The UN Convention on the The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UN Convention on the The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Axel LebloisExecutive Director G3ict

Kampala, Uganda6 May 2010

ICT ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

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G3ict MissionG3ict MissionG3ict MissionG3ict Mission

“To Facilitate the Implementation of the ICT Accessibility Agenda Of the Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities”

A Flagship Advocacy Initiative of the

United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development

With the participation of Disabled Persons Organizations, Industry, Governments, Academia, and International

Development Agencies and Standard Development Organizations

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Purpose of the Convention on the Purpose of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesRights of Persons with DisabilitiesPurpose of the Convention on the Purpose of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesRights of Persons with Disabilities

To promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity

(Article 1)

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Persons Living with DisabilitiesPersons Living with DisabilitiesPersons Living with DisabilitiesPersons Living with Disabilities

18% of the world population lives with disabilities, including those related to aging

10% or more than 650 million people live with life long -altering disabilities

Two thirds of which are in developing countries

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Categories Degree Confirmed Impairment

Visual

Visual impairment 1.40%

Blindness 0.64%

Partially Sighted 0.76%

Speech - Voice Language

Moderate 4.0 to 6.0%

Severe .80 to 1.0%

Hearing

Mild hard of hearing 6.0%Moderate-extremely hard of hearing 3.0%

Severe – profoundly deaf 1.0%

Motor

Dexterity 2.6%

Walking difficulty 0.90%

Inability to walk 0.20%21.30% to 23.50%

Types of Impairments: % of PopulationExample of South Africa

Source: Ministry of Health, South Africa

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Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006

Universal framework for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities

8th Universal Convention on Human Rights and 1st of this millennium

144 countries have signed it as of March 2010 – 88 with the Optional Protocol

85 have ratified it, representing over 75% of the World Population

The Convention on the Rights of The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Persons with Disabilities The Convention on the Rights of The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Persons with Disabilities

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Sub Sahara Africa Update: All East Sub Sahara Africa Update: All East African Nations Signed as of May 2010 African Nations Signed as of May 2010 – –

Sub Sahara Africa Update: All East Sub Sahara Africa Update: All East African Nations Signed as of May 2010 African Nations Signed as of May 2010 – – Benin

Signed: 8-2-2008

Signed Protocol: 8-2-2008

Burkina Faso

Signed: 23-5-2007

Signed Protocol: 23-5-2007

Ratified: 23-7-2009

Ratified Protocol: 23-7-2009

Burundi

Signed: 26-4-2007

Signed Protocol: 26-4-2007

Cameroon

Signed: 1-10-2008

Signed Protocol: 1-10-2008

Cape Verde

Signed: 30-3-2007

Central African Republic

Signed: 9-5-2007

Signed Protocol: 9-5-2007

Congo (Republic of the)

Signed: 30-3-2007

Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007

Cote d'Ivoire

Signed: 7-6-2007

Signed Protocol: 7-6-2007

Ethiopia

Signed: 30-3-2007

Gabon

Signed: 30-3-2007

Signed Protocol: 25-9-2007

Ratified: 1-10-2007

Ghana

Signed: 30-3-2007

Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007

Guinea

Signed: 16-5-2007

Signed Protocol: 31-8-2007

Ratified: 8-2-2008

Ratified Protocol: 8-2-2008

Kenya

Signed: 30-3-2007

Ratified: 19-5-2008

Lesotho

Ratified: 2-12-2008

Liberia

Signed: 30-3-2007

Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007

Madagascar

Signed: 25-9-2007

Signed Protocol: 25-9-2007

Malawi

Signed: 27-9-2007

Ratified: 27-8-2009

Mali

Signed: 15-5-2007

Signed Protocol: 15-5-2007

Ratified: 7-4-2008

Ratified Protocol: 7-4-2008

Mauritius

Signed: 25-9-2007

Signed Protocol: 25-9-2007

Ratified: 8-1-2010

Mozambique

Signed: 30-3-2007

NigerSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 2-8-2007Ratified: 24-6-2008Ratified Protocol: 24-6-2008

NigeriaSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007

RwandaRatified: 15-12-2008Ratified Protocol: 15-12-2008

SenegalSigned: 25-4-2007Signed Protocol: 25-4-2007

Sierra LeoneSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007

South AfricaSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007Ratified: 30-11-2007Ratified Protocol: 30-11-2007

