Discussion paper
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- Background information
- About the partners in the consultation
Background informationThe High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on Disability and Development (HLMDD) provides a historic opportunity to bring global attention to the exclusion of children, women and men with disabilities from mainstream development-related activities which in turn, worsens the poverty, illiteracy, inequality, unemployment, and social welfare realities. Precisely at a moment when the international community is discussing the issues that will be reflected in the new framework development, the HLMDD presents an excellent platform for all stakeholders to work together towards the achievement of the United Nations’ common goal: achieving sustainable development and collectively building inclusive knowledge societies in which persons with disabilities are both agents, beneficiaries and creators of development efforts. In support of this historic event, and to contribute to a successful outcome of the meeting, the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ICT), the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Microsoft, the Telecentre.org Foundation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched a global consultation in 2013 to capture the recommendations from all stakeholders on the critical contribution of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), such as websites, mobile, radio and TV, as well as the work of other information and memory institutions of information such as libraries, archives, Internet information providers and others providing access to information and knowledge which is so required to achieve the inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. The follow up interviews were carried out with prominent experts working in the subject area which were included in the report as case studies. The consultation, which was conducted from 20 May 2013 to 17 June 2013, gathered over 150 expert inputs from relevant organizations and key individuals (see Annex I), representing various categories of stakeholders, including governments, academic institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, and private sector, stemming from over 55 countries, regional and international organizations. More information about the consultation is available at the ITU website on accessibility (www.itu.int/accessibility).
About the partners in the consultation(listed in alphabetical order) The Broadband Commission for Digital Development is an initiative set up by ITU and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s call to step up efforts to meet the MDGs. Launched in May 2010, the Commission comprises government leaders from around the world and the highest-level representatives and leaders from relevant industries and international agencies and organizations concerned with development, providing a fresh approach to UN and business engagement. To date, the Commission has published two high level policy reports, as well as a number of best practices and case studies. More information about the Commission is available on the Broadband Commission website (www.broadbandcommission.org). The Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ICT) is an advocacy initiative of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, launched in December 2006 in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Its mission is to facilitate and support the implementation of the dispositions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the accessibility of Information Communication Technologies and assistive technologies. G3ict relies on an international network of ICT accessibility experts to develop and promote good practices, technical resources and benchmarks for ICT accessibility advocates around the world. It is incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Georgia, USA, and headquartered in Atlanta. The International Disability Alliance (IDA) is a network of global and regional organizations representing persons with disabilities. The aim of IDA is to promote the effective and full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities worldwide, as well as compliance with the CRPD within the UN system, through the active and coordinated involvement of representative organizations of persons with disabilities at the national, regional and international levels. IDA with its unique composition as a network of the foremost international disability rights organizations is the most authoritative representative voice of persons with disabilities and acknowledged as such by the United Nations system both in New York and Geneva. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for telecommunications/information and communication technologies (ICTs). Its membership, comprised of 193 governments, over 700 private companies and more than 50 academic institutions, has called for ITU to take the lead in promoting ICT accessibility, as well as to promote the use of ICTs as a key enabler to achieve the socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, with 12 field offices around the world. More information about ITU’s activities on this domain is available on the ITU accessibility website (www.itu.int/accessibility).
Since its foundation in 1945, UNESCO as the only United Nations specialized agency for education, science, culture, communication and information, works towards creating the conditions for peace and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared human values. Being an international organization, UNESCO’s unique competencies contribute as well to the realization of internationally agreed development goals. Through its large network of field offices and National Commission as well as a founder of numerous networks on various thematic areas around the world, UNESCO has a comparative advantage to act as a normative setter, catalyst of ideas, clearinghouse and capacity builder within the areas of its global mandate. The access to accessible information using ICTs for marginalized social groups, including persons with disabilities, is communicated in the UNESCO’s strategic documents. UNESCO believes that the recognition of human rights and providing access to information and knowledge, particular through innovative use of media and ICTs, are conducive to ensure that every citizen, including persons with disabilities, could contribute to social and economic development. Directory: action -> accessibility -> Documents action -> Who Wins in 2016? A thumbnail look at the top teams for this season action -> Best and Worst Miracast Receivers 2014 action -> Wireless World Research Forum London, 2002 action -> Substantial Amendment to Florida Department of Community Affairs Disaster Recovery Program Action Plan action -> Commission staff working document action -> Big Surprises, Wild Card Races, Top Teams, Looking Towards The Half-Time Report action -> Mediaadvisor y action -> Format The following business letter: friends and neighbors action -> Re-vita-lize Athens by Volunteering to Prepare Taxes Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (vita) program needs volunteers Documents -> The ict opportunity for a disability-inclusive development framework Download 0.56 Mb. Share with your friends:
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