The Digital Literacy Program (PAD) aims to provide face to face and virtual workshops that allow boys, girls, teenagers, women, people with disabilities and the elderly to learn how to use ICT (cell phones, computers, tablets, etc.) and telecommunications (Internet, mobile telephony) using accessibility features and assistive technologies available allowing them real and effective access to telecommunications and ICT, contributing to a better quality of life.

The PAD seeks to empower users regarding their rights and the benefits of the telecommunications and ICT use, the work of the Federal Telecommunications Institute in the matter and the digital tools developed in users favor.

Between 2022 and 2023 the PAD has benefited approximately 10,000 users of telecommunications services, which has contributed to encouraging the use of telecommunications in various sectors of the population and reducing the digital divide in Mexico.

The logistics and topics of these workshops are in charge of the IFT, gathering valuable participation from various organizations and associations dedicated to the digital literacy of these vulnerable groups.

https://www.ift.org.mx/usuarios-y-audiencias/programa-de-alfabetizacion-digital-2023

• Mexico

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The poor

This project can be implemented in an easy way since each country can replicate the project by getting the information from public sites or consultations, which should be easily accessible to users.

This project contributes to sustainability by fomenting a just and fair use of ICTs, which can help innovation in order to promote the digital skills that are needed in an interconnected world, as well as the knowledge for secure use of them, allowing to reduce the digital divide and connecting the unconnected people.

The implementation of the Digital Literacy Program contributes to promoting the values of the WSIS in Mexico since it seeks to foster in users the necessary skills that allow them to get involved in the digital environment so they can create, consult, use, and share information and knowledge. On the other hand, the PAD's main objective is to contribute to reducing the digital divide through courses, talks, and face-to-face or online workshops that provide users with digital skills, which allow them to take advantage of the benefits provided by digital services, the telecommunications and ICT services in daily life and in the educational and productive sectors. The online modality has been used to teach courses and workshops, has made it possible to reduce the obstacles of distance and benefit more people in different parts of Mexico, taking the advantages offered by distance training by using ICT. Likewise, the PAD contributes to the values of the WSIS because it seeks to promote the empowerment of users, with information that allows them to strengthen decision-making when contracting and using their telecommunications services and equipment, taking advantage of the benefits of incorporating ICT in their daily life; also know and enforce their rights in the digital environment. The inclusion of user groups, such as girls, boys, and teenagers, had the purpose of fostering their capacities as students and developers so, in the future, they can contribute to the development of ICT. In addition, the training that the PAD offers women is intended to promote their empowerment and full participation in the information society. In addition, it should be noted that, in the preparation of the PAD, efforts have been made to implement mechanisms for creating capacities related to technology and innovation, as well as to include other interested parties in the development of this digital skills program.