SudanSigned: 30-3-2007Ratified: 24-4-2009Ratified Protocol: 24-4-2009

SwazilandSigned: 25-9-2007Signed Protocol: 25-9-2007

TogoSigned: 23-9-2008Signed Protocol: 23-9-2008

UgandaSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 30-3-2007Ratified: 25-9-2008Ratified Protocol: 25-9-2008

United Republic of TanzaniaSigned: 30-3-2007Signed Protocol: 29-9-2008Ratified: 10-11-2009Ratified Protocol: 10-11-2009

ZambiaSigned: 9-5-2008Signed Protocol: 29-9-2008Ratified: 1-2-2010

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Information and Communication Information and Communication Accessibility: New Rights for a New EraAccessibility: New Rights for a New EraInformation and Communication Information and Communication Accessibility: New Rights for a New EraAccessibility: New Rights for a New Era

Preamble (v):

“Recognizing the importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication, in enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

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Why the Convention Focuses on ICT Why the Convention Focuses on ICT AccessibilityAccessibilityWhy the Convention Focuses on ICT Why the Convention Focuses on ICT AccessibilityAccessibility

A Massive Increase in ICT usage: 1.1 billion personal computers 1.6 + billion Internet users (incl. shared /

mobile access) 1.4 billion telephone land lines 1.5 billion TV sets and 2.4 billion radios 4.5 billion cell phones, over 2 billion text

messaging users

Major impact of ICT accessibility on education, economic, government relations and cultural opportunities

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Accessibility Obligations: ICTs On Par with Accessibility Obligations: ICTs On Par with Physical Environment & TransportationPhysical Environment & TransportationAccessibility Obligations: ICTs On Par with Accessibility Obligations: ICTs On Par with Physical Environment & TransportationPhysical Environment & Transportation

« To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems... » (Article 9)

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Implications of Article 9 for Policy Implications of Article 9 for Policy Makers Makers Implications of Article 9 for Policy Implications of Article 9 for Policy Makers Makers

Based on the definition of Article 9, all sector specific accessibility dispositions cover ICT accessibility

The terms “Accessibility” and “Accessible” appear respectively 9 and 17 times in the text of the Convention

The term “Reasonable Accommodation” is included 7 times with equal impact on ICT applications

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Application Areas CRPD Article

Accessibility Mandates

Reasonable Accommodation

Promoting Assistive

Technologies

E-Government 9.2.a

Media and Internet 9.2.b

Education 24

Employment 27

Political Rights 21

Emergency services 9.1.b

Culture & Leisure 30.5.c

Private sector services 9.2.b

Personal Mobility 20

Rehabilitation 26

Main Dispositions with Implications for ICT Main Dispositions with Implications for ICT Accessibility and Assistive Technologies Accessibility and Assistive Technologies Main Dispositions with Implications for ICT Main Dispositions with Implications for ICT Accessibility and Assistive Technologies Accessibility and Assistive Technologies

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Private Sector Services AccessibilityPrivate Sector Services AccessibilityPrivate Sector Services AccessibilityPrivate Sector Services Accessibility

“The state must insure that private entities that offer facilities and services to the public take into account the accessibility of those services” (Art. 9)

(Also mentioned in Art. 21)

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Special Dispositions Promoting Special Dispositions Promoting Accessible & Assistive TechnologiesAccessible & Assistive Technologies Special Dispositions Promoting Special Dispositions Promoting Accessible & Assistive TechnologiesAccessible & Assistive Technologies

1. Mandate to promote R&D

2. ICT Products Development and Universal Design

3. Reasonable accommodation defined and mandated

4. Obligation for States to set accessibility standards

5. Intellectual property rights

6. Promoting New Media and the Internet for Persons with Disabilities

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Legislative and Regulatory ProcessLegislative and Regulatory ProcessLegislative and Regulatory ProcessLegislative and Regulatory Process

Signing of the Convention Ratification Parties States must then align their legislation

and regulations with the dispositions of the Convention unless already more favorable

Optional Protocol and Committee on Disability A long but irreversible process with worldwide

pressure from NGOs representing persons with disabilities

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Challenges for State Parties to the Challenges for State Parties to the Convention Convention Challenges for State Parties to the Challenges for State Parties to the Convention Convention

Limited references available to implement the dispositions of the Convention covering ICT Accessibility

