EnglishECDL FOUNDATION Press Release
June 2012
ECDL Tester finalist for the e-inclusion awards
Inspirational Visually-Impaired Czech National Nominated for European Commission Awards for Empowering Others Through ECDL Certification
The remarkable story of visually impaired Czech ECDL Tester, Marek Sikora, has been recognised at EU level, as he has been selected as a finalist for the ‘I Am Part of IT Award’ in the European ‘e-Inclusion Awards’.
This award recognises individuals who have significantly benefitted from becoming e-included. Not only has Marek improved greatly his own quality of life through ECDL certification, but he is continuing to improve the lives of other blind and visually impaired people in the Czech Republic.
Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Anna-Maria Darmanin, will present the award at the prestigious ‘e-Inclusion Awards’ ceremony, which will take place later this week in Brussels during the Digital Agenda Assembly (DAA). The DAA is a high-profile, two-day event that has been organised by the European Commission. ECDL Foundation is extremely proud to have an ECDL Tester in the Czech Republic selected as one of only three finalists from entries from all over Europe.
Having received a globally-recognised certificate in digital proficiency through ECDL, Marek, who has been severely visually impaired since the age of 14, achieved an even greater goal in becoming the Czech Republic’s first ever visually impaired ECDL Accredited Tester.
In collaboration with ECDL Foundation’s National Operator in the Czech Republic, the Czech Society for Cybernetics and Informatics (CSKI), Marek also launched the website www.Eye-T.cz, through which ECDL tests are accessible to visually impaired people throughout the country.
Marek’s ambition and success in improving his own prospects, and the lives of others, in today’s Information Society is an inspiring example of how a digital skills certification can transform a person’s life, irrespective of their disability, and can enable them to become e-included.
ECDL Foundation CEO, Damien O’Sullivan, commented, “Possessing the right digital skills is extremely important for Europe’s economic competitiveness, especially in relation to jobs and growth. Marek is an inspiration for showing how digital skills can empower people to become e-included in society.”
ECDL Foundation is committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from pursuing our certification programmes, and actively works to maintain the accessibility of our programmes for all, including people with disabilities.