Benchmarking Digital Accessibility: A New Frontier for Human Rights Advocacy
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Briefing Session for the Launching of the
Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Index for Persons with Disabilities
Institute of International Business at
Georgia State University
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G3ict "ICT Accessibility Self-Assessment Framework"
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The G3ict Self-Assessment Framework is the first comprehensive tool made available to policy makers to evaluate their country’s compliance with the many dispositions of the Convention in matters of ICT accessibility. Developed by the G3ict Research Committee, it is designed to facilitate consensus building among governments and multiple stakeholders seeking to identify priorities at national level.
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Presentation on the Convention's New Agenda for Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technologies
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Compiled by G3ict, this presentation was given at CSUN 24th Annual International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, held in Los Angeles (March 16-21, 2009).
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A Case Study of One of the Most Successful Programs Designed by a Higher Education Institution to Promote Employability among Students Living with Disability
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Written by Professor Licia Sbattella, President's Delegate for Disabilities at Politecnico di Milano, Italy, this case study will be presented at the 4th Shafallah International Forum on Children with Special Needs: Achieving Independence, Doha, Qatar, April 20-22.
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The Accessibility Imperative
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"The Accessibility Imperative" is the first attempt made to present in one comprehensive volume the challenges and opportunities of implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in matters of accessibility to Information and Communication 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. This book was developed based upon the proceedings of the first Global Forum of the G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs, 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. With 129 countries having signed the Convention as of May 2008, the scope of legislative and regulatory work which will take place over the next few years in matters of ICT accessibility is considerable. This first edition will be the first reference made available to policy makers and their many constituents to facilitate the process of identifying the best path towards effective implementation of the Convention.
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The Accessibility Imperative: DAISY Format
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The downloadable file is an audio version of "The Accessible Imperative", which conforms to DAISY/NISO standards (Digital Talking Book). This edition is accessible to visually-impaired or otherwise print-disabled persons.
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EU - Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion, by the European Community, of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted on 13 December 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly. On the basis of negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 24 May 2004, the Commission conducted the negotiation of the Convention on behalf of the European Community. The Council Decision dated 27 March 2007 (ST07404/07) authorised the Community to sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Commission signed the Convention on 30 March 2007. On 3 May 2008, the Convention and its Optional Protocol entered into force. Since the Optional Protocol has not yet been signed, its accession should be proposed. Two proposals, one for concluding the Convention, the other for acceding to the Optional Protocol, are therefore required.
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EU - Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Conclusion, by the European Community, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted on 13 December 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly. On the basis of negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 24 May 2004, the Commission conducted the negotiation of the Convention on behalf of the European Community. The Council Decision authorised the Community to conclude the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On 3 May 2008, the Convention and its Optional Protocol entered into force. Since the Optional Protocol has not yet been signed, its accession should be proposed.
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G3ict-ITU Toolkit for Policy Makers on e-Accessibility & Service Needs for Persons with Disabilities - Table of Contents
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Designed to provide a comprehensive on line resource for all stakeholders involved in implementing the digital accessibility agenda of the Convention, the G3ict ITU Toolkit is making good progress towards completion by the end of March 2009. The Toolkit was announced jointly by G3ict and ITU on April 21, 2008. The complete table of contents of the Toolkit can be downloaded here.
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G3ict-ITU Toolkit for Policy Makers - Goals and Objectives
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ITU-D and G3ict announced at their joint Global Forum (Geneva, April 21, 2008) that they would collaborate in the development of an on-line toolkit for policy makers on e-accessibility.
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Presentation on Assistive Technologies: Leveraging ICTs for Persons with Disabilities, Challenges and Opportunities
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Compiled by G3ict , this presentation was given at the ITU Regional Workshop on "ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities," held in Lusaka, Zambia (July 15-16, 2008)
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Meeting Information and Communications Technologies Access and Service Needs for Persons with Disabilities
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Written by Cynthia D. Waddell, Juris Doctor (ICT Expert for Persons with Disabilities, International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet), the background paper was originally prepared for the seminar "Sharing Experience on Best Practices and Services for People with Disabilities," held on 17 September 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland. This paper has been updated and includes the addition of the Arab Region based on presentations at the first Arab Regional Conference on Sharing Experience on Best Practices in ICT Services for Persons with Disabilities held in Cairo, Egypt, 13-15 November 2007. It was presented at the ITU Regional Workshop on "ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in the African Region" held in Lusaka, Zambia (July 15-16, 2008).
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"See it right" publication for Clear Print - RNIB
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Guidelines for Editing for Low Vision Readers - Some guidance regarding styles for leaflet from the "See it right" publication for Clear Print from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - not a standard,but research-based.
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EU - Proposal for a Council Directive on Implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment
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The aim of this proposal is to implement the principle of equal treatment between persons
irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation outside the labour
market. It sets out a framework for the prohibition of discrimination on these grounds and
establishes a uniform minimum level of protection within the European Union for people who
have suffered such discrimination.
This proposal supplements the existing EC legal framework under which the prohibition of
discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation applies
only to employment, occupation and vocational training.
