One day Workshop on digital literacy education and awareness for Pwds was held  in CRPD committee room in collaboration with National Rural Support.

The Council on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR), in collaboration with the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), hosted a pivotal workshop on September 2, 2024. The event, held at the CRPD office in Islamabad, focused on the orientation of the digital literacy initiatives "Internet Dost" and "Internet Zabardast," supported by Google.org. The workshop aimed to raise awareness and discuss the critical importance of digital literacy for persons with disabilities, highlighting the need to extend current digital literacy projects to include this often-overlooked group.
The workshop gathered 25 participants from various sectors, including the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Welfare Training Institute, civil society organizations, and disability advocacy groups such as CHRS, Help Age, Urban OPA, Tumair Buzurg Dost, and NCWCH. Discussions emphasized the transformative role of digital literacy in improving access to information, communication, and opportunities for persons with disabilities. Digital literacy was recognized as a powerful tool that can significantly enhance the ability of persons with disabilities to engage fully in the digital world, access online resources, participate in e-learning, and explore employment opportunities.
Rana Tariq Ali, Deputy Director of CRPD, opened the session with a strong commitment to digital inclusion, underscoring that access to digital tools and resources is a fundamental human right. The workshop included an overview of CRPD’s role, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020, and the international legal framework on disability rights.
Informative sessions provided practical guidance on obtaining disability certificates and special CNICs, and highlighted how digital tools can be used for communication, education, and employment. Noteworthy sessions, led by Sohail Manzoor, Imran Alvi, Ms. Nazma Siraj, Ms. Zara Afridi, and Muhammad A Mir Miraj, offered hands-on insights into effective digital tool usage.
The collaboration between CRPD, MOHR, and NRSP’s "Internet Dost" and "Internet Zabardast" projects, supported by Google.org, was instrumental in the workshop's success. Sohail Manzoor, Programme Manager at NRSP, expressed his heartfelt appreciation, stating, “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Human Rights and the Council on Rights of Persons with Disabilities for their exceptional commitment to advancing digital literacy for persons with disabilities. The active participation of individuals with disabilities, especially women, and civil society organizations has been truly inspiring. The 'Internet Dost' and 'Internet Zabardast' projects have already made a significant impact, and this workshop underscores the continued need for digital inclusion. MOHR and CRPD’s dedication is vital in bridging the digital divide and empowering all individuals with the opportunities that digital technology offers.”
In the closing remarks, Mr. Muhammad Arshad, Director General, and Mr. Arif Shamim, Director (SW), celebrated the workshop’s achievements and emphasized the need to integrate digital literacy for persons with disabilities into future projects. They acknowledged the crucial support provided by NRSP and Google.org and expressed their intent to seek ongoing technical and logistical support from these partners. The distribution of certificates by Muzafar Mehmood Qureshi, Former Federal Secretary of MOHR, marked a significant step towards greater digital inclusivity. Moving forward, CRPD and MOHR remain committed to advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in digital literacy programs and look forward to continuing their collaboration with NRSP and Google.org