The Regional Director for Science and Technology stated on São Miguel that the fight against digital exclusion and inequalities in the access to digital communication "is not limited to the provision of computers, Internet access or even the use of various resources technological resources. Above all, it concerns the provision of adequate and appropriate means and tools for the acquisition of digital skills, especially with regard to citizens with special needs."
 
Bruno Pacheco spoke during a visit to Madre Teresa d'Anunciada Elementary School and Kindergarten in Ribeira Seca, municipality of Ribeira Grande, one of the beneficiaries of the measure to support the acquisition of computer equipment and software in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for citizens with disabilities.
 
Under this measure, more than a hundred Azorean citizens and 30 entities have already been supported during this legislative period, an investment over 200 thousand Euros.
 
"Technologies ensure a better quality of learning for citizens with disabilities," said the Regional Director. According to him, "digital inclusion is one of the most efficient ways to facilitate and simplify citizens' daily lives, both personally and professionally, while providing new learning opportunities."
 
Bruno Pacheco stressed that the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate of Science and Technology, has been implementing "several measures that promote digital inclusion, with the aim of guaranteeing true democratization of access to ICTs, in order to allow the insertion of all in the information society ".
 
In the context of the Regional Government's commitment to promoting digital inclusion, the Regional Director stressed that "other funding lines are open, such as the measure to support the creation of Digital Skills Workshops that was launched earlier this week. It focuses on the digital training of population groups at risk with a view to stimulating and strengthening digital skills in adult education and lifelong learning, encompassing not only basic skills but also more advanced skills."
 
Last year, the Regional Government created the PRO-TIC initiative that comprises four measures, with special emphasis on the "Support for the acquisition of computer equipment and software in the area of ICT for citizens with disabilities. This measure is specifically aimed at the acquisition of "adapted peripherals and/or specific software to be used by students and citizens with disabilities.