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EU - Total Conversation and Emergency Call 112
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EU press release and packet regarding the EU announcement of stepped up efforts to use a single emergency phone number to call for assistance – 112 and implementing a pilot service, “Total Conversation”, making the 112 number accessible to all across Europe.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, October 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this October 2008 issue focuses on a key piece of legislation, the Broadband Data Improvement Act that was signed into law this past month. The Act seeks to improve broadband deployment throughout the nation, especially in underserved areas by advancing federal data collection efforts to inform subsequent legislation and regulatory rulemakings. In addition, the law has the aim of enhancing economic development, furthering public safety in communities, improving health care and educational opportunities, and providing a better quality of life for all Americans through more comprehensive deployment of broadband services.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, September 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this September 2008 issue focuses on legislative activity addressing emerging technologies and accessibility by persons with disabilities.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, July/August 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this July/August 2008 issue focuses on legislative activity addressing emerging technologies and accessibility by persons with disabilities.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, June 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this June 2008 issue focuses on The House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management hearing discussing the introduction of proposed legislation entitled \"Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008\" and the passing of the \"New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008\" that includes a directive to improve access to 911 and enhanced 911 services for people with disabilities.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, May 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this May 2008 issue focuses on The House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet hearing discussing the draft legislation "Enhancing Access to Broadband Technology and Services for Persons with Disabilities."
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, April 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this April 2008 issue focuses on how reducing wireless accessibility barriers has been a recurring theme in recent legislation in the U.S. Congress.
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Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, March 2008
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Published monthly by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), this March 2008 issue focuses on regulators at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and how the Commission raised a total of $19.592 billion in its auction of 700MHz airwaves that concluded March 19, 2008.
Read below for more information on RERC Efforts in the AT&T Press Release:
RERC Efforts Acknowledged in AT&T Press Release
03.13.2008 - In an effort to encourage application developers and handset manufacturers to consider the needs of seniors or customers who have disabilities when designing products and services, AT&T Inc. announced through a press release that the company's approach to Universal Design will be made publicly available for the first time. AT&T embraces the concept of Universal Design and has urged its handset and software partners to consider this methodology as they develop wireless products and applications. AT&T's recently launched Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier applications are examples of accessible products and services that result from innovative collaboration and design.
In creating its Universal Design methodology, AT&T consulted with many leading experts, such as the Wireless RERC. By making AT&T's Universal Design methodology available on its website, the company is hoping all developers of wireless products and applications will consider how future designs can create accessible products, like Mobile Magnifier and Mobile Speak. "Integration of Universal Design into business practice is fundamental to our mission of equitable access to wireless technologies for people of all ages and abilities," said Jim Mueller, project director, User-Centered Research, Wireless RERC. "We're glad that AT&T shares our commitment and is making its Universal Design methodology publicly available."
AT&T's document on Universal Design
[http://developer.att.com/universaldesign].
AT&T's resources for people with disabilities [http://www.wireless.att.com/about/disability-resources/disability-resources.jsp]
[Source: AT&T]
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Finding the Gaps: A Comparative Analysis of Disability Laws in the United States to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
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"Finding the Gaps: A Comparative Analysis of Disability Laws in the United States to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" was written by John Vaughn, the Chairperson of the National Council on Disability. The purpose of this paper is to help the NCD, and others, better understand how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, if ratified by the United States, might impact U.S. disability laws by examining the degree to which U.S. law is consistent with the CRPD. The paper endeavors to analyze the issue in the way a treaty monitoring body would - to see if any area within federal law contravenes the Convention and/or whether there are gaps where legislation or practice might be introduced or reformed to ensure compliance.
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Making a Difference: A Quarterly Magazine of the Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
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This Spring 2008 issue of "Making a Difference" features a wide range of articles including one about the 10th Annual Disability Day where over 2,000 people came to hear Ambassador Luis Gallegos, G3ict Chair, speak on the steps of the Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. Also featured towards the end of the publication is "Creating an Accessible World with the United Nations Convention," an article written by G3ict Executive Director Axel Leblois.
To read about the 10th Annual Disability Day with Ambassador Gallegos, please turn to page 12-15.
To read Axel Leblois' article on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, please turn to page 24.
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Summary of the Discussion Draft of the “21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act”
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Summary of the discussion draft of the bill entitled "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act", which aims to establish new safeguards for disability access to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind as technology changes and the United States migrates to the next generation of Internet-based and digital communication technologies.
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U.S. 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Discussion Draft
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The discussion draft of the bill entitled "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act" aims to establish new safeguards for disability access to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind as technology changes and the United States migrates to the next generation of Internet-based and digital communication technologies.
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Clas Thoren's Response to Professor Hajime Yamada’s Paper on ICT Accessibility Standardization and Its Use in Policy Measures
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Clas Thoren, Development Strategist at Verva, the Swedish Administrative Development Agency, offers a response to Professor Hajime Yamada's white paper on "ICT Accessibility Standardization and Its Use in Policy Measures".
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European Commission's First Communication on the European e-Inclusion Initiative
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European Commission's first communication on its European e-Inclusion Initiative.
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ICT Accessibility Standardization and Its Use in Policy Measures
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Professor Hajime Yamada of Toyo University explores the issue of third party versus self-certification of ICT accessibility standards.
Read Clas Thoren's, Development Strategist at Verva, the Swedish Administrative Development Agency, response to Professor Hajime Yamada's white paper on "ICT Accessibility Standardization and Its Use in Policy Measures".
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Suppliers Declaration and ICT Accessibility
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Explains the new European Council's new conformity assessment system of "Supplier's Declaration of Conformity" (SDoC). Discusses the role of SDoC in eAccessibility and the benefits of Internal Accessibility Training to allow manufacturers to monitor their own accessibility standards.
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