G3ict and Nigeria’s National Association of Persons with Disabilities Sign MoU to Promote Digital Inclusion

ATLANTA (November 23, 2020) —

The Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict) and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), an umbrella organization of persons with disability in Nigeria, today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a policy partnership to promote and defend the rights of over 30 million persons with disabilities representing 15% in the country’s population.

The new alliance focuses on ICT accessibility across society, including in smart cities and universities. The two organizations will explore and undertake collaborations in a variety of ways, including capacity-building activities, sharing best practices, training personnel, conducting joint studies; providing technical assistance on ICT procurement policies and related global accessibility standards, as well as in creating and amending related laws and institutions.

"With the wealth of experience of G3ict in the accessibility of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), Assistive Technologies, capacity building programmes, and the creation of accessible products, content and services, JONAPWD considers the partnership with G3ict as very strategic; as it would enable organizations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria effectively push for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the recently signed Disability Law," said Ekaete Judith Umoh, National President, JONAPWD.

"Collaboration between G3ict and JONAPWD is important because it will make the urban areas in Nigeria more liveable and truly sustainable for everyone. Most Nigerian cities are utterly unfriendly to persons with disabilities, but with many persons would be urban-dwellers in the nearest future, this collaboration will lead to undeniable advances that would make life easier for everyone in Nigeria," said Engineer Charles Uchenna Ani, G3ict’s Smart Cities for All Country Representative for Nigeria. "This partnership would enable persons with disabilities in Nigeria to benefit from the advances of smart cities that consider their specific needs from the very start of the project."

The G3ict-JONAPWD MoU aims to achieve cooperation through various modalities including education programs, symposia, virtual seminars, and the like; technical information exchange and additional in-person training providing additional resources and tools; transfer of experiences, studies, good practices, standards, and tools through human talent visits to increase capacity; joint projects and research and development; public awareness campaigns, and development and strengthening of skills.

"G3ict is honored to be partnering with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability," said James Thurston, Vice President for Global Strategy and Development, G3ict. "Their commitment, leadership, and vision are critical to advancing the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria."

Both G3ict and JONAPWD will designate representatives as coordinators for the mutual implementation of the agreement.