Session
Human Rights & Freedoms
Non-discrimination in the Digital Space
Rights to Access and Information
Organizer 1: Anna Bosch, Innovators Network Foundation
Organizer 2: Brian Scarpelli, 🔒
Speaker 1: Gunela Astbrink, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Judith Ann Okite, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Betsy Furler, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Ricardo Garcia Bahamonde, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Brian Scarpelli, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Anna Bosch, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Anna Bosch, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Round Table - 60 Min
i. How can universal design principles for accessibility be advanced across the internet to improve the experience of those with disabilities and what uses of ICTs does the Internet enable today for the empowerment of persons with disabilities?
ii. What can the IGF community do to action and cross-sector collaboration to realize the potential of the internet to improve the experience of those with disabilities?
iii. What priorities/changes are needed from an Internet governance policy standpoint to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive Internet for persons with disabilities? What types of laws and regulations could improve access to accessible technologies?
What will participants gain from attending this session? This session will explore innovative uses of ICTs for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, first seeking to enhance awareness of what is already possible, as well as what is coming down the pipeline. This initial discussion will inspire the IGF community to further action and cross-sector collaboration to realize the potential of ICTs in this context, invoking (1) an exploration of what is needed from an Internet governance policy standpoint to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive ICT-enabled future through and with the full participation of persons with disabilities; (2) a survey of the pandemic's influence on ICT development and usership; and (3) Internet governance-related calls to action to the IGF community to advance accessibility for persons with disabilities. The discussion will also cover recent proposals and laws around the world that may affect the availability of accessible technologies.
Description:
15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, representing more than one billion people globally and constituting the world’s largest minority. This percentage is growing through population growth, improvements in medical diagnostics, the rise in chronic conditions and aging of populations, and 80% of persons with disabilities living in developing countries. Internet-enabled ICTs play an increasing role in shaping trends in assistive technologies and specially developed technologies for persons with disabilities. Among other things, ICTs help break barriers to communication and access to information and are also enhancing mobility and fostering independent living, contributing to greater social, cultural, political, and economic integration and inclusion. Some examples of innovative use of ICTs by and for persons with disabilities include voice and facial recognition, virtual keyboards, and mobile apps that utilize artificial intelligence capabilities. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people with disabilities rely on ICTs to connect more than ever.
Yet, while some persons with disabilities already benefit from the advantages of ICT-enabled services, much more needs to be done to increase access, affordability, and skills to further develop technologies to their full potential for maximum positive impact for all persons with disabilities everywhere. This is especially important because persons with disabilities are overrepresented among those living in poverty, disability being both a cause and a consequence of poverty. 20% of the world’s poorest people have a disability and tend to be regarded in their communities as the most disadvantaged.
Improving the ability of those with disabilities to use and enjoy the internet is core to the theme of social inclusion. ICTs contribute to greater social, cultural, political and economic integration and inclusion and we must harness their power to continue breaking barriers to communication and access to information to enhance mobility and foster independent living for people with disabilities.
Expected outcomes for participants:
i. Understand how universal design principles for accessibility be advanced across the internet to improve the experience of those with disabilities.
ii. Capture and understand the uses of ICTs enabled by the Internet that are, today, empowering persons with disabilities, as well as what is coming down the pipeline.
iii. Learn about what the IGF community can do in terms of further action and cross-sector collaboration to realize the potential of the Internet to improve the experience of those with disabilities.
iv. Appreciate the diverse perspectives regarding priorities and/or changes that are needed from an Internet governance policy standpoint to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive Internet for persons with disabilities and take action to address needed changes.
Hybrid Format: The online moderator will encourage remote participation through various social networking platforms in addition to the platform provided by the IGF Secretariat. After the first round of interventions, the discussion section of the roundtable will open up with an invitation to online participants to weigh in on the strategies discussed and pose questions to the speakers. The organizing team will work to promote the activity on social media and will specially invite relevant stakeholders to join the session and share questions ahead of the debate. Online participants will be given priority to speak, and their participation will be encouraged by the online and in-person moderators. In-person moderator have previously moderated numerous panels at IGF and other events through the normal course of work and are comfortable with the tasks and skills necessary to engender a lively conversation and fulsome audience participation.