Speed of change due to technological developments

Requirement to make accessible and assistive ICT products affordable :

1. Use policy to create favorable conditions for industry and operators

2. Support standards for mass production, economies of scale, competition, interoperability and lower prices

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G3ict – ITU Toolkit for Policy MakersG3ict – ITU Toolkit for Policy MakersG3ict – ITU Toolkit for Policy MakersG3ict – ITU Toolkit for Policy Makers

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Areas of ICT Accessibility Covered by the Areas of ICT Accessibility Covered by the e-Accessibility Toolkit for Policy Makerse-Accessibility Toolkit for Policy MakersAreas of ICT Accessibility Covered by the Areas of ICT Accessibility Covered by the e-Accessibility Toolkit for Policy Makerse-Accessibility Toolkit for Policy Makers

Government Areas

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Today’s Agenda by Area of ICT Today’s Agenda by Area of ICT AccessibilityAccessibilityToday’s Agenda by Area of ICT Today’s Agenda by Area of ICT AccessibilityAccessibility

Session 2: e-Accessibility basics, latest technology advances with a demo, analysis of the future of e-Inclusion

  Session 4: Technologies and Standards in promoting accessible ICT

services and products  Session 5: Web without Barriers: Designing accessible web sites, Web

Accessibility standards, Web Accessibility Checkers and a demo

Session 6: Real Time Captioning, Total Conversation relay and Application in Emergency Services

Session 7: Wireless Services, TV Broadcasting, e-government web sites, Access to published works, Internet cafés and community access and Assistive Technologies in schools

Session 8: Panel discussion on key areas of government involvement in ICT accessibility and tools available to policy makers for promoting accessibility: Special focus on the G3ict - ITU e-Accessibility Toolkit for Policy Makers

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PUBLICATIONS SPONSORS

CO-HOSTS

 

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You

www.e-accessibilitytoolkit.org

www.g3ict.com

Request for information:axel_leblois@g3ict.org

+1 (404) 641 5661

AnnexesAnnexes

Special Dispositions onSpecial Dispositions onICTs and ICTs and

Assistive TechnologiesAssistive Technologies

AnnexesAnnexes

Special Dispositions onSpecial Dispositions onICTs and ICTs and

Assistive TechnologiesAssistive Technologies

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1 - Promoting R&D for Assistive 1 - Promoting R&D for Assistive TechnologiesTechnologies1 - Promoting R&D for Assistive 1 - Promoting R&D for Assistive TechnologiesTechnologies

State Parties...undertake or promote research and development of, and to promote the availability and use of new technologies, including information and communications technologies, mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies, suitable for persons with disabilities, giving priority to technologies at an affordable cost (Article 4 – g)

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2 - ICT Products Development2 - ICT Products Development2 - ICT Products Development2 - ICT Products Development

Early Stage Accessibility Definitions: “Promote the design, development, production and

distribution of accessible information and communications technologies and systems at an early stage, so that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost” (Art. 9)

Universal Design: “To undertake or promote research and development

of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities, as defined in article 2 of the present Convention, which should require the minimum possible adaptation and the least cost to meet the specific needs of a person with disabilities, to promote their availability and use, and to promote universal design in the development of standards and guidelines” (Art. 4)

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3 - Reasonable Accommodation 3 - Reasonable Accommodation Defined and MandatedDefined and Mandated3 - Reasonable Accommodation 3 - Reasonable Accommodation Defined and MandatedDefined and Mandated

“Reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms (article 2)

General obligation in article 3, referenced in articles on education and employment

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4 - Standards4 - Standards4 - Standards4 - Standards

« States Parties shall take…appropriate measures to develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public »

Article 9-2 (a)

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5 - Intellectual Property Rights5 - Intellectual Property Rights5 - Intellectual Property Rights5 - Intellectual Property Rights

“States Parties shall take all appropriate steps, in accordance with international law, to ensure that laws protecting intellectual property rights do not constitute an unreasonable or discriminatory barrier to access by persons with disabilities to cultural materials.”

(Article 30 on Cultural life)

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6 - New Media and the Internet6 - New Media and the Internet6 - New Media and the Internet6 - New Media and the Internet

« States Parties shall also take appropriate measures to…promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and communications technologies and systems, including the Internet »

Article 9 (g)