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Doha

The Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Interior has obtained the Access Certified Award from Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada) for applying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA (WCAG 2.0 AA), which aim to ensure that websites have accessible features for people with disabilities.

Mada’s award was handed over by Ms. Maha Al Mansoori, CEO of Mada, and received by Information Systems Department’s Director Brigadier Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Harami.

“We would like to thank Information Systems Department of the Ministry of Interior for their commitment to applying global e-accessibility standards and guidelines on their website, which is one of the most visited portals in Qatar rich with information and services that all need, including the disabled,” said Ms. Al Mansoori.

She added, “We aim to increase the number of websites that are accessible by people with disabilities in Qatar — something that would make a massive change in terms of how far the disabled could easily access information through information and communications technology. Mada has a special team dedicated to regularly reviewing the global e-accessibility requirements and standards to ensure that government websites in Qatar are designed in a way that makes them flexible and accessible by disabled people and the elderly.”

“MOI places considerable attention to ensure that all people with disabilities in Qatar benefit from the several advantages and potential of information and communications technology. At MOI, we are glad to apply all guidelines and requirements related to online accessibility in order to make it easier for the disabled to reach all information and government services that MOI provides,” Al-Harami said,

Captain Abdul Aziz Al-Rweili, Assistant Director of Information Systems Department, emphasized continuing the efforts of improving the quality of online services tailored for the people with disability to ensure their accessibility to all types of digital services.

The Ministry is committed to developing how people in Qatar use the ICTs in order for everyone to become an effective and active component in the digital landscape in Qatar, which will contribute to achieving Qatar’s vision toward building a knowledge-based economy,’ said Mr. Rashid Mohsin Al-Shahwani, Director of Public Relations & Communications Dept. at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

From that standpoint, he noted, the Ministry has launched several policies to ensure digital accessibility for everyone, atop of them was the eAccessibility Policy’ released in 2011 to ensure that people with disabilities have access to technology and enjoy equal opportunities for digital accessibility.

The event was attended by Capt. Ali Ahmed Al Binali, Head of e-Services, Information Systems Department at MOI and some representatives from MoTC and Mada.

The award is “often given to institutions that have websites that meet international standards and which can be easily accessed and used by people with disabilities.

Mada is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to the world of information and communication technology. Mada was established in 2010 under the umbrella of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Mada is a proactive response to the belief that ICT can play a critical role in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.