POTRAZ training people with disability in digital skills

Harare (New Ziana) -The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is training people with disabilities throughout the country in basic digital skills, with 219 having benefited so far since it started last year, an official has said.

POTRAZ is implementing the program through its Universal Services Fund (USF) department with the assistance of the Computer Society of Zimbabwe.

The USF is a pool of funds that companies in the sector contribute (about 1.5 percent of their gross annual turnover), which is used to provide telecommunications services in underserved areas of Zimbabwe.

USF deputy director Tichafa Mujuru said the training was part of the journey towards technological inclusion and empowerment.

He said this while addressing participants who had completed a five-day workshop on basic digital skills in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province on Friday.

“The Internet Society has been with us throughout this journey, and we thank them for that. This workshop had 32 participants, which brings to 219 the number of people with disabilities who have been trained since we started last year. Last year we trained 127 and our target for this year is 337 people,” said Mujuru.

Provinces covered so far include Manicaland, Mashonaland West, and Midlands, where 30 people each were trained, Bulawayo (67) and Mashonaland Central (32).

Mujuru commended the Bindura University of Science Education for availing its facilities for hosting the workshop.

He also commended the participants for their eagerness to learn, adapt, and thrive in an increasingly digital world, expressing confidence that they would continue to inspire others to do the same.

Mujuru said POTRAZ was committed to promoting digital inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities, with the workshops being a testament to its ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for people to harness technology to unleash their full potential.

New Ziana