Progress

Progress of the National Accessibility Portal (NAP) to date:

• Funding from the ESKOM Development Foundation enabled the team to commence work on Phase 1 of the NAP project.
• Successfully launched the NAP Initiative on 10 June 2004 by Minister E. Pahad.
• Developed the Prototype demonstrator through domain and technology research and development.
• Ongoing networking and interaction with stakeholders, partners & users.
• Prototype Demonstrator (phase 1) successfully completed. It resulted in verifying the concept and illustrating the potential impact of the project results.
• Development of a demonstrator Video.
• Successfully launched a live demonstration to Minister E.Pahad, Mr Nkosi, Eskom Development Foundation, MEC Mashamba (Limpopo Province), MEC Mabasa (Gauteng Province) and other dignitaries on the 23 November 2004.
• Positive media exposure (SABC & various radio stations).
• NAP mentioned by Deputy President on the International Disability Day on 3 December 2004.
• Appointment of persons with disabilities to the project as well as specialist PhD level researcher.
• Full business proposal submitted to The Presidency at Minister E. Pahad’s request.
• Development of a project website: www.napsa.org.za
• Attended Ministerial level meeting in Belgium with Minister E.Pahad.
• Bilateral between Belgium and South Africa formed
• Deaf-TV (DTV) Interviewed, filmed & aired a NAP steering meeting
• Technical researchers attended a visit to Belgium and Germany to visit the institutes that are currently doing high tech research in the ICT & Disabilities field
• Initiated new research into Enabling Environments, with initial focus on safety and security for the disabled and the aged.
• Met with the DBSA to review the NAP 5 year budget
• NAP team currently busy with basic Sign Language Course given by Tshwane Deaf Foundation
• Visit to Meerhof school
• NAP Version 1 Portal web deployment successfully launched on 17 July 2006
• NAP Strategic Breakaway Session held 18 and 19 September 2006
• First version of sustainability model developed
• Pretoria News NAP Wall Chart developed and published on 29 September 2006