The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) held in Doha, Qatar established a new Special Global Initiative on “Access to telecommunication services for people with disabilities”. The conference further requested the ITU Development Bureau (BDT) to support Member States in implementing ICT initiatives and activities for people with disabilities within its work programmes, in particular through Study Group-1, Question 20/1. Development of relevant policies, strategies and actions is thus crucial for success of this endeavor.

Given the need to provide telecommunication/ICT access on an all inclusive basis, and that only a few countries have so far developed policies and legal frameworks ensuring access solutions for people with disabilities, the ITU held one day seminar in Geneva. The main topics were:

1. Discuss how to bring about the necessary conditions for people with disabilities to enjoy the same opportunities in life as the rest of the population by creating a global awareness on the importance of accessibility to the Information and Communications

2. Share experiences with countries which have implemented policies, strategies and actions to eliminate obstacles in accessing telecommunication/ICT services faced by people with disabilities.

3. Invite partnership and support from ITU Member States and Sector Members to work with the BDT to jointly promote and achieve the integration of the People with Disabilities into the Information Society.

• Webcast of the meeting

• Final Report

• Documents

• Invitation Letter ( French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian)