Annan calls for drive on e-accessibility
News Article - Monday, December 4, 2006 11:47
Filed under: IT Support & Maintenance
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The United Nations is to focus on the need for improved accessibility to the internet, mobile devices and other information technologies by persons with disabilities.
As part of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities a panel of experts will today debate what challenges face the industry and how accessibility for all can be best achieved.
"Access to information and communication technologies creates opportunities for all people, perhaps none more so than persons with disabilities", said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
"As the development of the internet and ICT takes their needs more fully into account, the barriers of prejudice, infrastructure and inaccessible formats need no longer stand in the way of participation."
Experts to address the forum include Dr Betsy Zaborowski, executive director of the Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind; Simon Norris and Leonie Watson of Nomensa, authors of a report on global accessibility; and Judy Brewer, of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which sets the standards for web accessibility.
Mr Annan recently said: "Governments and the private sector have been recognising the economic and social benefits of making websites fully accessible and have been putting in place changes involving software and hardware alike."
This year's International Day of Disabled Persons takes place today and will focus on e-accessibility, allowing individuals and organisations around the world to take part in the drive to create an inclusive information society. |
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