G3ict is the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs

	Pauley Tedoff

Looking Back on a Successful Year!

G3ict Meetings and Outreach Activities in 2007

G3ict engaged more than 3,000 individuals this year with its various meetings and outreach activities around the world. Below is a brief overview of G3ict's activities since its inception in December, 2006.

• Kick-Off Meeting at the United Nations Headquarters
New York City, December 4, 2006

G3ict brought together 50 key participants for a brainstorming session to define what would become the principal goals of the Initiative, ultimately deciding on 4 key areas: Legislation & Regulations, Harmonization & Standardization, Core ICT Opportunities in the Private Sector, and Best Practices and Case Studies

• First G3ict Global Forum at the United Nations Headquarters
New York City, March 26, 2007

At its first global forum, G3ict brught together over 200 stakeholders from industry, government, and organizations for persons with disabilities to discuss key issues in assuring equal access to ICTs for persons with disabilties.

• Presentation at 2nd Annual Shafallah Center Forum on Children with Special Needs
Doha, Qatar, April 23-25, 2007

G3ict presented the Initiative at a conference hosted for over 300 educators and advocates of children with disabilities from around the world.

• New Horizons for Assistive Technologies Seminar, Co-hosted by the City of Chicago
Chicago, IL, May 23, 2007

G3ict worked with the City of Chicago to determine the functions of local government affected by accessibility, e-Government applications that are subject to accessibility enhancement, and good practices that support employees with disabilities with regards to ICT accessibility. The role of industry and service providers was also addressed. In the end, participants generated a and ranked a list of opportunities. 50 or so participants were present, including representatives from the City of Chicago, academia, and disability rights organizations. Since the meeting, the City of Chicago passed a resolution urging U.S. to sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

• Presentation at Rights of Disabled Persons in Russia and E-Accessibility Workshop
Moscow, Russia, June 16, 2007

G3ict presented its objectives at the World Bank in Moscow on the occassion of a national workshop on E-Accessibility co-hosted with the UN Information Center. 60 key stakeholders in the area of e-accessibility in Russia were present. Among other content generated at this workshop, Drs. Boris Kotsik and Natalia Tokareva from UNESCO co-authored an article in the recently published Accessibility Imperative.

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Its Implications for ICT Accessibility in Korea Seminar, Co-hosted by the Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion (KADO)
Seoul, Korea, June 27, 2007

This intimate roundtable discussion brought together key Korean participants from academia, government, and the private sector to discuss the status of ICT accessibility in Korea, addressing in particular: Current Legislation and Regulations, Assistive Technology and Distribution of Assistive Devices for People with Disabilities, Education of the Disabled, and Employment. Furthermore, the roundtable looked at the Korean Experience with regards to wireless communications devices, residential living / city planning accommodations, and IT education for persons with disabilities. During the two days leading up to the roundtable, G3ict presented the Initiative at the Wireless Internet Institute's Digital Cities Convention in Seoul where G3ict had a booth. Around two hundred participants were present at the Digital Cities Convention, while the roundtable had 30 or so individuals in attendance.

• Keynote Address at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Conference on Accessibility
Geneva, Switzerland, September 17, 2007

G3ict Executive Director, Axel Leblois, gave a keynote address to ITU's Group 16 in charge of accessibility and standardization on the importance of ICT-related mandates in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Leblois' presentation was received with overwhelming support and enthusiasm by the 200 or so members, so much so that the ITU has offered to host the second annual G3ict Global Forum in Geneva in April, 2008.

• Presentation at the Burton Blatt Institute Seminar on E-Accessibility
New York, September 25, 2007

G3ict Executive Director, Axel Leblois, presenting G3ict at a high-level discussion on e-Accessibility between thought leaders in the field of technology and the rights of persons with disabilities. The seminar was a good opportunity for G3ict to further explore with the Burton Blatt Institute participants the implications of the Convention for Information and Communication Technologies. It was also an important venue, which demonstrates the commitment and leadership of Syracuse University in matters of disability. The seminar aimed to provide a forum in which to share perspectives and exchange experiences regarding eAccessibility. The seminar was attended by disability NGOs and DPOs, technology policy experts, disability rights activists, academics, and government policy makers.

