Egypt’s NGO Helm launches one of a kind app for people with disabilities
HelmEgypt, a non-profit foundation, launched, on Monday the 28th of March, a new application named Entaleq, in an attempt to make premises across the country accessible for people with disabilities.
The new application has been launched in the presence of both Yasser El-Kady ,the Minister of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), and Ghada Waly, the Minister of Social Solidarity; thus, revealing how keen the Egyptian Government is on supporting people with disabilities whose numbers exceed 10 percent in the Egyptian society.
Helm has created, in cooperation with Vodafone Foundation Egypt,its own Android and IOS Mobile Application and Website, Entaleq, which enables people to locate disabled-friendly places based on the services they require with a comprehensive description of the facility.
The NGO’s evaluation is based on International Accessibility Standards. Through the pilot phase of the app, the organization has succeeded in assessing 300 places, making 200 places accessible in Cairo namely Al Futtaim Group State, Pepsico, El Araby Group, Professional Development Foundation, El Ezaby Pharmacies, LOreal Egypt, and International Labour Organization.
With its slogan Breaking Barriers, the new application helps people with different kinds of disabilities to locate accessible places according to their needs.
Furthermore, Entaleq is not only beneficial for people with disabilities but also for Pregnant women, parents with strollers, and the elderly people.
Helm, translating to “Dream”, is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the full inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in all aspects of life, and specifically, to facilitate their employment and ensure that private and public premises are accessible to all.
Moreover helm’s next step is to partner with more international organizations. It tries to change how the Egyptian society perceives disabilities to ensure their real inclusion within the society.
