Introduction

Users of telecommunications and information technology have a varied capability of handling information and the controls for its presentation. The source of this variation lies in cultural and educational backgrounds as well as in age-related functional limitations, in disabilities, and in other natural causes. Although new ICTs have provided substantial benefits to modern society, there are still a large number of people who cannot enjoy them due to the lack of accessibility features. This problem is exacerbated by the Internet revolution. It is now common place to encounter phrases like e-health, e-education, e-trade, e-finance or e-medicine, describing important services that are entering into the everyday lives of ordinary people. So it is imperative that everyone has equal access to these ICT services on the Internet. ITU proposed to the IGF on 26 February 2008 the establishment of a Dynamic Coalition on “Accessibility and Disability”. Andrea Saks ITU / TDI Telecommunications for the Deaf inc. welcomed the proposal and volunteered to coordinate this effort.

Background

ITU organized the workshop “Making Accessibility a Reality in Emerging Technologies and the Web” during the 2nd meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Rio de Janeiro 12-15 November 2007. The event brought together experts from around the world to examine the best way to resolve accessibility needs in ICT and emerging technologies.

Hyderabad Declaration on IGF Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (DCAD 1st Meeting, 6 December 2008)

MESSAGE delivered at the IGF, Main Session on Access and Diversity, Tuesday 17 November 2009

WEBCAST of the Main Session on Access and Diversity

CAPTIONING of the Main Session on Access and Diversity

Speakers:

Chair:
Mr. Talal Abughazala

Moderator:
Mr. Jonathan Charles
Presenter, BBC World News

Pannellists:
Mr. Gerry Ellis
Accessibility and Usability consultant, Feel The BenefIT

Mr. Shadi Abou Zhara
Activity Lead, WAI International Program Office, W3C

Ms. Andrea Saks
Convener of the joint coordination activity on accessibility and human factors, Coordinator, Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability

Ms. Cynthia Waddell
Executive Director, International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet (ICDRI)