International Computer Driving License (I.C.D.L.) curricula will be available in an accessible format to visually impaired persons in United Arab Emirates by the end of year 2006.

The world's first Arabic Braille I.C.D.L. courseware has been developed by I.T. Education Project (I.T.E.P.) and ‘Tamkeen’- the training centre for visually impaired people.

The courseware will enable the visually impaired people to study for obtaining I.C.D.L., a globally recognised credential that certifies an individual as competent in using computers. Accepted as the standard for computer literacy in over 140 countries, the I.C.D.L. is designed for a person to 'drive' a computer with the same ease as they might drive a car.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director of I.T.E.P., said: 'In today's information-rich age, widespread I.T. literacy is the key to the progress of any country. We are delighted to launch this world leading initiative, which will assist visually impaired people in gaining basic I.T. skills that will give them greater access to I.T. education.”

There are more than 13 million I.C.D.L. certified people in the world today.