Qtel Pushes Accessibility Agenda with Mada

First Company to Achieve National Web Accreditation is Expanding Sign Language and Access Programme

Mobilk - Qtel is building on its success in being one of the first companies in Qatar to achieve e-accessibility certification with a host of measures designed to make it easier for people with special needs to enjoy the full benefits of technology.

   

Earlier in the month, Qtel was named as the first private sector organisation in the country to be accredited with the “Committed to Accessibility” badge by Mada (Qatar Assistive Technology Center), under its “National Web Accreditation Program.”

 

This recognition was achieved by Qtel’scommitmentto creating an accessible web portal that people with special needs can access easily and effectively. As one of the key strands of Qtel’s pioneering engagement programme – the “Connected” initiative – the portal helps Qtel to provide full support for every section of society. 

The “National Web Accreditation Program,” is a key initiative from Mada, which aims to contribute to making Qatar a regional leader in the field of e-accessibility. It recognises organisations that have either exhibited a concrete commitment to a certain level of accessibility through their online resources.

 

Qtel’s website will be offering an increasing range of applications and access points for people with physical, visual and hearing disabilities. The company is also expanding this level of support in its physical stores and points of sale, including providing wheelchair access and training customer service representatives in sign language.

 

Qtel is also expanding the range of special discounts, special handsets and accessories available for its customers. For the visually-impaired, Qtel offers Gold Mobile Speak Easy, which is a bilingual software reader application that enables the use of speech to make and receive calls, compose and read SMS, MMS, and e-mail, and even download books to be read aloud.

 

For people who are audibly challenged, Qtel provides special discounts on dual camera phones, and on video and text message services.

 

Qatar’s ongoing commitment towards implementing international standards for web accessibility is complimented by the presence of the Qatar Assistive Technology Center, which is committed to bridging the digital divide for people with special needs. Through expert advice and assessment, ongoing training, and a technology provision system, more and more people with special needs living in Qatar are enjoying the benefits of ICT.

 

The Mada National Web Accreditation Program is comprised of three levels. They are “Access Committed,” for organisations that make a concrete commitment towards establishing an accessible web presence by a certain date, “Access Certified,” to those organisations that have achieved a certain level of accessibility, and the “Access Award,” for those websites that have shown excellence in the field of e-accessibility.