Global Trends in Accessibility Public Policy James Thurston Vice President for Global Strategy & Development G3ict the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR INCLUSIVE ICTs Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Digital AgeGlobal Trends in Accessibility Public Policy James Thurston Vice President for Global Strategy & Development G3ict the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs Mexico City August 28, 2015 Slide title goes here on this line Bullet one Bullet two Bullet three Bullet four Bullet Five Bullet one Bullet two Bullet three G3icts Global Purpose Formed in December 2006 upon adoption of the CRPD by the United Nations General Assembly To promote the accessibility of Information and Communication Technologies as per CRPD dispositions In partnership with UN agencies, Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs), National Governments, Standards Development Organizations, and ICT industry Global Impact by Supporting Policy Makers and Advocates (1) Model policies for States Parties with UNESCO and ITU Inclusive ICTs for Education (With UNESCO)- March 2014 Existing legal framework, TV, Mobile, Web, Public Procurement, Public Access Points (With ITU) November 2014 Direct Advising to & Partnering with Governments E.g. Mexico, Turkey, United States, Australia, European Union, South Africa, Qatar, Russia, Egypt, Colombia, etc. Benchmarking 76 countries participating in G3ict CRPD ICT Accessibility Progress Report representing more than 80% of the population of ratifying countries Technical reports (TV, Mobile, USF) & good practices Global Impact by Supporting Advocates and Policy Makers (2) Awareness Raising and on-line resources Contributions to more than 125 international events 60,000 annual unique visitors to G3ict web site 23,000 downloads & 12,000 annual unique visitors to the G3ict-ITU Policy Toolkit New Accessibility Worldview global policy tracking service Promoting innovation: M-Enabling Summit 500 participants in 2015 in the U.S. + global sessions (Sydney, Milan, Moscow) Capacity building programs Seminars for Disabled Persons Organizations leaders Deliver UNPRPD funded programs with UNICEF and UNESCO CRPD Ratification Data CRPD Dispositions on ICT Accessibility: Article 9 elevates ICT Accessibility obligations on par with those for the built environment and transportation Requires States Parties to: Adopt standards Ensure that public and private sector entities implement ICT accessibility for services to the public Promote the usage of new technologies and the Internet by Persons with Disabilities Other CRPD articles reinforce the obligation of ICT accessibility for freedom of expression, work and education, and for assistive technologies and reasonable accommodation The CRPD Specifies Accessibility Requirements Application AreasCRPD Article Accessibility Dispositions with Implications for ICTs Reasonable Accommodation Promoting Assistive Technologies Non- discrimination5 Y E-Government9.2.aY Media and Internet9.1, 9,2.gY Television30.1.bY Private Sector Services9.2.bY Liberty and Security14 Y Living Independently19 Y Education24YYY Employment27YY Political Rights21, 29Y Y Emergency Services9.1.b, 11Y Culture and Leisure30.5.cY Personal Mobility20 Y Rehabilitation2 Y G3ict Global Policy Insights 1.CRPD Progress Report surveys 2.Accessibility Worldview Service 3.Global development survey 4.Global network of >1000 accessibility experts & leaders 5.In-country experience in every region Main Uses of the CRPD ICT Accessibility Progress Report Assessing global progress of the Implementation of the ICT accessibility dispositions of the CRPD Benchmarking tool for country advocates and governments Evaluating opportunities for international organizations and private sector programs and initiatives Methodology of the Progress Report Two questionnaires per country one for legal experts, one for accessibility experts, often complemented by local peer reviews 57 data points identified: 3 Legs Country commitments: Country legal, regulatory and programmatic implementations (35) Country capacity to implement (12) Country actual results for PWDs (10) Methodology of the Progress Report Systematic review of CRPD ICT accessibility dispositions and guidelines on country reporting In partnership with Disabled Peoples International (DPI) 2013 panel: 74 CRPD ratifying countries in-country advocates Covers 72% of world population; 81% of population of ratifying countries Country Commitments: Positive Impact of CRPD 85% have a constitutional article, law or regulation defining the rights of persons with disabilities 69% of countries surveyed have a designated focal point within government for matters relating to the CRPD and a framework for implementing and monitoring the CRPD 62% have a definition of "Reasonable Accommodation" included in a law or regulation (only mentioned in very few countries before adoption of the CRPD) Laws, Regulations and Policies Enacted by States Parties Does Your Country?Yes