- Digital inclusion
- English
- Mikaila Collymore
Introductory
- Credit card
Event organizer(s)
Description
While many individuals with disabilities are technologically savvy, persons with disabilities in general are faced with a digital gap. This is further compounded by digital gaps along lines of gender and socio-economic status, amongst others. These digital gaps need to be addressed, if we want to ensure that persons with disabilities do not miss out on the opportunities provided by the digital economy. To this end, this course will highlight the importance of delivering equal access to technology, resources and information for persons with disabilities to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Additionally, this course will seek to foster participants' understanding of how exclusion from digital participation occurs and explore mitigation strategies and tools that enable inclusive participation in the digital world.
This course is designed for public authorities, members of the private sector, developers and service providers in the digital industry, social partners (trade unions and employers organizations), and persons in academia.
No prior knowledge or qualification on the subject matter is required to attend this training course.
The aim of this training course is to strengthen participants’ capacity in and commitment to improving equity in the digital environment in the workplace for persons with disabilities.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the concept of digital inclusion in the workplace;
- Discuss the barriers to digital inclusion in the workplace;
- Recommend different assistive technologies and alternative information and communication technologies (ICTs) that provide greater access to persons with disabilities;
- Devise a digital inclusion strategy for an organization;
- Design a digital inclusion implementation plan for an organization;
- Create an action-oriented framework that systematically integrates digital inclusion into an organization.
This online instructor-led course is designed to be inclusive for all persons interested in the subject matter including blind persons or persons with visual disabilities, deaf persons and/or persons with hearing impairments, as it has been developed in digitally accessible formats. The course will be delivered via Zoom which supports different accessibility features. Participants will be engaged through synchronous PowerPoint presentations, in-class discussions, and practical activities.
Participants’ performance in this course will be assessed using module quizzes, a case study analysis, and an implementation plan, weighted as follows:
- Module Quizzes – 15%
- Students will complete a quiz at the end of each module. Each quiz will focus on the topic covered in the module.
- Case Study Analysis – 35%
- Students will analyse a case study where they will assess the effectiveness of digital inclusion strategies implemented within an organization and provide a report of their findings and proposed enhancements or solutions.
- Assistive Technology Implementation Plan – 50%
- Participants will develop a plan to integrate assistive technologies into a workplace, tailored to support employees with disabilities.
A total score higher than 70% is required to obtain the ITU certificate.
Week 1
October 8 & 10, 2024 (Tuesday & Thursday)
Module 1
- Understanding the Disability Divide in the workplace
- Digital Inclusion Definition
- Principles of an Inclusive Digital Transformation
Key learning points
- Examine the importance of digital inclusion in the workplace.
- Identify the barriers to digital inclusion for persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Module 2
Main Levers for the Digital Inclusion of People with Disabilities (including blind persons or persons with visual disabilities, deaf persons and/or persons with hearing impairments)
Key learning points
- Explore ways to ensure accessibility, promote digital skills and to foster digital employment.
Week 2
October 15 & 17, 2024 (Tuesday & Thursday)
Module 3
- Bridging the Disability Divide through Digital Technologies including AI technologies
- Connectivity: Ensuring Digital Readiness for Persons with Disabilities
Key learning points
- Examine the different types of assistive technologies and software available for persons with disabilities including learning difficulties, visual impairments, and varied linguistic needs.
Week 3
October 22 & 24, 2024 (Tuesday & Thursday)
Module 4
Implementing Digital Inclusion in the Organization
Key learning points
Develop a framework and action plan to ensure general training and digital infrastructure are accessible
Week 4
October 28 – November 3, 2024
Students will use this week to work on the Case Study Analysis Report and the Assistive Technology Implementation Plan
Key learning points
- Assess the effectiveness of digital inclusion strategies implemented within an organization.
- Recommend solutions or enhancements to digital inclusion strategies used within an organization.
Week 5
November 4 – 8, 2024
Students will use this week to continue to work on the Assistive Technology Implementation Plan
Key learning points
- Devise a plan to integrate assistive technologies within an organization to support employees with disabilities.
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.