Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility
The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) was founded by the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) and the National Commission Disabled Persons (KNPD) in the year 2000 with the purpose of promoting the effective use of ICT to promote better quality of life for disabled persons. FITA is the principal advocate and coordinator for making information communications technology (ICT) accessible for disabled people in the Maltese islands.
FITA's principle function is to provide support to disabled individuals in overcoming or removing barriers to education and employment through Design for All (in 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:
- 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
It was late in they year 2000, following discussions by the Malta Information Technology Agency ([MITA]) and the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD), that it was observed, that despite the huge difference, technology can bring to the lives of persons with disability, it was ironically this pervasive social aspect which presented the greatest risk of disabled people falling victim to the so-called Digital Divide. MITA took action in April 2001, by setting up the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility, known as FITA; providing it with the support necessary to bring about the breakthroughs and innovation which characterise the ICT sector.
When still lacking adequate office space, in early 2002 FITA consolidated its training facilities by obtaining trainer certification from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and the British Computer Association of the Blind [BCAB]. This was quickly followed by FITA’s first involvement in an EU funded project; a Leonardo project called GetResults, which featured accessible entrepreneurship training material for all participants, irrespective of impairment.
2003 saw FITA's first ICT training courses for persons with an intellectual and/or communication difficulty. Thanks to the support of volunteer [MCAST] students, this was an immediate success. With funding from MITA new courses were designed, focusing around specialised areas like Podcasting, Blogging and Online Social Networks. Together with MCAST and the Education’s Directorate for Lifelong Learning, FITA address the learning needs of a consistent 60 students per annum, plus an additional course in Gozo, through assistance from the Ministry for Gozo. These students not only boast a good ECDL exam pass rate, but in most instances, the resulting increase in self-confidence, spurs them to progress further with their studies, in other areas too.
Seeking to facilitate access to Broadband Internet for persons with disability, FITA partnered with GO plc and Melita plc in 2004, in order to negotiate favourable telephony and Internet rates for disabled people, These offers were made available principally to visually impaired and deaf clients, who, because of their impairment, made above average use of such communication media. Eventually Melita plc extended an offer to all persons with disability, irrespective of impairment.
In 2005 FITA expanded its services into the development of accessible software. FITA’s software was unique in that it promoted the use of a Maltese language interface and high customisability. At about the same time, collaboration with the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund (PHRF) provided premises for the setting up of a computer refurbishment workshop. Both these services are still ongoing, although, understandably, supply and demand of refurbished computers has dwindled over the past years. FITA has also collaborated with [Microsoft] (MS) a number of times, on the distribution of MS software to persons with disability. FITA combined these initiatives with research exercises and, thanks to the support of MITA, over the years has been able to continue with this trend. A set of research documents tracing the use and expectations of persons with disability in relation to ICT, in Malta is available for the FITA website. The last of these, carried out by Ernst & Young, was published in 2014.
2007 was characterised by close collaboration with the then Employment Training Corporation (ETC). Together ETC and FITA provided a number of work experiences for persons with disability. This exercises enabled us to find job placements for suitable individuals, some of them also within FITA itself. Giving an opportunity for persons with disability to experience employment and, conversely, for employers to understand what dealing with people who have different impairments entail is something FITA has always actively encouraged. FITA still does this through collaboration with JobsPlus, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and MITA whenever the opportunity arises.
In 2008 FITA joined an international research consortium called TACMON. The overall objective was researching different technologies linked to refreshable Braille and tactile displays. This was an interesting project. FITA contributed to the project through the design and user testing process. During the same year, MITA sponsored the creation of an educational video which compiled the life experiences of persons with different impairments together with their use of ICT and enabling technology. This resulted in one of the first Maltes awareness videos that incorporated sign language interpretation and captions at the outset. All these media sources are available on the FITA Facebook page and FITA [YouTube] Channel.
Still not fully benefitting from the benefits of global markets, in Malta it is almost impossible for disabled people to ‘try before they buy’ when ordering specialised ICT equipment. That is why, in 2009, FITA identified sponsorship from local enterprises in order to create a pool of ICT equipment which people could try out and also borrow, prior to any decision on their part to purchase the equipment. Also in 2009, a number of persons with disability spurred by FITA, helped compile and publish a Career Path document, which helped trace and match the different ICT qualifications, training institutions and ICT jobs applicable to the local industry. This information has now been superseded by the EU-funded European e-Competence Framework 3.0. However, FITA continues to support disabled individuals who seek access to these educational resources, via ICT.
In 2012 FITA published a set of awareness raising videos which were funded by the Vodafone Malta Foundation and posted to the Vodafone YouTube Channel. These outline how technology and ICT in particular, benefit persons with different impairments. IT shows people from different strands of life leading a more independent life, thanks to the combined and effective use of different technology products.
Over time, and in order to consolidate its range of ICT related services, FITA dedicated more human resources to the organisation of regular information sessions. These information sessions span a range of ICT topics and are adapted to meet the requirements of different audiences and interest groups. Past attendees include disability NGOs, the NGO Nanniet Malta (Grandparents Malta), occupational therapists and education professionals. Sessions are also organised for specific business organisations who seek greater ICT accessibility awareness for their employees. These can be individual businesses or organisations such as the [Malta Employers' Association] (MEA. Another item FITA addressed in 2013 was the organisation of ICT accessibility training courses and the revision of Braille Embossing and related services, whereby these were upgraded along the International Standards which were published the same year.
International cooperation with further ICT Accessibility projects in 2014, culminated in more specialised Braille training, sponsored by the Malta Bankers’s Association the following year. In late 2015 they also helped organise a seminar which brought together Disability NGOs as service users, health professionals, educational institutions, and local industry. The seminar focused on the various aspects of accessibility, from the design stage to the delivery of products and services.
In 2016 FITA invested principally in raising awareness about its range of services. As a result, the influx of work for many of their consultancy and research-based services, has increased exponentially. Another activity for 2016 was the organisation of a Digital Photography course for persons with an intellectual impairment. This course evolved through feedback received from our clients and as such reflects their interpretation of digital photography as a means of individual expression.