IGF2008- WS12- Internet accessibility for people with disabilities
Channel: Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Date: 2013-04-18

Access to information and communication is a key aspect for participation in society. If people with disabilities are to exercise their rights actively, participate and make choices about their lives, it is essential that they can access information through adequate communication systems. For many people with disabilities, however, information and communication continue to be largely inaccessible. Ongoing developments in information and communications are changing the way in which citizens interact with each other, conduct business, access services and information and communicate generally. Technological advancements include the Internet, eCommunication facilities, videophones, etc. It is important that all citizens benefit from such technological advancements and that no group be excluded, in particular people with disabilities. Public bodies have a particular duty to ensure that their information is accessible in a range of formats responding to the diverse needs of people with disabilities. Such bodies should also be models of best practice for the private sector, and all those providing services to people with disabilities, who should be encouraged to adopt such practices also. Communication systems must also be accessible to people with disabilities.

There are already good examples of the types of systems that can be used, such as telephone relay systems or text and video communication systems. New technologies and Internet, in particular, can in certain cases compensate for disability in daily living, generate independence and social integration. Internet should be seen both as a service in its own right and as a means to reach other services. For many people with disabilities, accessibility of Internet is a pre-requisite, a stepping stone for getting access to education, employment, health care, tourism and many other services. That also means that people with disabilities are primary stakeholders, when it comes to Internet development. People with disabilities should be consulted regarding the development of standards and the design of new communication and information systems. If we are to have a truly inclusive society, people with disabilities must be able to use information and communication systems along with everyone else.

On this basis, the workshop discussions will be centred around the following three main topics:

1. Acknowledging the public service value of the Internet through responsible public policy-making and private commitment to improving the accessibility of the Internet for people with disabilities.

2. International and national legal instruments and strategies promoting the accessibility of the Internet for people with disabilities and -- vice versa -- the role of the Internet in contributing to the implementation of these instruments (e.g. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015, national e-accessibility strategies, etc.).

3. Provision of accessibility solutions for the existing systems, products and services, and the application of Universal Design principles for all newly created ones.

http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/workshops_08/showmelist.php?mem=115