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Time and place: Wednesday 24 June 2020, 13h00 – 14h00 CET (Webinar)
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ITU-D Study Groups organised a public webinar focusing on the impact of global COVID-19 pandemic on ICT Accessibility. COVID-19 has emphasized the need to intensify all activities related to digital/ICT accessibility as a means to ensure digital inclusion of all people, including those with disabilities.
ITU Study Group Q7/1 deems it necessary to discuss the impact of unprecedented global pandemic, in the context of the Q7/1 mandate related to ICT accessibility which has risen as imperative to guarantee inclusive societies in the digital world.
The public and private sector as well as the industry manufacturers need to be motivated to develop and deliver accessible ICTs while the implementation of ICT accessibility policies and strategies need to gain top priority and be part of the global policymakers' agenda. By doing so, the governments will lead by example and ensure that digital information, products, and services are available, affordable, and accessible for all persons, including those with disabilities. This open, informative and interactive web dialogue will analyse the importance of ICT accessibility global implementation and the related impact of COVID 19 on the lives of people with disabilities. The web dialogue aims to motivate all stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that through national, regional and global implementation of ICT accessibility, member states ensure that there is no one left behind in the digital world and inclusive communities are established.
(Contact devsg@itu.int with any questions you may have)
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Global awareness-raising and engagement to prioritize ICT accessibility and to ensure that everyone's right to communicate and be part of the digital world is fulfilled
- Sharing global good practices and strategies developed to overcome the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, and other persons with specific needs in accessing vital information services and products during COVID 19
- Sharing of lessons learned to apply within the COVID19 recovery period
- Global awareness-raising and dissemination of the related COVID19 guidelines
- Generate additional content for the draft Final Report and related outcome for ITU members' consideration in their national and regional agendas.
Based on discussions held during the Webinar, an ITU News article on "The need for increased digital accessibility during COVID-19 — and beyond" was issued on 26 June 2020.
OPENING REMARKS
Ms. Doreen Bogdan Martin, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union [Biography]
SPEAKERS
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Ms. Daniela Bas, Director Division for Inclusive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) [Biography]
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Ms. Immaculada Placencia- Porrero,
Senior Expert, Disability and Inclusion, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission [Biography]
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Ms. Lidia Best, Chair, National Association of Deafened People (NADP) of the United Kingdom [Biography]
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Mr. Axel Leblois, President and Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs – G3ict [Biography]
MODERATOR:
Ms. Amela Odobasic, Rapporteur of Q7/1 [Biography]
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