The story of a visually impaired Czech ECDL Tester, Marek Sikora, has been recognised at EU level, as he has been selected as a finalist for the category ‘I Am Part of IT Award’ of the European ‘eInclusion Awards 2012’.

This award recognises individuals, who have significantly benefited from becoming eIncluded. 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 ‘e-Inclusion Awards’ ceremony, which will take place in Brussels on 21-22 June 2012, during the Digital Agenda Assembly (DAA), a two-day event that has been organised by the European Commission. ECDL Foundation is 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 example of how a digital skills certification can transform a person’s life, irrespective of their disability, and can enable them to become eIncluded. ECDL Foundation CEO, Damien O’Sullivan, commented in this regard, “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 eIncluded in society.” 

ECDL Foundation is committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from pursuing its certification programmes, and actively works to maintain the accessibility of our programmes for all, including people with disabilities. 

Further Information:

• Original news article - ECDL Foundation
• Related ePractice News Article - EU: Winners of the European eInclusion awards to be announced at the Digital Agenda Assembly
• eInclusion Awards 2012
• 2nd Digital Agenda Assembly
• eye-t.cz (in Czech)