Skip to main content
G3ict

Qualitative Data Collected by Variable for South Africa

Country Laws and Regulations

General Law protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

Definition of ICT accessibility:

Definition of Reasonable Accommodation:

Universal Service Obligation includes Persons with Disabilities:

Country Capacity to Implement

  • Government agency for Persons with Disabilities:

Department of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities It is part of the Presidency, and falls under Women, Youth and People with Disabilities in the presidency:

  • Government agency for accessible ICTs:

Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)

CSIR Meraka Institute

  • Process to involve DPOs in ICT accessibility policy making:

The South African government consults widely with stakeholders in the disability sector when drafting, designing, implementation and evaluation of laws and policies. Public Participation Framework

  • Country refers to international ICT accessibility standards:

National Integrated ICT Policy

  • ICT accessibility courses available at universities or professional education services:

The Department of Higher Education and Training have a policy in place to ensure that all institutions of Higher Education be accessible for persons with different disabilities. Most universities have disability units to assist students with various categories of disabilities to ensure that students with disabilities are able to successfully complete their studies. The University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch both have specific programs that focuses on Disability Studies. This program was initiated by DPSA, Leeds University and UCT during 2003. Many members of DPSA have attended the program and have exited either with a Post Graduate Diploma in Disability Studies, A MPhil in Disability Studies or a Doctorate in Disability Studies to make the Disability Sector more knowledgeable about various aspect of Disability and Development, Disability Research, etc. This program has helped DPSA to provide government with a more informed and evidence based input with regard to disability policy development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

Many organizations and civil society organizations in South Africa advocate for ICT accessibility. South African universities have Disability Units and designed strategies for accessibility courses.

Strategy for the use of ICT in learning and teaching at Stellenbosch University

Country Policy and Programs Outcomes

  • Web:

-Country Policies: Promotion of Access Act 2, 2000

  • TV and multimedia:

-Country Policy: The Equality Act requires the elimination of any obstacles preventing South Africans from enjoying any equal opportunities, and mandates the steps to be taken to reasonably accommodate their needs.

The Promotion of Access to Information Act establishes every South African’s right to access any information held by a public or private body to the extent that the limitations are reasonable and justifiable.

The Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (ECA) constitutes an umbrella legislation addressing the universality of accessibility and redress within the ICT sector in South Africa. As regulator for the South African electronic communications, broadcasting and postal services sector, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), is mandated through the ECA. In terms of section 2(c) of the ECA, ICASA is required to promote the empowerment of historically disadvantaged persons, with particular attention to the needs of women, opportunities for youth and persons with disabilities

  • Mobile telephony:

-Country Policy: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act No. 13 of 2000, Code for persons with Disabilities Regulations

  • E-books and digital contents:

N/A

  • Promoting the Internet Availability and Usage among Persons with Disabilities:

-Country Program: Inclusive ICTs for all in education- The Vodacom Foundation, in partnership with government, has installed computers with Skype accessibility at various Deaf Schools in two provinces to give direct access to the Call Centre.

  • Enabling ICTs for all in employment:

N/A

  • E-government and Smart Cities for all:

N/A

  • Enabling Assistive Technologies and ICTs for independent living:

N/A

  • Procurement of accessible public goods and services for all citizens:

N/A