Introduction

 

Syria is one of the pilot countries for ICTARB. Working with its partners, ICTDAR is providing hardware, software, and training in two pilot centers, allowing the visually-impaired individuals to get ICT training and have access to knowledge through a Braille and Audio library, and ultimately helping them become more independent and better integrated in their communities.

 

Partners

  • ICTDAR/ UNDP Syria
    • Prime for the project coordination and implementation including chairing the steering committee
    • Engage in fund raising for the project and coordinate agreements between different donors.
    • Provide all software required for the visually impaired ( Braille/ Audio library and recorders)
    • Provide technical assistance & expertise in ICT for development as required
    • Monitoring and evaluation of the project
    • Set the Media Strategy

  • Strategic ICT Programme for Socio-Economic Development in Syria (ICT-P)
    • Location of the centers in Syria
    • Operational costs of the project
    • Management & trainers
    • Volunteers for the animation project
    • Library management
    • Project management
    • Network installation and internet connectivity
    • Provisioning of 4 PCs in each center.

  • Sakhr software (An Egyptian SW company, pioneering research & development of SW for visually impaired persons)
    • Provide software for the visually impaired, donating 50% of the cost
    • Train the Trainers on software usage
    • Provide technical support and maintenance for 1 year
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Activities & Outcomes


Establishment of community facilities to provide ICT services for the visually impaired

  • Pilot Locations.

    • Activity: Determine the pilot location for implementing the project
    • Prime: ICT-P in consultation with ICTDAR
    • Outcome: The Salameya location was selected for phase 1 & Ma’arat- Al No’maan for Phase 2.
    • Justification: Salameya, located in between the 2 major urban centers of Homs and Hama, has one the highest percentage of visually impaired persons in Syria.
    • Remarks: Over 1.5% of Syria’s 55 000 visually impaired persons are within reasonable reach of this center.

  • Hardware Installation - Salameya.

    • Activity: Install 4 PCs, 1 Braille printer and one OCR machine and recorder
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome: All were purchased and installed, except OCR machine will not be required with updated Ibsar software version
    • Remarks: The PCs were provided by ICT-P, while the Braille printer was purchased by ICTDAR

  • Software Installation - Salameya.

    • Activity: Install MS software and 4 Ibsar SW packages.
    • Prime: Sakhr
    • Outcome: All were purchased and installed
    • Remarks: ICTDAR and Sakhr Software split the cost of the Ibsar SW.

  • Network Installation - Salameya.

    • Activity: LAN & Internet connectivity
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome: Servers & routers were purchased, configured and installed. Internet access was provided.
    • Remarks: Salameya centre is connected.

  • Hardware Installation – Ma’arat- Al No’maan.

    • Activity: Install 4 PCs, 1 Braille printer and one recorder
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome:
    • Remarks: 2006

  • Software Installation - Ma’arat- Al No’maan.

    • Activity: Install MS software and 4 Ibsar SW packages.
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome:
    • Remarks: 2006

  • Network Installation - Ma’arrat- Al Nou’man.

    • Activity: LAN & Internet connectivity
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome:
    • Remarks: 2006

  Skills Development - Institutional

  • Training of Trainers - Salameya.

    • Activity: Train 6 people on Ibsar SW
    • Prime: Sakhr Software
    • Outcome: Sakhr provided training for 6 people in Salameya premises from June 5 th until June 9 th, 2005. The purpose is to build the skills and resources in Salameya center to meet the needs of the visually impaired persons in integrating information and communication technology to better accomplish their development activities.
    • Remarks: One week comprehensive training course (40 hours).  

  • Knowledge Transfer - Salameya.

    • Activity: Provide technical and management guidance to the participants
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: The participants will be able to roll out future centers with less involvement from ICTDAR. This knowledge transfer occurs through the hands on work that was carried out by all participants during the implementation
    • Remarks: Ma’arrat Al-Nou’man is being rolled out by the local partner. 
Skills Development - Individual
  • Train the Beneficiaries - Salameya.

    • Activity: Provide training for the visually impaired
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome: In the first phase, 7 trainees, ranging in age between 12 & 40 years old, were enrolled and completed a comprehensive course on basic ICT as well as the use of Ibsar SW
    • In the second phase, completed in August 2005, an additional 32 trainees completed the course.
    • Additional training courses will be offered as need arises.
    • Remarks:

  • Train the Beneficiaries - Ma’arrat- Al Nou’man.

    • Activity: Provide training for the visually impaired
    • Prime: ICT-P
    • Outcome:
    • Remarks: The 7 trainers from Salameya center will do the TOT for Ma’arat Al No’maan center
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