Survey Results: Impact of the Convention on States Parties' Policies Addressing ICT Accessibility

A web-based survey was deployed to collect feedback from all G3ict constituents involved as faculty or committee members prior to our May 2010 G3ict Steering Committee meeting.
 
The survey consisted of 10 questions; 28 survey participants' responses were tallied.  

 
The respondends' input will help us determine directions for our programs and establish a consensus on how to best promote and facilitate the implementation of the ICT accessibility agenda of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Below is an excerpt of the survey's results concerning the Convention's impact on States Parties' policies addressing ICT accessibility.

How much of an impact on countries do you believe the Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities is having on States Parties policies and programs around the world?

Responded “Significant impact” or “Decisive, irreversible impact”:
1.    Participation of disabled persons organizations in policy making = 43% 
2.    Legislative and regulatory activity = 39%
3.    Awareness of disability rights among policy makers = 39%
4.    Government led policies and programs = 35%
5.    ICT accessibility policies and programs = 20%
6.    Private sector awareness and involvement = 12%

Gap remains in the field of ICTs with little awareness among private sector 

Which countries do you see as most engaged in implementing the dispositions of the Convention?

Large dispersion of results –
Most mentioned:
1.    U.S.A. = 7
2.    Australia = 6
3.    Canada = 4
4.    China and U.K. = 3

Are the ICT accessibility dispositions of the Convention generating much interest or activity among States Parties?

None: 0%
Not much: 50%
A good level: 50%
A strong level: 0%

Which countries do you believe have the most advanced policies in place regarding ICT accessibility and in which specific areas?

Rating: 
1st = 3 points 
2nd = 2 points
3rd = 1 point

Results:
-    U.S.A.: 32 points (software, web, TVs)
-    Australia, Canada: 11 points (Overall)
-    U.K.: 9 points (TV Broadcasting)
-    Korea and Italy: 6 points (Italy, telecom)
-    Japan: 4 points (consumer electronics)

Based on your experience, which types of ICTs are most critical from an accessibility standpoint for persons with disabilities and should be top priorities for governments?

« Top priority » rankings:

-    Mobile phones = 92%
-    Web sites = 81%
-    Assistive technologies = 80%
-    Personal computers = 72%
-    Software = 71%
-    Access to published works = 46%
-    Television = 30%
-    Electronic kiosks = 30%
-    Radios = 12%
-    Land line phones = 4%

Which ICT applications areas are most critical from a policy standpoint?

-    Education = 96%
-    E-Government = 85%
-    Work place = 73%
-    Health services  = 73%
-    Emergency response  = 62%
-    Community & local govt. = 46%
-    E-Commerce = 38%
-    Mass media = 15%
-    Cultural activities = 15%
-    Other mentioned: Travel and tourism