The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with IT Academy on June 25 in Tashkent held an award ceremony for 25 graduates of the “IT4Everyone” regional project tailored for hearing-impaired individuals from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Between March 18 and April 29, 115 participants from these countries received online sign language-adapted training in social media marketing, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan reported.
USAID and partners also officially launched the second component of the project organized for these top 25 graduates – tours to IT companies and participation in a summer camp, taking place from June 24 to June 28 in Tashkent and the Tashkent region.
During his welcoming speech, Edward Michalski, USAID Acting Mission Director in Uzbekistan said, “This initiative represents more than just training and education, it is a path to self-reliance and meaningful integration into the modern business environment. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
The “IT4Everyone” project, supported by USAID’s Future Growth Initiative, provides online courses with sign language to improve the employability of hearing-impaired individuals in Central Asia. It aims to promote digital inclusion and economic growth in the region. The trainings are now accessible through the it4everyone.uz platform.