Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy Joins G3ict as Senior Advisor, Capacity Building and Advocacy

ATLANTA (February 08, 2021) —

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs, is pleased to announce that Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy, a distinguished international disability advocate, has joined G3ict as Senior Advisor on Capacity Building and Advocacy. In his role, Dr. Loutfy will further G3ict’s research on best practices and outreach to international disability organizations, in-country advocates, government entities and private sector stakeholders involved in the implementation of the digital accessibility provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Dr. Loutfy comes to G3ict with a wealth of hands-on experience in advancing the rights of Persons with Disabilities in his home country of Lebanon, at regional level and on a global level as Executive Director of Disabled People’s International (DPI), a position that he will continue to assume pro bono. Dr. Loutfy is well-versed in the inner workings of the United Nations System and served on or led many of its committees and task forces related to disability rights.

"Dr. Loutfy will be a tremendous resource to help us our knowledge base in digital accessibility in more targeted ways to advocacy organizations, government agencies and civil society leaders involved in the implementation of the CRPD," said Axel Leblois, President of G3ict. "The 2020 DARE Index data shows that countries commitments to digital accessibility are progressing around the world. However, significant gaps remain in actual implementation of those commitments, often due to a lack of awareness of existing solutions, standards, and good practices."

Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Vice President for Institutional Relations and Advocacy added: "Dr. Loutfy will contribute valuable insights in how to best address the specific priorities and interests of local advocates by tailoring our policy and technical knowledge base accumulated over the past 15 years. There are many opportunities that can improve the lives of millions of Persons with Disabilities that are still not recognized by States Parties to the CRPD due to a lack of awareness and knowledge of practical proven solutions."

"It is with great pleasure, honor, and gratitude that I join G3ict’s team to work with sincere dedicated friends and experts on promoting digital accessibility rights for my fellow women and men living with disabilities all over the world, particularly in the Global South," Dr. Loutfy commented. "I share G3ict’s vision of a world where more than a billion persons will enjoy equal access to ICTs and digital contents, products, and services. I feel grateful to G3ict and its leadership for opening this opportunity to join their family and work on spreading practical knowledge about solutions to advance digital accessibility among advocacy organizations, governments, and civil society globally. I am also grateful to those who have helped me through my career growth, including my immediate family, friends, and colleagues in the global disability movement, which set the stage for this next step as an advocate. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with them, and along my new colleagues at G3ict, so we together can secure a better future for our fellow persons with disabilities through knowledge, empowerment, and inclusion."