Have a constitutional article, law or regulation defining the rights of PwD86% Have laws, policies or programs to ensure that PwD and their representative organizations are consulted in development and implementation of legislation 74% Promote access for PwD to information and communications technologies and systems, including the Internet 69% Have a designated focal point within government for matters relating to the CRPD and a framework for implementing and monitoring the CRPD 68% Have a definition of "Reasonable Accommodation" included in any law or regulation regarding the Rights of PwD63% Facilitate access by PwD to quality mobility aids, devices, assistive technologies and forms of live assistance 59% Ensure that government communications to the public using ICTs are provided in accessible formats, sign language or Braille 57% Have laws, policies or programs that promote awareness-raising and training programs about the CRPD 53% Have a definition of accessibility which includes ICTs or electronic media in the country laws or regulations50% Provide services to the general public, including through the Internet, in accessible and usable formats for PwD 43% Define public procurement rules policy promoting accessible ICTs 33% Few Broadband Strategies Include Accessibility Policies Promoting Accessibility in Key Areas? Are there any dispositions among Country laws, regulations or government supported programs promoting digital accessibility, the use of ATs or provisions for reasonable accommodations in the following areas? NoMinimumPartialSubstantialFull Teleworking76%8%10%4%1% Judicial Information and Legal Procedure67%18%11%4%0% Local Community Services63%14%15%6%1% Health Services62%14%16%8%0% Emergency Response Services60%16%11%10%3% Voting systems59%12%19%8%1% Independent Living59%20%12%8%0% Higher Education49%22% 7%0% Rehabilitation Services44%27%23%6%1% Reasonable Accommodation at Workplace44%26%19%11%0% Primary and Secondary Education41%23%25%11%0% But Policies and Programs Among States Parties Are Few with Limited Implementation Policies and programs in place with degrees of implementation No Minim um Partial Substant ial Full Copyrights Exceptions84%7%6%3%0% ATM or Kiosks69%21%7%0%3% Fixed line Telephony65%14%13%6%1% Wireless Telephony65%18%9%4% Web Sites54%29%10%7%0% Television29%51%15%4%0% Policies to Promote Accessible and Assistive ICTs Does your country through its laws, regulations, policies or programs?Yes Promote research and development of universally designed (UD) goods 30% Define, promote and monitor accessibility standards for ICTs27% Promote the incorporation of accessibility features at an early stage of new product development 21% Capacity 1 In Your Country, Are There?Yes A government body specifically dedicated to Persons with Disabilities 79% A government body specifically dedicated to Information and Communication Technologies 63% Any government fund allocated for digital accessibility 33% A systematic review mechanism by the Country of the existing legislation and/or policies concerning digital access 20% Either statistics or data accessible for the general public about digital access by persons with disabilities 9% Capacity 2 In Your Country, Are There?Yes Financial supports for DPOs and NGOs working in field of digital accessibility34% Forum for active cooperation between NGOs working in field of digital accessibility24% A systematic mechanism to involve the DPOs working the field of digital accessibility to the drafting, designing, implementation and evaluation of laws/policies 13% Any awards or other types of recognition for persons with disabilities or their representative organizations which have done extraordinary work in field of accessibility 12% Capacity 3 In Your Country, Are There?Yes Participation in the work of international standards development organizations related to digital accessibility 42% Nationwide conferences and other awareness raising information programs, projects, in the field of digital access over the past two years organized by Civil Society 37% Nationwide conferences and other awareness raising information programs, projects, in the field of digital access over the past two years organized by Government 32% Any Assistance Technical Center 28% Nationwide conferences and other awareness raising information programs, projects, in the field of digital access over the past two years organized by Private Sector/Industry 20% Mandatory training programs (at universities, vocational schools, etc.) for future professionals about digital access for persons with disabilities 11% DPO support worse in developing economies Support of DPOs and NGOS High IncomeUpper MiddleLower MiddleLow IncomeGrand Total Mechanism to Involve DPOs in the Development of Laws27%15%13%7%15% Government Financial support for DPOs and NGOs53%37%19%20%32% Awards for PwDs provided by Government33%20%13%7%18% Awards for PwDs provided by Gov. Civil Society and Industry7%5%13%0%6% A Forum for the Active Cooperation