AT&T Collaborates with Smart Cities for All to Share Its Vision of Inclusive, Accessible Urban Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2017) —

AT&T is collaborating with G3ict and World Enabled, two nonprofits with a history of leadership in inclusive, accessible design, to launch a new report, Smart Cities for All: A Vision for an Inclusive, Accessible Urban Future.

The white paper, published on June 12 in alignment with the 2017 M-Enabling Summit, which takes place in Washington, D.C. on June 13-14, presents a vision of the revolution of smart city technology and its positive impacts worldwide.

In collaboration with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), AT&T compiled insights and proposed guidelines in this new white paper that takes its name from the Smart Cities for All initiative launched one year ago by G3ict and World Enabled. The initiative advances a vision of making cities all over the world smarter through more inclusive, accessible design.

The report’s aim is to help cities identify ways that smart city technologies can adopt a people-first approach to benefit people with disabilities and older citizens.

“As an Internet of Things leader, we realize all too well the positive impact smart cities solutions can have on improving and enhancing citizens’ lives,” said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T Business. “While full of promise, the adoption of smart cities technology is still in its infancy. As more and more cities begin to consider and implement smart city strategies, our hope is that they will take a holistic approach so that they are taking into account the needs of all citizens, so that everyone can fully reap the benefits of technology innovation—now and in the future.”

“Truly smart cities by definition and by design must be more inclusive and accessible cities,” said James Thurston, G3ict’s Vice President for Global Strategy & Development. “G3ict is proud to team with AT&T, as we have for many years, to define good practice and develop resources for making information and communication technology, or ICT, more accessible. This new vision for a more inclusive urban future will help cities across the U.S., Mexico, and worldwide focus on digital inclusion and Smart Cities for All.”

As more cities evaluate and embrace new technologies to make cities smarter and improve their economic and social well-being, older persons and people with disabilities are increasingly being excluded. A Smart Cities for All survey conducted by G3ict and World Enabled with 250 experts worldwide in August 2016 discovered that about 60 percent of global respondents believe smart cities are failing people with disabilities.

"Just over one billion people worldwide live with a disability. So our challenge is to design and deploy smart city services that leave no one behind," said Dr. victor Pineda, President of World Enabled. "We can get smarter cities by investing in design for inclusivity and accessibility. We are excited to collaborate with AT&T in sharing the four keys to success that city officials should use to ensure digital inclusion. These include designing for inclusion, engaging partners and stakeholders, promoting adoption of technology, and fostering the entrepreneur ecosystem." 

Onsite at the M-Enabling Summit, executives from AT&T, G3ict, and World Enabled will take part in a panel discussion on June 13 with other leading experts to discuss the vision documents’ four keys to success; explore barriers to digital inclusion in smart cities today; and offer solutions for city leaders and the technology industry.

“Cities can be the foundation of truly sustainable economic growth,” said Aron Cramer, President and CEO of BSR. “BSR is proud to collaborate with AT&T and Smart Cities for All to highlight smart city technologies that advance environmental, social, and economic benefits for everyone.”