Measure 2.2 eGovernment for Providing Services for the Citizen, with Action Category 7 which pertains to the facilitation of universal access by vulnerable groups, mainly people with special needs, but also residents of rural regions, through the development of the appropriate software and innovative tools for the user, that promote access to digital services of the eGovernment, serves the aims of 1.1, 2, 3 and 4.
The implementation of Action Category 7 is of special significance in achieving aim 2 of NAPIn, in as far as preventing the isolation of people with special needs, and other vulnerable groups. The above actions specialize on the basis of the Work Group Study for Universal Access.
Specifically, by the end of 2.2, the following projects targeting directly and expressly people with special needs were included in Measure 2.2:
- Total budget project ~3,000,000€ relating to the access of eGovernment services by people with special needs, using appropriate software and innovative tools with built-in instructions, rules and effective access practices, with a time frame for completion up to 2006.
Additionally, Measure 2.2, Action Category 2.2.5 Action for Administration Services to Citizens, which provides for employment support structures, contributes to aims 1.1 and 4 through the enhancement of the structures that promote employment (Centres for Employment Promotion) which are implemented by the Greek Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED).
Specifically, by the end of 2004, the following projects pertaining to employment and mobilization of bodies and agents had been included in Measure 2.2:
- A Greek Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) project with a total budget of 2,172,299€, relating to the supply of IT equipment for 24 centres of employment promotion (completed).
- A project undertaken by Greek Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) with a total budget of 1,132,940€, for the equipping of a further 11 centres of employment promotion, with a time frame for completion up to 2006.
Additionally, a project of a 1,108,380€ budget for the development of a software system, recording all new subsidies for ordinary unemployment and the servicing of businesses and employees, has been included in Measure 2.2, this way contributing to the aim 1.2 of NAPIn referring to subsidizing policies. The above project is in progress.
Finally, Measure 2.2 offers an indirect benefit to the aims of NAPIn, with its networking/equipping/modernization projects in over 86 government bodies for more effective citizen services including the ones for people with special needs, as well as the 941 Centers for Citizen Services (up to 31/12/2004).
Measure 2.4 offers indirect benefits to the NAPIn aims, especially aim 2, for the prevention of geographic isolation and the reorganization of rural regions, with projects that relate to the organization and availability of geographical information for the agricultural sector, and the development of digital geographical data for citizen services through the internet.
The above projects are in the stage of development and tendering respectively.
Furthermore, Measure 2.4 provided for the inclusion of the METEHO project in IS, pertaining to IS access by small businesses, which contributes to the aim 1 of NAPIn for Entrepreneurship. The said project, of a total budget of 27,500,820€, with a time frame up to 2006, provides a quota for women’s entrepreneurship.
Finally, the Measure 2.4 projects of equipping and networking IT workrooms in schools contribute in the aims of NAPIn by using these workrooms, after school hours, for the educational activities of other groups like people of advanced age.
Measure 2.5 offers an indirect benefit to NAPIn aims, and relates to further training of over 1000 members of the public service on ICT and new work practices, within relevant training programs.
Measure 2.6 Information and Communication Technologies in Health and Welfare also serves aims 1.1, 1.2 and 4 directly, through Action Categories 2.6.3, Development of Information Systems for Senior Citizens and People with Special Needs, in the areas of Health and Welfare.
Specifically, by the end of 2004, the following projects targeting directly people with special needs had been included in Measure 2.6, with a time frame for completion up to 2006:
- Support of people with visual impairment through ICT applications in Rehabilitation Centers for the Blind, with a total budget of 427,986€
- The development of an Information System for the Classification and Assessment of Disabilities for the supply of a card that states disability and functioning level, with a total budget of 289,100€
- A system for keeping records and providing computer support to the national coordinating center of prompt community aid, with a budget of 186,794€.
In addition, we can consider that Measure 2.6 serves indirectly the above aims of NAPIn given it provides for the facilitation of access to Health services through IS for all citizens and, consequently, for the vulnerable groups, with projects for the development of information systems, and ICT services in many Regional Health Units of the country.
Finally, in the Ministry of Health planning, the following projects are included:
- The creation of laboratories and applications in bodies dealing with people with special needs, with a budget of 1.5M€
- Computerization of mental health and relevant bodies, with a budget of 1.0M€
- Improvement of procedures for selected citizen groups (financially weak and people with special needs), with a budget of 0.9 M€.
Measure 2.7 includes projects for the training of Regional Health Units’ members in the corresponding regions, while a project for the study of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health –ICF has been included especially for people with special needs, for the supply of the supply of a card that states disability and functioning level, with a 316,146€ budget and a time frame for completion up to 2006.
Measure 2.8 contains projects for the development of information systems in the sector of public transport with the aim to inform and better serve all citizens (including people with special needs), without a specific specialization.