|
|
 |
In
depth I
Accessibility
|
|
 |
Accessibility on the Convention
Source:
U.N. Enable
Countries are to promote access to information by providing information intended for the general public in accessible formats and technologies, by facilitating the use of Braille, sign language and other forms of communication and by encouraging the media and Internet providers to make on-line information available in accessible formats. August 2007.[see more]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Disability isn't something you have, it is something that happens when one group of people create barriers by designing the world only for their style of living."
In the world as it is designed today, lack of accessibility to the physical environment -including housing, buildings, streets and other outdoor environments, public transport services and other means of transportation- is still a major barrier for persons with disabilities. Similarly, the new information and communication technology (ICT) developed over the last ten years, despite creating opportunities for people with disabilities in networking, solidarity employment and independent living, has also widened the gap between disabled and non-disabled users. The digital divide includes inaccessibility to infrastructure for ICT, Internet, and ICT skills by people with disabilities.
International standards exist which stress the overall importance of accessibility in the process of the equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities, and make recommendations for the creation non-handicapping environments and ensuring access to information and communication. Nonetheless, national governments, particularly in the South, have been slow to adopt such measures, and few substantive initiatives have been taken at policy level.
However, an active and globally linked movement of disabled people’s organizations is making sure that the issue of accessibility remains firmly on the agenda. They have shown that universal design approaches benefit all people in society, and make economic sense, too. They press for accessibility requirements to be included in the design and construction of the physical environment from the very beginning of the planning process, and promote adaptive technologies and design practices that would help improve access to Internet resources. Fundamental to achieving these goals is the input and participation of disabled users themselves.
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
August 2006
After five years of negotiations, countries meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York have agreed on a new treaty to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The convention will be formally sent to the General Assembly for adoption at its next session, which begins in September 2006. It will then be open for signing and ratification by all countries. Convention's Article 9 agees on accessibility:
ARTICLE 9
ACCESSIBILITY
1. To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas. These measures, which shall include the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, shall apply to, inter alia: - (a) Buildings, roads, transportation and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces;
- (b) Information, communications and other services, including electronic services and emergency services.
2. States Parties shall also take appropriate measures to: - (a) Develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public;
- (b) Ensure that private entities that offer facilities and services which are open or provided to the public take into account all aspects of accessibility for persons with disabilities;
- (c) Provide training for stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with disabilities;
- (d) Provide in buildings and other facilities open to the public signage in Braille and in easy to read and understand forms;
- (e) Provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public;
- (f) Promote other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons with disabilities to ensure their access to information;
- (g) Promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and communication technologies and systems, including the Internet;
- (h) Promote the design, development, production and distribution of accessible information and communications technologies and systems at an early stage, so that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost.
See full text
Versión
en español
|
|
|
 |
| |
| |
 |
 |
News |
| Up-to-date current affairs information. |
Tue Mar 21 2006
Persons with disabilities and the ad hoc Committee
|
 |
In-depth
reports |
| Detailed
reports on key issues |
Disabilities at work
In spite of existing national, regional and international laws and instruments and of actions, disabled persons continue to be subjected to violations of their human rights.
|
 |
Campaigns |
| NGO-organised
actions |
Towards visibility of disabled women in the UN Convention
|
 |
NGOs |
| NGO web sites |
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)
The goal of the project is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region.
Disability World
Bimonthly e-magazine dedicated to advancing an exchange of information and research about the international independent living movement of people with disabilities.
Pan African Federation of the Disabled - PAFOD
It is a continental organization of disabled peoples’ organizations, which constitutes 53 National Assemblies organized within five sub-regional federations representing West, South, Central, East and North Africa.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities |
 |
|
Civil society: promoting non-handicapping environments |
|
|
Civil society: internet accessibility initiatives |
|
|
Civil society: other accessibility issues |
|
|
The UN Standard Rules |
|
|
Other international norms and programmes |
|
|
Design manuals for a barrier-free environment |
|
|
Accessibility guidelines |
|
|
Guidelines on other accessibility issues |
|
|
Regional instruments |
|
|
Debate |
|
|
Discussion lists |
|
|
Information resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
