The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: How Does

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: How Does it Impact the Internet? Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 Including Accessibility and Human Factors in the Universalization of the Internet - How to reach persons with disabilities, the 10% of the next billion Cynthia D. Waddell, Juris Doctor

Overview- UNCRPD: How Does it Impact the Internet? UNCRPD Background Equal Access to the Internet Accessible Web Design and Implementation Best Practices in Government and Procurement Resources Available IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 2

UNCRPD- Background UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Adopted by General Assembly 13 December 2006 Addresses Rights of 650 Million Persons with Disabilities and Impacts 2 Billion Persons including Family Members of Persons with Disabilities IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 3

UNCRPD- Background Number of Signatories on Opening Day 30 March 2007 were Highest in History Treaty Entered into Legal Force 3 May 2008 136 Signatories to Convention; 79 to the Optional Protocol as of November 2008 IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 4

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Equal Access to the Internet States Parties Shall Ensure Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities, on an Equal Basis with Others, by Promoting Accessibility [Article 9(2)(g)] Promoting Accessible ICT or Web to minimize cost at early stage in Design, Development, Production and Distribution [Article 9(2)(h)] IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 6

Accessible Web Design States Parties under the General Obligations of Treaty [Article 4] Are Required To: Promote Universal Design in Development of Standards & Guidelines Promote Assistive Technologies in Research, Development, Availability and Affordability Provide Accessible Information about New Technologies and Support Services Promote Training on the Convention IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 7

Accessible Web Implementation Statistical & Data Collection Collect Statistical & Research Data to Assess Convention Implementation and to Identify Barriers; Data Itself to be Accessible [Article 31] International Cooperation Facilitate Research & Access to Scientific & Technical Knowledge; Provide Technical & Economic Assistance; Technology Transfer [Article 32] IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 8

Best Practices for Government Mainstreaming Disability Issues for sustainable development Supporting Cross-Disability Stakeholder Engagement Accessible Web Sites & Documents Real Time Captioning Accessible Online Conferencing IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 9

Best Practices in Procurement Canada- Accessible Procurement Toolkit at www.apt.gc.ca Ireland-Accessible IT Procurement Toolkit at accessit.nda.ie USA- Buy Accessible Wizard at www.buyaccessible.gov IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 10

Resources Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance By Jim Thatcher, Cynthia Waddell et al Published by Apress 2006 ISBN: 1-59059-638-2 Published in Japanese 2007 ISBN: 978-4-8399-2220-7 IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 11

Resources Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention Available Free Online at www.un.org/disabilities IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 12

Resources Involving People with Disabilities in the Process Gill OBE National Standardisation by Dr. John Chief Scientist, Royal Institute of Blind People Available Free Online at www.tiresias.org/publications/ disabilities standardisation/ index.htm IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 13

Contact Information Cynthia WADDELL Executive Director Law, Policy and Technology Subject Matter Expert International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet (ICDRI) E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.icdri.org IGF - Hyderabad, India, 3-6 December 2008 14