Two Decades of the CRPD: Lived Experiences Shaping the Future of Digital Access

In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), marking a historic turning point in global human rights. Twenty years later, the world stands at a moment of reflection and renewed commitment. Over these two decades, rapid technological advancement has reshaped societies, redefined communication, and expanded opportunities in ways once unimaginable. For persons with disabilities, these shifts have brought both meaningful progress and persistent challenges, revealing how essential it is to ensure that digital transformation remains inclusive, equitable, and grounded in human rights.

The CRPD emerged at a time when digital technologies were accelerating, yet the global conversation on accessibility was still in its early stages. Since then, the lived experiences of persons with disabilities have been central to driving change. Their advocacy, leadership, and expertise—supported by organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and strengthened through multistakeholder cooperation—have helped shape a more inclusive digital landscape. Today, the impact of this collective effort is visible across multiple sectors.

Significant progress has been made in education, where accessible digital learning platforms, assistive technologies, and inclusive pedagogical tools have expanded opportunities for learners with disabilities. In the workplace, digital tools and remote work models have opened new pathways for participation, enabling greater flexibility and reducing physical and attitudinal barriers. Access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) has improved through more accessible websites, mobile applications, and digital services, while television and media have increasingly integrated captioning, audio description, and sign language interpretation.

Governments have also played a critical role. Over the past two decades, many countries have adopted national legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks aligned with the CRPD. These efforts have been reinforced by growing investment in capacity‑building initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional knowledge, technical expertise, and cross‑sector collaboration. The development of accessible and smart environments, from inclusive public transportation systems to digitally enabled smart cities, reflects a broader recognition that accessibility is not a niche concern but a prerequisite for sustainable development and social inclusion.

Yet the digital divide remains stark. Millions of persons with disabilities—especially in developing countries, rural communities, and remote areas—continue to face barriers to connectivity, affordability, and access to assistive technologies. Training and technical support remain uneven, and the cost of devices deepens inequality.

As emerging technologies evolve, new challenges have also surfaced. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated decision‑making systems hold tremendous potential to enhance accessibility, but they also risk reinforcing existing inequalities if not designed inclusively. Persons with disabilities face heightened exposure to cybersecurity threats, particularly when digital systems lack accessible authentication methods or fail to consider diverse user needs. The absence of inclusive data governance frameworks raises concerns about privacy, representation, and the ethical use of disability‑related data.

Linguistic and cultural diversity remains another critical gap. Many digital platforms still lack accessible communication formats, including sign language interpretation, captioning, and transcription services. This exclusion disproportionately affects persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who rely on non‑spoken communication. It also highlights a broader issue: digital accessibility must reflect the full diversity of disability experiences, languages, and cultural contexts.

Looking ahead, the next decade of digital transformation will require renewed commitment and collective action. The CRPD provides a strong foundation, but its promise depends on sustained, coordinated efforts across governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and the technical community. Strengthening multilateral dialogue is essential for aligning standards, advancing shared priorities, and ensuring that persons with disabilities can shape the future of technology as leaders, innovators, and co‑creators.

Building an inclusive digital future means embedding universal design into emerging technologies, ensuring AI systems are trained on diverse datasets, expanding access to affordable assistive technologies, strengthening digital literacy, and supporting Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in capacity‑building efforts. It also requires creating environments where persons with disabilities can meaningfully participate in decision‑making processes.

Twenty years after the adoption of the CRPD, the world has made undeniable progress—but the journey toward full digital inclusion is far from complete. As technology continues to evolve, so must our commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. By centering the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and upholding the CRPD as a guiding framework, the global community can build a digital future that is accessible, equitable, and empowering for all.