The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that "information and communication technologies can improve the quality of life of students with disabilities in order to level out differences and facilitate their inclusion in school and society."

Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke during a visit to Antero de Quental Secondary School, where he was accompanied by the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture. The government official announced the opening of a tender to support regional public schools in the acquisition of equipment and software in the area of information and communication technologies for people with disabilities.

"We must ensure that young people with special needs can have the best possible conditions to achieve school success," said the Regional Secretary. In this context, he underlined the "fundamental role" played by adapted computer equipment in school activities designed for students with disabilities. In many cases, they are also "an indispensable tool for their independence."

Fausto Brito e Abreu also mentioned that this measure, included in the Azores Digital and technological Agenda "contributes to improving the quality of services provided to youngsters with disabilities at school."

In turn, the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture highlighted the importance of inclusive school, which he considered as "a major step" that was achieved due to the "hard work of many people across many generations."

Therefore, Avelino Meneses considered that the tender announced today "is extremely important insofar as it will provide schools with mechanisms designed to level out differences and accentuate equality."

Held under the PRO-SCIENTIA programme, this tender provides an overall investment of 50 thousand Euros. It is addressed at regional public schools wishing to acquire computer equipment, including peripherals and software tailored to the needs of students with physical, mental, visual and hearing disabilities or with multiple disabilities.

Schools may apply to the support granted by the Regional Government from February 9 to March 6 at the portal http://idia.azores.gov.pt.