Accessibility
To achieve digital accessibility, ICTs should be not only be available and affordable, but also accessible, which means designed to meet the needs and abilities of all people – including those with disabilities. Adopting an intersectional approach, the Telecommunication Development Bureau’s ICT/digital accessibility work encompasses key activities, events, tools, and resources to strengthen capacities and enhance inclusive communication, building a prosperous digital future for all.
ITU is dedicated to creating an inclusive digital world for everyone through its work in ICT accessibility
ITU is fully committed to supporting our members’ efforts in implementing ICT accessibility policies and strategies around the world, so that everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or geographical location, is equally and equitably included in digital societies, economies and environments. In line with the Kigali Action Plan, in which ITU members recognized that available, affordable and accessible ICTs are powerful drivers for inclusive development, my vision as Director is to ensure that we impact people’s lives through digital development by building a more inclusive, meaningful and connected world for all.
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau
The imperative to Leave no one behind is just as relevant in the digital world
To ensure that “no one is left behind” in the digital world, digital accessibility is recognised as a key priority in several global commitments related to inclusiveness such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Transforming the World 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and, more recently, the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
– ITU Target 2.9: “By 2023, enabling environments ensuring accessible telecommunications/ICTs for persons with disabilities should be established in all countries” from The Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference Dubai, 2018
– ITU PP Resolution 175 (Rev. 2018) – Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs
– ITU-D WTDC Resolution 58 (Rev. 2017) – Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs
– ITU-T WTSA Res. 70 (Rev. 2016) – Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities
– ITU-R Resolution 67-1 – Telecommunication/ICT accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs
– UN Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (2020)
– UNSR Catalina Devandas Blog: Why the new UN Disability Inclusion Strategy is an opportunity for ITU (2020)
– WSIS Session “UN collaborative efforts towards SDGs, CRPD and UNDIS implementation in Digital Accessibility“ (2020)