UNESCO/Emir Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Founders
UNESCO Secretariat
Within the context of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities, UNESCO recognizes the need to:
- prepare national policies and strongly encourage local governments to introduce specific legislation to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities;
- define governments’ aspirations regarding services for persons with disabilities, including equal access to information and knowledge, education and the use of ICTs;
- develop national standards for public goods in terms of products and services, such as accessibility guidelines, recommendations, curricula and other mechanisms to ensure that these standards are maintained;
- build the capacity of professional communities and persons with disabilities to provide access to information and knowledge, including hard- and software developers and teachers;
- adapt and personalize ICTs to the nature of specific disabilities, particularly for learning and teaching purposes;
- enhance social and economic integration through improved access to information and knowledge;
- collect statistical data and carry out research.
In order to promote a better understanding of issues related to disability and mobilize support for the recognition of the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities, and of the benefits of their integration in society, UNESCO has undertaken an action plan centred around five themes:
- Research and evidence-based data collection;
- Development of policies and strategies on inclusion of persons with disabilities;
- Building an enabling environment;
- International advocacy, cooperation and partnerships;
- Development of appropriate tools for inclusion;
- Capacity building.
To learn more about UNESCO’s work on empowerment of persons with disabilities to access information and knowledge using ICTs, please visit:
UNESCO Permanent Delegation of the State of Kuwait to UNESCO
