Page 26 - Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities - A U4SSC deliverable

In line with the above global commitments and human rights, governments and policymakers
should consider the formulation and development of laws and policies, including those related
to procurement, that ensure equality in access to information and communication technologies
for all, including by promoting the creation of a market for accessible ICTs through well-planned
procurement policies.

2.2.2 Procurement of accessible ICT products and services

Accessibility requirements and standards supported by public procurement policies are the key
drivers for an inclusive society. Additionally, accessible ICTs are a powerful enabler of people’s
ability to participate in every aspect of modern life.

Accessibility is defined within EN ISO 9241-112:2017 as the “extent to which products, systems,
services, environments and facilities can be used by people from a population with the widest range
of user needs, characteristics and capabilities to achieve identified goals in identified contexts of
use”. An accessible ICT product or service is one that can be used by all its intended users, taking
into account their differing capabilities. A person’s ability to use technology may be impaired due
to various physical, sensory, emotional or cognitive disabilities. This difficulty may be due to a
temporary or permanent disability. However, it may also be due to the situation in which they are
using the ICT such as while driving, or in a noisy environment.

Therefore, in many countries, there are laws, policies and regulations that require sectors such as
government and education to ensure that the services they provide through ICT are fully accessible.
Governments are the number-one technology buyers. A procurement policy for accessible ICT
products and services will have an enormous impact on inclusion. In addition, if governments
ensure accessible ICTs, they will offer more labour opportunities for persons with disabilities.

A national procurement standard should include technical standards to define the functionalities
expected from ICTs. These technical standards should be harmonized with the international
standards to create economies of scale and to increase the competitiveness of the national
technology.

If government and public authorities purchase accessible ICTs, they:

• create an accessible employment and inclusive environment in the public sector;
• deliver better value for money to citizens; and

• make them (accessible ICTs) affordable by reducing the cost.

Often, governments fund and buy a huge array of ICT goods and services. Considering that public
procurement represents between 10 and 17 per cent of the GDP of an average country, through an
accessible ICT public procurement policy, governments can develop a prosperous digital market.

12 Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities | May 2023