Proceedings of the Joint ITU-T & G3ict Forum 2008 on ICT Accessibility Standards Now Published Online
The proceedings, including video/audio web cast, of the Joint ITU-T & G3ict Forum 2008 on “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities for ICT Standards,” held at ITU Headquarters in Geneva on April 21, are now available as a free download in the event proceedings section of the G3ict’s Web site.
ATLANTA (June 10, 2008) —
The proceedings, including video/audio web cast, of the Joint ITU-T & G3ict Forum 2008 on “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities for ICT Standards,” held at ITU Headquarters in Geneva on April 21, are now available as a free download in the event proceedings section of the G3ict’s Web site.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is one of the fastest human rights treaties ever adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. 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 600,000,000 persons living with disabilities worldwide.
The Joint ITU-T & G3ict Forum explored the likely impact of the Convention on the evolution of ICT standards with the active participation of leaders overseeing accessibility standards issues, representatives from the industry, Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) representing persons with disabilities, research institutions, assistive technology developers, governments and academia.
The Forum’s proceedings offer a comprehensive review of existing and in-progress ICT accessibility standards; standardized methodologies taking into account accessibility at an early stage of ICT product development; the role of public policy and procurement in support of ICT accessibility standardization; and of follow-up action steps to facilitate the implementation of the Digital Accessibility framework set by the Convention.
About G3ict
G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs, is a flagship advocacy initiative of UN-GAID, the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development. Initiated by the Wireless Internet Institute, G3ict is a public-private partnership dedicated to facilitate the implementation around the world of the Digital Accessibility Agenda defined by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
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Contact: Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Director External Relations, G3ict at fcesabianchi@g3ict.org.