Tunis — The El Ghazala technological pole is hosting on May 15, 2008 a one- day international forum on "Digital accessibility: A chance for the promotion of the disabled".

The forum which is organized by the very dynamic Tunisian association for the promotion of digital technologies and human resources (ATTR) and the Research Unit in information and communication technologies (UTIC), is held within the framework of the celebration of the World telecommunications and ICT Day, and will gather experts, university researchers, and representatives of associations from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Canada, Germany and France.

Several panels are scheduled as part of the agenda of this pioneering forum, namely "Policies and legislations in favor of digital accessibility", "digital accessibility at the service of the training and the culture of the disabled", "applied research and recent innovations in the field of accessibility", and "ICT and sharing of knowledge: success stories and eye witness accounts", in addition to a round table on the strategies and perspectives in terms of digital accessibility".

In his opening address to the forum, Mr El Hadj Gley, the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, stressed the particular care and attention President Ben Ali grants to the disabled , as part of his commitment to guarantee human rights and equality of chances for all citizens, by fighting against any form of discrimination.

He also stressed the role of the State in supplying the necessary computer equipments adapted to the specific needs of the disabled, such as key boards with 'Braille' technology and sound based software, enabling the visually impaired to use the computer.

Mr Gley, further voiced his satisfaction as to the support brought by Tunisian civil society, in this field so as to ensure the integration of the disabled in social life, hailing in particular the role played by the "Basma Association" for the promotion of employment among the disabled.

The event, which is in line with the recommendations of the Tunis 2005 WSIS, is the first of its kind to give a theoretical, as well as a practical focus on the issue of digital accessibility to the social and economic integration of people with specific needs.