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ICTs for Persons living with Disabilities

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UNESCO promotes the concept of Knowledge Societies which are inclusive, pluralistic, equitable, open and participatory. 

Today, at least 15 per cent of the world population is living with disabilities. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have the potential for making significant improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, allowing them to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities available to them.

Mobilizing partners for the support of the Programme on providing access to information and knowledge using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the persons with disabilities will allow UNESCO to:

  • Develop innovative solutions for fighting social exclusion, discrimination and poverty though the application of innovative ICTs and through Open Solutions
  • Build capacities of information, media, education and ICT professionals on design and application of inclusive technologies, accessible content and services.
  • Mobilize partners for global awareness campaigns on disability rights
  • Design appropriate policy frameworks and tools for integration of inclusive ICTs.
  • Contribute to UN efforts on the implementation on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

UNESCO is also committed to the implementation of the Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which includes two important areas for persons with disabilities, namely access to information and knowledge and capacity building. In the framework of these concepts and in line with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNESCO advocates the rights and needs of persons with disabilities and fosters the effective use of ICTs that are accessible, adaptive and affordable.