Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility
Encyclopedia
The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) was founded by the National Commission Disabled Persons (KNPD) and the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) in the year 2000 with the purpose of promoting the effective use of ICT
to promote better quality of life for disabled persons
.
FITA's principle function is to provide support to disabled individuals in overcoming or removing barriers to education
and employment
through ICT. Through empowerment
and social inclusion disabled persons need to rely less on family and state support. In ensuring that due steps are taken to minimise the digital divide
, FITA aims to enable individuals to contribute productively to society and the economy
.
FITA's mission objectives are the following:
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
to promote better quality of life for disabled persons
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
.
FITA's principle function is to provide support to disabled individuals in overcoming or removing barriers to education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
through ICT. Through empowerment
Empowerment
Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, racial, educational, gender or economic strength of individuals and communities...
and social inclusion disabled persons need to rely less on family and state support. In ensuring that due steps are taken to minimise the digital divide
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
, FITA aims to enable individuals to contribute productively to society and the economy
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
.
FITA's mission objectives are the following:
- To promote equal opportunities for all through ICT
- To provide training services in ICT for disabled people
- To gather and disseminate information and to increase awareness on ICT matters;
- To liaise with and facilitate public and private endeavours in respect of the creation of equal opportunities in respect of ICT
- To offer advice and consultancy services to private and public organisations in information technology