between NGOs50%29%13%0%23% Awards for PwDs provided by Industry13%0%6%0%5% Awards for PwDs provided by Civil Society33%11%19%13%18% Policy Outcomes & Implementation Results Leg #3: Actual Implementation and ImpactYes Accessible Telecom and Media Services37% Accessible Features for Computers47% Specific ICT Products and Services50% In Your Country, Are There?Yes Closed captioning or sign language interpretation implemented by TV broadcasters71% Sign language for news, emergency communications or other important live ppannouncements 62% Libraries for the blind or public libraries providing e-books services 59% Assistive Technologies available to students with disabilities at major universities 52% Government websites which are accessible 45% Wireless telephone handsets with accessibility features available 45% Accessible public electronic kiosks or ATMs deployed in the country 39% Programs in place to facilitate the usage of telephony by persons with disabilities 26% Closed-captioning or sign language interpretation by TV broadcasters - Captioning of pre-recorded programs or movies 24% Accessible websites among the top 10 commercial and media websites 19% Closed-captioning or sign language interpretation by TV broadcasters - Captioning of live ogPrograms 20% Closed-captioning or sign language interpretation by TV broadcasters - Video or audio description for the blind 17% Is the country more accessible? Country's ImplementationYes Screen readers available in the country's country principal language 63% Personal Computer operating system in the country official language that supports text to speech and voice recognition 57% Alternative input devices (head-trackers, joy sticks, etc.) 53% Screen readers available in the country's country minority languages 15% Is the country more accessible? Part 2 In Your Country, Are There?Yes Libraries for the blind or public libraries providing e-books services 59% Assistive technologies available to students with disabilities at major universities 52% Accessible public electronic kiosks or ATMs deployed in the country 38% Key Policy Gaps Survey Data Legs Degree of Compliance Countries Commitment66% Countries Capacity for Implementation29% Countries Implementation and Impact42% However, Legal Foundation for ICT Accessibility Remains Weak 50% of surveyed countries DO NOT have a definition of accessibility which includes ICTs or electronic media in the country laws or regulations Inconsistent with Article 9 of the CRPD Affects in-country advocacy in promoting ICT accessibility Language Diversity Creates Additional Challenges: Availability of localized solutions among surveyed countries: 63% mention screen readers to be available in the country's principal language 13% only mention screen readers to be available in a country's minority languages Policy gaps are not changing much over time Assessment of Core Countries for %Compliance2011 %Compliance2013 %Compliance Average Country Commitment Average Country Capacity for Implementation Average of the Country's Implementation and Impact666265 POLICY GAPS VARY BY REGION Survey Data Legs AfricaAsiaEurope Latin America & Caribbean North America Oceania Countries Commitments27%35%56%42%90%57% Countries Capacity for Implementation 23%32%38%27%56%30% Countries Implementation and Impact 31%38%61%48%96%62% Regional Policy Gaps More Detail Average of Countries CommitmentsAfricaAsiaEuropeOceania North America Latin America and The Caribbean Regulatory Framework47%50%75%91% 68% Policies for ICT Application Areas29%36%61%82%100%37% Policies for Specific ICT Technology23%32%54%53%93%30% Policies for Specific Target Group22%27%53%56%67%47% Policies for Assistive ICTs17%29%38%33%100%25% Average of Countries' Capacity for Implementation Government Focus41%34%48%53%40%37% Support of DPOs and NGOs13%20%27%14%43%7% Capacity Building16%42%41%33%86%32% Average of Countries' Implementation and Impact Accessible Telecom and Media Services25%31%56% 89%28% Accessible Features for Computers30%43%63%56%100%55% Specific ICT Products and Services37%40%65%75%100%60% Success Factors for Countries Capacity to Implement* A government body specifically dedicated to Persons with Disabilities A systematic mechanism to involve the DPOs (persons with disabilities) working in the field of digital access to the drafting, designing, implementation and evaluation of laws and policies Financial support for DPOs and NGOs from the Country working in the field of digital access for persons with disabilities A forum for the active cooperation between NGOs working in the field of digital access Laws, policies or programs that promote awareness-raising and training programs about the CRPD Country participation to the work of international standards development organizations related to Digital Accessibility * Factors identified through regression analysis for significance (2012) Moving Forward on National Accessibility Policy Design country driven multi-stakeholder programs that are focused on specific areas of