Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

HEADLINES

PLDT, Smart expand opportunities for PWDs

“Through IDEATe, we help persons with disabilities develop skills that will help them accomplish essential tasks independently and offer alternative, tech-enabled ways of doing business,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. 

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart are opening livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities through their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology or IDEATe program. The two companies are also helping persons with visual impairment maximize their smartphones to assist them in daily activities. 

“Technology can be a great equalizer. It improves the lives of persons in unique circumstances. Through IDEATe, we help persons with disabilities develop skills that will help them accomplish essential tasks independently and offer alternative, tech-enabled ways of doing business,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. 

The PLDT Group tapped ATRIEV, the prime ICT specialist non-profit organization that empowers visually impaired persons through technology-enabled assistive programs, to offer a course on Digital Business Basics to around 30 participants with different disabilities in Dasmariñas City in Cavite where they learned how to start and boost their livelihood with the help of technology and social media. Topics included branding, connecting with target market, fund sourcing, pricing and costing. The module also featured social media marketing and financial literacy.  

Catherine Tomas, a 41-year-old online seller with orthopedic disability, acknowledges the importance of technology, “Social media platforms help expand our reach. New technologies can level up our business.” 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Ricardo Meneses, Jr., a 53-year-old father who was born with polio, looks forward to opening his own junk shop, “I am grateful that I learned how to write emails. It will be more convenient to schedule pick-ups with my customers.” 

All-in-one digital bank Maya also shared with participants the different solutions it offers to help small- and medium-scale businesses process payments. 

PLDT and Smart also held a separate IDEATe seminar on Android Accessibility Suite in Valenzuela City. Conducted by ATRIEV and attended by around 30 participants mostly with visual impairment, the free training focused on operating Android devices with the help of a TalkBack screen reader.  

These training programs are also supported by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office of Dasmarinas City in Cavite, the DepEd School Division Office of Valenzuela, and development partners, NORFIL Foundation/Liliane Fonds and Voice Philippines. 

The IDEATe activities are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to help the country achieve UNSDG No. 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. They also underscore the PLDT Group’s commitment to innovation and digital inclusion, and to assist in the government’s key digitalization efforts. The PLDT Group is a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the presidential Private Sector Advisory Council or PSAC.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

You May Also Like

HEADLINES

These global benchmarks confirm that Smart is following the best practices in protecting its people, its customers, and the planet.

HEADLINES

A total of 57 fiber cuts, mostly cases of cable theft, were recorded in Tatalon in 2024—the most among Quezon City barangays. This incidence...

HEADLINES

From November to January, lucky customers won daily data freebies and snagged weekly raffle prizes such as 5G smartphones like iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung...

HEADLINES

‘Wangiri’ originated in Japan in the early 2000’s. The term describes the modus. ‘Wan’ is a play on the word ‘one’ while ‘giri’ means...

HEADLINES

The company achieved several other major environmental milestones, including the use of 99 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 99 percent...

HEADLINES

The activity was held in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable...

HEADLINES

Smart and its value brand TNT do not send text messages with clickable links. If you receive one—even if it looks like it’s from...

HEADLINES

Smart Home WiFi provides convenience and reliability, powered by Smart’s superior 5G network, which allows users to stream videos seamlessly, upload and download large...

Advertisement