ITU Regional Event, Towards Digitally Accessible Europe
3 December 2020 | Online Meeting
Opening Remarks by
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunication Union
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to everyone,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this virtual event Towards Digitally Accessible Europe.
As you all know, today is an important day- today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Annually, we observe this day to promote the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities, and to take action for their inclusion in all aspects of society and development [1].
Ladies and Gentlemen, in our day and time, taking action for inclusion is one and the same as taking action for digital inclusion,… and making sure that the transformative potential of digital technologies are accessible to all.
Persons with disabilities comprise an estimated 15 per cent of the world's population- about 1 billion people. Out of this number, an estimated 80 million live in EU countries.
Persons with disabilities often encounter discrimination and exclusion on a daily basis. They can be less likely to have access to education, health care and income opportunities, or be able to actively participate in their communities.
Already one of society's most marginalized groups, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Persons with Disabilities disproportionately. They have been among the hardest hit by the crisis in terms of fatalities and long-term damage to health.
Now more than ever, we need to find digital solutions to prevent further marginalization and enable their meaningful inclusion in society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just recently at the Internet Governance Forum, the UN Secretary-General challenged us all …to unleash the power of digital technologies as a true equalizer and enabler, as we seek to build a strong recovery from the pandemic [2].
If leveraged appropriately, digital technologies have great scope to enable access for Persons with Disabilities to participate in their communities, and equalize their opportunities to education, health care, employment and much more.
There are a number of initiatives underway to mobilize disability inclusion hand-in-hand with digital transformation.
In 2018, Member States confirmed ITU's mandate in the area of ICT accessibility at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference that year establishing a Strategic Plan target calling on Member States to establish accessible ICT environments for Persons with Disabilities in all countries by 2023.
In 2019, the UN Secretary-General launched the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy to proliferate UN system-wide efforts and mainstream disability inclusion.
Earlier this year in 2020, the UN Secretary-General's Digital Cooperation Roadmap was released, and recommendsing pathways for strengthening inclusivity in the digital space, including for Persons with Disabilities.
And of course the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also provides a powerful framework to guide us in achieving a disability-inclusive society.
We have heard in discussions over multiple forums now, that leveraging ICTs will be crucial for us to meet the 2030 targets.
To advance ''ICTs for all'', ITU has made available model policies, strategies, toolkits, guidelines and reports. This includes our ICT accessibility guidelines that outline principles and actions that policy makers should consider to ensure that digital information, services and products are accessible to all, including Persons with Disabilities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Europe has led by example. The European Accessibility Act guides countries to harmonize their approach and improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services.
Yet, there is still plenty to do to ensure that all countries of the region, EU members and others, can reduce inequalities and empower persons with disabilities by unleashing the uplifting power of digital technologies.
Member States from Europe already identified digital accessibility as a regional priority under the Regional Initiative for Europe on “Accessibility, affordability and skills development for all to ensure digital inclusion and sustainable development".
Since its establishment, this Accessible Europe initiative has engaged all countries of the region through direct assistance, policy advisory, regional competitions and special events.
Today's Forum, is jointly organised by ITU and the European Commission, serves as a unique European platform to promote the development of digital accessibility, through the collective effort and cooperation of stakeholders, exchange of policies and practices, and by driving innovation.
I am glad to announce that the third edition of Accessible Europe will be held from 23 to 25 March 2021, during the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU.
This is a unique opportunity to elevate ICT accessibility on the political agenda of the EU and its neighbouring countries. Let me thank the Government of Portugal for its commitment and support.
Innovation is a central focus area within ITU's work, as we seek to promote efficient, improved dynamics for digital accessibility.
I know that innovators across Europe are coming up with creative new digital solutions, that have the potential to empower Persons with Disabilities and reduce inequalities.
I look forward to innovators' participation in our regional competition- Innovative Digital Solutions for Accessible Europe, and your submissions by December 15.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2021 will be a very special year, as we gear up towards the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2021.
Here, the global ICT4SDG community will discuss ways to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development goals and ICTs for all, in this final decade of action to achieve the SDGs.
I invite all of you to take part in preparations for WTDC-21, including through the ITU Regional Preparatory Meeting for Europe which will be held from 18 to 19 January 2021.
Before I close, I want to pay tribute to our friend and colleague Mr Abdoulaye Dembele who passed away a few weeks ago. He was not from Europe but rather from Mali. He was a tireless advocate of our work in the accessibility space, not just in Mali or Africa but globally. His work inspires us to do more and to do better to ensure all people are included in the digital world… and that we do unleash the power of digital technologies as a true equalizer and enabler.
In closing, I wish to acknowledge and thank our strategic partners: the European Commission, EBU, EDF, as well as AMA, ANACOM, INR of Portugal, the Zero Project and many others for their great commitment to making a digitally accessible Europe a reality.
I look forward to hearing your discussions.
Thank you.
[1]
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/news/uncategorized/building-back-better-toward-a-disability-inclusive-accessible-and-sustainable-post-covid-19-world.html
[2]
Secretary-General's video message to the closing of the 15th Annual Internet Governance Forum; full line: “Together, as we seek to build a strong recovery from the pandemic, we can reduce the harmful aspects of digital technology, and unleash its power as a true equalizer and enabler.''
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2020-11-17/secretary-generals-video-message-the-closing-of-the-15th-annual-internet-governance-forum-internet-governance-the-age-of-uncertainty
