G3ict and DPI to Launch the Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Index for Persons with Disabilities

ATLANTA (March 31, 2009) —

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs, a flagship advocacy initiative of UN-GAID, the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Disabled People’s International (DPI) to collect data around the world on digital accessibility for persons with disabilities.

John D. Kemp, chair of the G3ict Research Committee and a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville P.C., said “The Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Index for Persons with Disabilities will offer a unique benchmarking tool and document laws, policies, and programs pertaining to ICT accessibility for policy makers around the globe.  This is a much needed resource as digital accessibility becomes a central issue for all persons with disabilities worldwide.”

Mary Ennis, Executive Director of DPI, stated that “the Index will be the first measure of the degree to which ratifying countries are implementing the ICT accessibility provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  We are very proud of being part of this research project with G3ict and the United Nations Global Alliance.  As an active participant in the preparatory work of the Convention, DPI and its members around the world are eager to promote the implementation of its digital accessibility agenda.” 

The Convention is one of the fastest human rights treaties ever adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, signed by 139 countries and ratified by 50, as of March 2009.  It was developed with the contribution of country delegations and NGOs representing persons with disabilities, and includes a number of detailed mandates related to accessible and assistive Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).  The     Convention at large - and more specifically its Article 9 - creates the first universal framework specifically addressing these issues which affect over 650,000,000 persons living with disabilities worldwide.