PLDT and Smart signify support for entrepreneurs with disabilities through the Group's shared value programs.
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have teamed up with ATRIEV to enable Filipino entrepreneurs with disabilities through technology.
ATRIEV or Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired is a non-profit organization which specializes in ICT-based programs and services that enable persons with disabilities, those affected by chronic illness, as well as stakeholders working for and with persons with disabilities.
“We at PLDT and Smart firmly believe in reducing inequalities so that every Filipino can make the most of the digital world. Our partnership with ATRIEV allows us to do this, by empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities through access to technology and innovation,” said Joy Lapuz, Luzon Relations Head for Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.
Cecille Rose Primero, a person with cerebral palsy and owner of Angeline’s Nham Nham Sauce, is a graduate of ATRIEV’s DBBT 2022 run.
Though ATRIEV’s assistive Digital Business Basic Training Program or DBBT, graduates are provided with opportunities to learn about doing business online – from conceptualization, planning, costing, fund sourcing, to content creation, marketing, and branding, and more importantly, equipping them with the right digital tools to help them succeed.
“I have a created a multi-page responsive website for Angeline’s Nham Nham sauce. I learned how to do this by taking a Basic Web Design course at ATRIEV. I also applied the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure that the website is accessible to people with disabilities,” said 44-year-old Cecille Rose Primero, a person with cerebral palsy and owner of Angeline’s Nham Nham Sauce, and a graduate of ATRIEV’s DBBT 2022 run.
Joining the Entrepreneurs with Disability Forum organized by ATRIEV, with the support of Voice Philippines and the local government of Cavite Province, PLDT and Smart also introduced their IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy through Technology) initiative, a set of digital inclusion programs which aims to ensure that all sectors are provided with the access and skills to participate in the digital economy.
ShopAble, an e-commerce website accessible designed for persons with disabilities, was launched during the forum.
“The empowerment we gain from organizations like ATRIEV, PLDT, and Smart fuels my determination to continue and grow my business. I believe that we can make a real difference by empowering individuals with disabilities and providing them with the skills they need to succeed. My own journey is a testament to this fact. I have faced many challenges, but with the right opportunities and support, I have been able to overcome them and contribute to society,” Cecille added.
PLDT and Smart’s IDEATe programs contribute to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal #10: Reduced Inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.
