Computers help the handicapped find both jobs and friends

• First applicants start attending PC courses for the physically handicapped
• T-Mobile Fund finances two computers needed for the training
• Individual courses with optional training in people's homes to last till June 2007

Žatec/Praha, 31 October 2006 - Individual PC courses for the physically handicapped, organized by the 'Handicap' civic association in the Information Centre in Žatec, help trainees find better jobs as well as improve their private lives. "The seriously handicapped can now be trained directly in their homes as well, while the Handicap civic association can lend these persons their PCs for the duration of the training if needed," says Martina Kemrová, T-Mobile's Head of Corporate Communication.

The T-Mobile Fund supported the 'Personal Computer - Information Without Barriers' project through the Community Foundation of the Labe Euroregion with a sum of CZK 45,000. With this money two fully equipped PCs were purchased. The project is a follow-up of the -Internet Against Barriers' course held last year, in which 141 people participated from September to December. Out of this number, five participants were trained directly in their homes.

The ten-hour individual plan of the training is structured on the basis of each applicant's level of PC usage. At the end of the course, participants prove the acquired knowledge and skills in a written test. If they succeed, they receive a certificate. While the individually tailored PC courses primarily focus on the practical usage of personal computers, they also broaden people's knowledge of computer administration, common office applications, and the internet.

The Žatec region registers very high unemployment; and physically handicapped people are among those who face the most severe difficulties when trying to find a job. "We are glad that we can help physically handicapped people, as well as seniors and children from a socially disadvantaged environment, to actively participate in day-to-day life. That is why we support cultural and sports events, as well as education programs such as the 'Personal Computer - Information Without Barriers' project. We also firmly believe that a great number of the people of Žatec will be able to use this opportunity to broaden their computer literacy skills, just as was the case last year," says Martina Kemrová of T-Mobile.

T-Mobile Fund
In addition to the T-Mobile Fund grants awarded to various projects in the regions where T-Mobile operates, i.e. the Hradec Králové and Louny regions and the city district of Prague 11, this year the grant programme also included the first annual T-Mobile Employee Fund. T-Mobile's employees could recommend any non-profit organization whose activities they either appreciate or directly take part in. Based on their recommendations, the relevant organizations could submit grant applications for their projects.

For complete information on the winning applicants and their projects, please visit www.lepsisvet.cz, www.nadacevia.cz or www.komunitninadace.cz.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.