”Select ALL” e-Accessibility Assessment Report for South Eastern Europe
Foreword Access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. The new millennium has already witnessed the accelerated diffusion of mobile technologies across the world, including most if not all developing countries. Millions of new ICT users are now joining the global network and have, perhaps for the first time in their lives, a chance to participate in both governance and decision-making processes. This is particularly true for today’s youth who use digital networks to learn, share and take action on issues and matters that directly concern them. Equally the potential offered by new technologies to persons with disabilities is now more evident than ever. However, access to the typical structures of daily life – education and work, the use of public spaces and socializing, for example – remain largely the domain of the able-bodied. New ICTs therefore offer valuable opportunities to persons with disabilities and become a critical catalyst for helping them to overcome their exclusion and redress existing imbalances. With the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the focus on the issue has now taken a firm human rights perspective. The fact that Article Nine of the Convention explicitly mentions access to ICTs is a strong endorsement in itself. It also clearly establishes that accessible ICTs are no longer charitable offerings but are an accepted fundamental right as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNDP is committed to supporting the implementation of both the UNCRPD and the Action Plan of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The latter also promotes the development of technologies, applications, and online content specifically suited to the needs of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, policies and programmes are being designed and implemented globally which support the efforts of those committed to providing accessible ICT-based products and services and to ensuring equal access.
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