ICT accessibility (i.e. Television broadcasting, mobile services, e-government, Inclusive ICTs for Education etc.): Open and flexible in order to engage relevant stakeholders for each sector including DPOs Generating sector specific roadmaps, progress metrics, milestones and monitoring processes involving relevant stakeholders including DPOs Supported by disability-inclusive development data collection, analyses, and reporting, and tools for disseminating the results. Enhance in-country capacity through training and broadening skills in internally identified subjects related to ICT accessibility, capacity development from mediation to economics by: o Being willing to promote capacity building program funding that involves fewer clear-cut short term accessibility outputs, and targets that are less easily monitored and quantified besides the increased number of individuals trained and their level of proficiency. o Offering training and awareness raising programs on ICT accessibility to enable essential stakeholders such as DPO leaders and public and private sector executives to participate in the design of ICT accessibility programs and policies in an effective manner. o Deploying capacity building and technical programs consistent with and supportive of implementation roadmaps for specific sectors such as TV Broadcasting, mobile, egovernment web sites or education. Encourage greater adaptability to local conditions through: o Delegation and decentralization and o Broader financial mechanisms to make them more flexible to include longer-term resource commitments, programmatic approaches to funding and support for cooperative agreements, multi-lateral agreements, and other forms of multi-source arrangements including from the private sector. Shared Responsibilities for Policy NEXT STEPS: What successful practices would you put forward to highlight the contribution of ICTs for economic and social inclusion? Governments Priority Actions Strengthening research and development to develop new ICT-enabled solutions for persons with disabilities #1#1 Incorporating accessibility requirements in procurement policies #2#2 Updating disability legislation to include ICTs in the legal definition of accessibility #2#2 Introducing procurement policies help create a critical mass, making the accessibility market more interesting for investors. 37 Orgs. of persons with disabilities Priority Actions Training persons with disabilities to use accessible ICTs #1#1 Raising persons with disabilities awareness of what ICTs can do to facilitate their economic and social inclusion #2#2 Getting organizations of persons with disabilities involved in policy making #3#3 If you cannot access education, you cannot get access to the labour market and you cannot achieve independent living. NEXT STEPS: What would be the priority actions to be undertaken in order to leverage the potential of ICTs in develop- ment efforts? 38 NEXT STEPS: What would be the priority actions to be undertaken in order to leverage the potential of ICTs in develop- ment efforts? Private Sector Priority Actions Lowering the cost of accessible technology #1#1 Training information technology professionals on ICT accessibility #2#2 Strengthening research and development to develop new ICT-enabled solutions for persons with disabilities #3#3 The mainstreaming of assistive technology in devices such as Smartphones and Tablets reduce the cost of ICTs for persons with disabilities. 39 4 Big Challenges for More Progress on Global Accessibility Policy 1.Global Disability Data Divide 2.Global Development Agenda 3.Role of DPOs 4.Business Case for Accessibility Data Divide Slide To goal of the ICT consultation in support of the HLMDD was to capture the recommendations from relevant stakeholders on how to fully leverage the contribution of ICTs to achieve the autonomous participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. Report edited and published by the ITU Participating Organizations: 42 43 The Consultation Expert inputs: 150 DPOs: 26% CSOs: 20% National Governments: 18% Geographical Distribution: Academic Institutions: 11% Private Sector: 19% Individuals: 15% 44 Findings 45 The ICT opportunity Ranking WebsitesMobilesTV setsRadioOther Healthcare Primary education Secondary education Tertiary, prof., lifelong education Employment Independent living Government services Participation: political & public life : To a large extent, : To a moderate extent, : To some extent, : To little extent, : Not at all To what extent are ICTs improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities? From 0 (not at all) to 5 (to a large extent) QUESTION: What are the key barriers limiting the use of ICTs in disability-inclusive development agenda? Lack of ICT accessibility The lack of ICT accessibility remains a significant barrier which is observable in all areas of development. Many solutions exist but are not available in all of the hundreds of languages that are spoken all over the world. Accessibility barriers are further maintained by the lack of policies which foster widespread availability of accessible ICTs and the lack of effective implementation of the aforementioned policies. Among State Parties to the CRPD, few national governments have translated the provisions of Article 9 of the Convention into their legislative frameworks. 