More than 50 million people in Latin America suffer from some form of disability. Of this population, 80% are unemployed and a corresponding 80% to 90% live in poverty. Disability, either physical or mental, is consequently the single most important indicator in determining the socio-economic status of an individual in Latin America. The Partnership in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas (POETA) program was created to address the needs and provide an opportunity to people with disabilities in the Americas.POETA is a hemisphere wide joint initiative between the Organization of American States (OAS), and its affiliate, the Trust for the Americas, to fight poverty, increase social inclusion and improve competitiveness by providing technology and job-readiness training to persons with disabilities and other marginalized persons. Through a combination of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Adaptive Technologies, POETA provides persons with disabilities with the necessary skills and the opportunity to apply for and hold a job, earn a living and become more independent. 

In 2004, POETA was developed as a pilot project in Guatemala, through the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program. In its first year, the two Guatemala centers trained more than 500 people, 20 percent of whom obtained a job. More than 25 local businesses got involved as partners in the program. As a result of the program’s success in Guatemala, Microsoft agreed to expand POETA, donating cash and software to create an additional12 centers in 7 additional countries in Latin America.  Today, with more than 200 public and private sector partners leveraging knowledge, goodwill, cash and infrastructure in 47 centers across 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, POETA serves as a best practice in public-private sector cooperation. In 2008, POETA will open an additional 14 centers, for a total of 61 POETA centers in eighteen countries in Latin America.