Inclusion for People with Disabilities in Colombia

MAKAIA and EPM Foundation, under their "ICT with no barriers" program, will train people with disabilities and social trainers in municipalities in rural Antioquia. Antioquia is the State where the city of Medellín is located. The local rural communities face great disparities in terms of the access to information, basic services and development. These challenges are unfortunately higher for people with disabilities.

This initiative is usually implemented in the Medellín Metropolitan Region, but with your support MAKAIA will be able to take this training to rural communities in the State of Antioquia. The training has a strong component in laws, ICT and the fair treatment of people with disability. 

The expert trainer, Yudy Alvarez, has limited vision so knows first-hand what it means to have a disability and how important is that all people have access to knowledge and information.

Three trainings will take place during October and November 2015. The first one will be done in Yarumal, a municipality that has been greatly affected by the Colombian conflict and that is not reached by many social services.

We have partnered with the local Disability Network and with a local NGO that supports youth with disability. We will train 20 youth and also trainers, so social workers, teachers and librarians will also be prepared to train people with disabilities in schools, libraries and other community centers.

The topics in which the training will be conducted are: internet security, digital literacy, web accessibility, mobile devices and apps for people with disability,

Thank you again for your continued support and we look forward to telling you about the results of the trainings.

Thank you

MAKAIA Team

Links:

• Yudys Story

A few months ago, here at MAKAIA, we started a strategic planning process looking forward to adapting to the fast growth we have had during the last year. That situation has meant big changes inside and outside the organization but also is bringing great opportunities for us. We have a very excited time coming ahead!

So, to become better in what we do, we have been looking for new partnerships that allow us to keep working for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Colombia, in a bigger scale. That’s how we ended being part of an awesome project with Corporación Siempre Presente. What is it about? About empower youth Colombians with disabilities through the use of ICT.

Siempre Presente is an organization aimed to support young people part of the cheering crowd of one of the most important local soccer teams in the country: Atlético Nacional. Most of them are from at risk families and the poorest neighborhoods in Medellín.

Cheering crowds have a violent history that we are ready to change with your unconditional help. We want to work, hand by hand, with Siempre Presente and give those kids the tools and resources they need to become leaders of their community and build a better future.

Wait for our microprojects, they are coming soon! And remember, the next 15^th of July is BONUS DAY so please feel free to share our work among your friends and family as you visit our Facebook, Twitter and website.

THANK YOU AGAIN for your support!