Disabled Individuals IT Capacity Building Livings

Summary of the Project

The Disabled Individuals IT Capacity Building Livings project aims to empower persons with disabilities by providing them with accessible digital literacy and IT training opportunities. The goal is to help them gain financial independence through employable skills, freelancing, and remote job opportunities.

Through this initiative, Sanash Welfare Foundation seeks to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusion by offering tailored capacity-building programs in information technology, data entry, e-commerce support, and virtual assistance.

2. Progress Since the Last Update

Although the fundraising and reporting timelines were affected due to multiple external factors, the Sanash Welfare Foundation team remains strongly committed to this project.

During the past period:

• We conducted needs assessments through local community partners to identify suitable participants from vulnerable and disabled groups.
• The curriculum framework for IT and digital skills training has been finalized with a focus on accessibility and practical job skills (basic computer use, MS Office, freelancing, and e-commerce support).
• Coordination has been established with local training institutes and digital learning centers to provide technical assistance and adaptive equipment for physically challenged participants.
• A pilot group of 15 individuals was identified to begin the initial training once funds are available for hardware and setup.

3. Challenges Faced

The delay in project execution was mainly due to the following:

1. Due Diligence Process: The verification and onboarding procedures with GlobalGiving required additional time to meet documentation and compliance requirements.
2. Flood Relief Activities: Sanash Welfare Foundation was simultaneously engaged in small-scale emergency response activities in flood-affected communities, which required immediate resource mobilization and diverted limited manpower.
3. Multiple Engagements: The organization was managing several ongoing humanitarian and capacity-building initiatives, which caused temporary rescheduling of project deliverables.

Despite these challenges, the Foundation has maintained its determination to proceed with the project as soon as the next tranche of funds becomes available.

4. Upcoming Plans

Looking ahead, the following actions are planned for the next reporting period:

• Launch of Pilot Training Batch: Commence digital literacy and IT skills training for the first cohort of 15 disabled participants in Lahore.
• Procurement of Equipment: Purchase laptops, adaptive tools (e.g., voice-to-text software, ergonomic accessories), and internet devices for the training center.
• Partnership Expansion: Strengthen collaborations with IT professionals, freelance platforms, and inclusive employment partners for post-training job placements.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement a simple tracking system to assess learning progress and income improvement among trained participants.

5. Reflections and Commitment

The Sanash Welfare Foundation team remains deeply committed to the empowerment of disabled individuals through technology and education. While the initial progress has been slower than anticipated, we are confident that with continued donor support and institutional collaboration, this initiative will significantly transform the livelihoods and confidence of many participants.

We sincerely appreciate GlobalGiving’s understanding and continued support during this period of recovery and adjustment.

6. Gratitude to Donors

We express heartfelt thanks to all donors who believe in inclusion and equal opportunity. Every contribution to this project moves us closer to creating a more dignified and independent life for individuals living with disabilities in Pakistan.

Introduction

We would like to thank all our supporters and potential donors who continue to show interest in the “Disabled Individuals IT Capacity Building for Livelihoods” initiative. The core vision of this project is to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan with marketable digital and IT skills, helping them achieve independent livelihoods and long-term social inclusion.

Project Status Update

As of this reporting period, the implementation of the project has faced delays due to limited incoming donations and funding constraints. While our team remains committed to launching the full training cycle as originally envisioned, the lack of sufficient resources has made it difficult to begin formal sessions and procure essential equipment such as laptops, internet access tools, and assistive technologies for enrolled participants.

Challenges Encountered

• Funding Gap: As of June 2025, we have not yet met the minimum financial threshold to launch our first cohort. This includes costs for trainers, accessible training tools, transportation support for disabled participants, and venue utilities.

• Participant Waiting List: We currently have over 40 interested and pre-registered individuals with disabilities, many of whom are eager to begin learning basic and intermediate digital skills but are waiting for program activation.

• Assistive Devices Pending Procurement: Our plan to provide screen readers, voice-to-text software, and ergonomic tools for differently-abled learners remains in limbo due to a shortage of dedicated funds.

What We’ve Achieved So Far

Despite delays, we have made foundational progress:

• Outreach Completed in 3 districts of northern Sindh and Islamabad, identifying potential participants.

• Designed a customized IT curriculum for beginners, including modules in digital literacy, online freelancing, basic MS Office, and accessible web design.

• Partnership discussions underway with local vocational centers and disability organizations to co-host the first training when funds are secured.

Next Steps

1. Secure Core Funding: We aim to raise a minimum of $4,500 USD to kick-start the first phase of training for 20–25 participants.

2. Implement First Training Batch: Conduct 8-week hybrid sessions (in-person and virtual) with trained instructors and accessibility support.

3. Job Matching & Freelance Guidance: Post-training, we plan to assist participants in identifying freelance, remote, or micro-enterprise opportunities.

4. Publish Impact Stories: We will begin collecting and sharing testimonials from enrolled participants once training begins to increase campaign visibility and donor engagement.

Call to Action

We kindly ask our supporters and the GlobalGiving community to help us turn this important initiative into a reality. Your donation, no matter the size, directly supports a person with a disability to gain digital independence and employment potential.

Help us move from delayed to delivered — one life-changing skill at a time.