, is a long-term strategy, involving the participation of people with disabilities and organizations representing their interests. The Initiative focuses on integrating people with disabilities in the Egyptian society, and empowering them through ICTs. It aims at removing barriers and facilitating opportunities for people with disabilities – using ICTs to develop their abilities and potential – and enabling them to enjoy their rights, fulfill their responsibilities, and participate fully in developing their communities and society. The primary objectives of this initiative are: Promoting access to information and knowledge and strengthening personal interaction and communication: Launching a web portal covering issues of concern to people with disabilities, and ensuring provision of internet services at reduced cost, with the aim of facilitating their access to information and knowledge, protecting their right to freedom of expression and raising awareness about assistive devices Collaborating with relevant government agencies and local and international companies to provide computers for persons with disabilities Providing specialized software and relevant training for people with disabilities through the national network of Technology Homes Providing courses in sign language and audio programs to facilitate correct pronunciation of letters Improving the quality and accessibility of services: Facilitating access to and use of the physical environment by persons with disabilities through the development of public facilities and services – including enhancement of e-government services, adaptation of post offices and telephone exchanges, and facilitation of access to online financial and banking services Implementing disability assistance programs, such as telemedicine services and free audio book libraries Launching a hotline to serve people with disabilities, with the aim of establishing a direct link with the community and collecting information in order to serve them betterHotline services will include directories of inclusive schools and centers, as well as useful medical and legal information