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Computers at E-Access Centre Adapted to Special Needs of Individuals

People with special needs will henceforth be able to visit the E-Access Centre that has been established in Rga by Apeirons, an organisation for differently abled people and their friends, in partnership with Microsoft Latvia. There they will find computers that have been adapted to their special needs. There are lots of people in Latvia with functional problems, as well as elderly people and others who have difficulties in using a computer for one reason or another. Even if someone has a paralysed arm, a lack of movement abilities or co-ordination, or other health problems, modern information technologies can offer solutions related to special software, as well as supportive technologies.


Dace Rodzia, a representative of Apeirons, is also the director of the Open Doors project, and she says that people accept the idea that automobiles can be adapted to individual needs by raising or lowering the steering wheel and the seat, but the same is also true with computers, which can have a different mouse, a different keyboard, etc.  Even completely paralysed people can work with a computer by using their voice or alternative technologies.

Apeirons believes that people who cannot use their hands do not need to be taught to type with their nose, because people are not created for equipment equipment is created to satisfy peoples needs.  The organisation is calling for ways of changing the technologies as such.  The new centre, in response, is offering new opportunities for people with special needs, but it also offers employers, educators and social workers consultations and information about how software can be adapted for such needs and what kinds of technologies are available.

Microsoft Latvija director Sandis Kolomenskis says that the adaptation of equipment for personal needs is still a relatively unknown process in Latvia, but elsewhere in the world that is by no means true.  Yes, its not cheap a specialised mouse or other types of equipment and assistance resources can be costly, and they are not available in Latvia at this time.  The hope is that resources will be found to provide people who have special needs with these new things.

Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Affairs of Latvia, Signe Blia, says that information and communications technologies today are an everyday matter for some two-thirds of the people of Latvia.  Technologies that are adapted for people with special needs offer an opportunity for such people to join that community in terms of social life and employment.  The minister says that the new E-Access Centre offers an excellent chance to overcome digital alienation and to ensure that technologies are no barrier against anyones ability to communicate with others and with the state.

Blias secretariat has extensive and good co-operation with Apeirons.  Theyve worked together to ensure that the homepages of state and local government institutions have an easy language section which offers basic information about the relevant institutions operations.  The Cabinet of Ministers, for its part, has issued instructions on assistive technical resources which speak to more easily accessed information and communications technologies.

 

Source: LETA news agency


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