46 Cost of Assistive Technology Cost of Assistive Technology, a pervasive barrier, was considered one of the biggest obstacles for persons with disabilities, affecting in particular in healthcare, primary education, secondary education, tertiary, professional and lifelong education, employment, and independent living. The cost barrier includes cost of equipment, services, training and maintenance of Assistive Technologies. The mainstreaming of accessibility features and the use of Open Source technology can lower costs and bridge market failures. Lack of awareness and training Experts highlight that many countries with low income per capita have limited if no assistive technology programs in education, rehabilitation and community centres and employment support services. As a consequence, persons with disabilities lack the skills to adopt ATs and acquire digital literacy. QUESTION: What are the key barriers limiting the use of ICTs in disability-inclusive development agenda? 47 The ICT Opportunity for a Disability-Inclusive Development Framework* A 2013 report which identified specific contribution that ICTs can bring to achieve a disability- inclusive development agenda, challenges to be overcome, and actions to be undertaken. For example, priority actions for civil society and DPOs involve: #1 = Training persons with disabilities to use accessible ICTs #2 = Raising persons with disabilities awareness of what ICT can do to facilitate their economic and social inclusion #3 = Getting DPOs involved in policy making Other actions can be undertaken thru capacity building with countries G3ict/DPI training session for leaders of South Asia DPOs ICT Accessibility: Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and Advocacy Organizations, New Delhi February 15-16, 2014, Curriculum developed by BarrierBreak, in cooperation with Microsoft G3ict/Microsoft/Trust for the Americas/RIADIS//DPI - The Digital Era Belongs to Everyone: Promoting Public Policies for ICT Accessibility May 8-9, 2014, Bogot, Colombia training and participation among leaders of organizations of persons with disabilities on the subject of public policy for ICT accessibility. * This 2013 report prepared by Broadband Commission for Digital Development, G3ict, IDA, ITU, Microsoft, the Telecentre.org Foundation or UNESCO. Content based on the information gathered during the ICT consultation in support of the HLMDD. Average CRPD Compliance of Countries' Commitments Very High Human Development High Human Development Medium Human Development Low Human Development General Legal and Regulatory Framework78%68%48%46% Policies Covering Specific ICT Application Areas68% 40% 35% 25% Policies Covering Information Infrastructure59% 34% 31% 20% Policies Covering Specific Target Groups58% 36% 32% 18% Policies to Promote Accessible and Assistive ICTs45% 20% 25% 14% Average of Countries Capacity for Implementation Government Focus52% 37% 38% 35% Support of DPOs and NGOs 27% 14% 12% 11% Capacity Building 45% 33% 34% 17% Average of Countries Implementation and Impact Accessible Telecom and Media Services 65% 37% 26% 18% Accessible Features for Computers 79% 41% 48% 27% Specific ICT Products and Services 80% 51% 44% 33% Average CRPD Compliance of Countries CommitmentsHigh-Income Economies Upper-Middle Income Economies Lower-Middle Income Economies Low-Income Economies General Legal and Regulatory Framework 80% 68%41% 45% Policies Covering Specific ICT Application Areas73% 39% 28% 23% Policies Covering Information Infrastructure61%36%23% 19% Policies Covering Specific Target Groups 61% 43% 21% 11% Policies to Promote Accessible and Assistive ICTs 48% 25% 16% 13% Average of Countries Capacity for Implementation Government Focus 52% 47%31% 30% Support of DPOs and NGOs 26% 16%13% 7% Capacity Building 45% 35%30% 14% Average of Countries' Implementation and Impact Accessible Telecom and Media Services 65%36% 24%17% Accessible Features for Computers79%45% 19% Specific ICT Products and Services 86%50% 39%28% From Pink Report role of Private sector Moving Forward prIvATE sECTOr priority actions prioritization Lowering the cost of assistive technologies Training information technology professionals on ICT accessibility Strengthening research and development to develop new ICT-enabled solutions for persons with disabilities #3 QUESTIONS? Thank you! 11 th Session of Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals: Meeting Summary of 16 Focus Areas & Crosswalks to CRPD Article 9 11 th Session of Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals: Meeting Summary of 16 Focus Areas & Crosswalks to CRPD Article 9 (cont.) Stages and Strategies for Building Local Capacity