• G3ict Panel on Employability of Youth with Disabilities, GAID Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development
Geneva, Switzerland, September 24-25, 2007

G3ict's panel at the GAID Global Forum on Youth and ICT for Development was one of several concurrent panels offered to the 500+ attendees of the forum. In addition to providing an overview of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Article 9 covering ICTs, likely legislative agendas around the world, and G3ict's mission, this panel aimed to identify challenges and opportunities for the employment of youth with disabilities and the role of accessible and assistive ICTs - presented by educators, employers, NGOs, and public sector representatives. The panel ended with the sharing of best practices and pioneering solutions in the workplace by young professionals living with disabilities.

• Special G3ict Sessions Addressing UK Legislation and Market Drivers and for Inclusive ICTs, Techshare 2007
London England, October 4-6, 2007

G3ict organized two special sessions open to the 150 participants of Techshare 2007. The first session addressed the the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Article 9, existing UK laws and regulations regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and the role of ICTs, and private sector involvement in the UK. The second session addressed market drivers and best practices of inclusive ICTs, focusing on economic and social drivers of accessible and assistive ICT, such as employment, education, communications, consumer interfaces, and public sector procurement. Furthermore, participants discussed private sector involvement in the UK.

• Overcoming Disability: Advanced ICT Solutions for Adult Life, Politecnico di Milano
Milan, Italy. October 12, 2007

G3ict in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy co-organized a meeting on advanced ICT solutions for adult life. Highlights of the meeting included a discussion of advanced ICT strategies and Italian best practices with representatives from government, NGOs, media, private sector, and academia and focused breakout sessions on 1) innovative ICT for employment 2) wireless environments, and multimedia contexts for adult life with a focus on sensorial compromised situations, and personalization and 3) cooperative strategies for adult life with a focus on cognitively compromised situations. 150 representatives from government, NGOs, and the private sector participated. Participants came from throughout Italy, as well as from several other countries.

• Publication of G3ict's first book: The Accessibility Imperative
December, 2007

The Accessibility Imperative is the first attempt made to present in one comprehensive volume the challenges and opportunities of implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in matters of accessibility to Information and Communications Technologies. The Convention at large - and more specifically its Article 9 - creates the first universal framework specifically addressing these issues which affect over 600,000,000 persons living with disabilities worldwide. The book was developed based upon the proceedings of the first Global Forum of the G3ict held at the United Nations headquarters in New-York on March 26, 2007. It presents the perspective of multiple stakeholders from all regions of the world and from a variety of backgrounds: industry, policy makers, international institutions, academia, and non-governmental organizations representing persons living with disabilities. Additional editorial content was contributed to G3ict and included in this first edition from meetings held in Russia, Korea, and the United States during the spring of 2007.

• Keynote Address at the European Commission Disability Day Symposium
Brussels, Belgium, December 5-6, 2007

G3ict presented the blueprint of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for ICT accessibility. Delegations from all 27 European Union member states participated in this highly productive meeting, during which case studies and the progress made by European Union members states to align their local policies in support of persons with disabilities were discussed. G3ict emphasized during the Q & A session the benefits of a mandatory pan-European Public Procurement policy promoting accessible ICT products and solutions. The European Commission included in its official 2008-2009 action plan its participation in G3ict in support of international cooperations to promote the accessibility of ICTs. 300 participants were in attendance.

• The Role of Local Government in Establishing Accessible Wireless Emergency Services
Washington, D.C., December 11, 2007

This roundtable brought together key technology policy representatives and advocates for persons with disabilities in Washington, D.C., as well as those leading the way for accessible emergency services in the public sector. The high-level participants engaged in a heated discussion, addressing topics such as digital radio, datacasting, integrating multi-modal emergency warning systems, and leveraging mobile cellular wireless networks. The second half of the roundtable focused on new mandates for local government and defining a roadmap for implementation. The roundtable was open to all of the 200 delegates attending the Wireless Internet Institute's Digital Cities Convention and Digital Inclusion Forum.

• 4th China Information Accessibility Forum
Chongqing, China, December 17-18, 2007

The 4th China Information Accessibility Forum was an extraordinary demonstration of the commitment of the Chinese Central and Local Governments to advance the cause of persons living with disabilities. The Forum was an excellent opportunity for G3ict to meet the leaders of the main Chinese Disability Organizations and representatives from Industry and the Public Sector in China. With many innovative experiments, a booming and highly competitive ICT industry, a strong support from all segments of society for greater accessibility of services, and the largest population of disabled persons in the world, China is poised to become an active actor and provider of innovative and affordable assistive technologies. 300 participants were in attendance.