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ICT / digital accessibility

Digital accessibility enables digital inclusion and ensures inclusive communication for all people – regardless of their gender, age, ability or location.

To achieve digital accessibility, ICTs should be not only be available and affordable, but also accessible, which means designed to meet the needs and abilities of as many people as possible – including those with disabilities. Accessibility of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is key given that ICTs have become the primary medium for communications, information, transactions, education and entertainment worldwide. Its implementation by legislators and policy makers in all countries is essential to ensure that everyone’s right to communicate in the digital world is respected.

In the spotlight

Towards building inclusive
digital communities

ITU Toolkit a​nd Self-As​sesment​​​ for ICT Accessibility Implementation​​​​​ in PDF, Kindle​​ and other ePub formats

Also available with captioning in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish

 

Knowledge development
opportunities

Inclusive employment: How to ensure that online job applications and recruitment systems are accessible to all

Inclusive employment: How to ensure that online job applications and recruitment systems are accessible to all
 

Leave no one behind - Global commitment

ITU is dedicated to creating an inclusive digital world for everyone through its work in ICT accessibility

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava​​,
Director, Telecommunication ​Development Bureau​

 Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava​​,
ITU is fully committed to supporting our members’ efforts in implementing ICT accessibility policies and strategies around the world, so that everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or geographical location, is equally and equitably included in digital societies, economies and environments. In line with the Kigali Action Plan, in which ITU members recognized that available, affordable and accessible ICTs are powerful drivers for inclusive development, my vision as Director  is to ensure that we impact people’s lives through digital development by building a more inclusive, meaningful and connected world for all.
 

The imperative to Leave no one behind is just as relevant in the digital world

António Guterres,
Secretary-General, United Nations

 Antonio Guterras
To ensure that “no one is left behind” in the digital world, digital accessibility is recognised as a key priority in several global commitments related to inclusiveness such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Transforming the World 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and, more recently, the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
 

ICT accessibility - ITU mandate, resolutions and global commitments

 

Resources on ICT/digital accessibility

ITU-Accessibility Resources

ITU’s Development Sector (BDT) work in ICT accessibility supports the advancement of the global disability-inclusive agenda and the development of inclusive digital communities. It does this through raising awareness, building capacity, and providing policy and strategy advice to ITU members. BDT is also facilitating joint working platforms such as Study Groups and regional “Accessible– ICT for ALL” knowledge development forums enabling stakeholders to share good practices and engaging in national and regional digital accessibility implementation. The goal of ITU Member States is to guarantee that all their citizens can benefit from digital information, products and services equally and equitably. Therefore, BDT is supporting members’ efforts in mainstreaming digital accessibility to ensure full and effective participation of everyone in the digital economy and also by developing and making freely available the resources indicated below.

Additional guidelines and standards

Online self-paced training


Our online training courses are offered free of charge and are designed to be self-paced, allowing participants to learn at their convenience. Successful completion of the final knowledge assessment grants certification. To take the training course, you must first register with the ITU Academy if you do not yet have an account.
  • Smart for all: Beyond smart cities “Smart for all”, Towards building inclusive and digitally accessible environments and communities
    Available in : Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish
    Registration, Moodle
  • Web Accessibility: The cornerstone of Digital Society
    Available in : Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish
    Registration: , Moodle
  • ICT Accessibility: the key to inclusive communication
    Available in : Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish
    Registration, Moodle
  • How to ensure inclusive digital communication during crisis and emergency situations
    Available in : Arabic, English, French and Spanish
    Registration, Moodle
  • Inclusive employment: how to ensure that online job applications and recruitment systems are accessible to all
    Available in English
    Registration, Moodle
  • ITU-D Public Procurement of Accessible ICT Products and Services (online course upon demand)

Other training

  • ITU-D Video Tutorial on ICT/digital accessibility - The key to achieving a digitally inclusive world. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
  • ITU-D Video Tutorial on Beyond smart cities = "Smart for all": Towards building inclusive and digitally accessible environments and communities to meet the needs of present and future generations. Available in English; French and Spanish (see also online self-paced training available)
  • ITU-D Video Tutorial on "Towards building inclusive digital communities": ITU toolkit and self-assessment for ICT accessibility implementation. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
  • ITU-D Video Tutorial of ITU-D Study Group on Question 7/1 on inclusive connectivity. Available in English
  • ITU-D Video Tutorial on "How to ensure inclusive digital communication during crises and emergency situations". Available in English, French and Spanish ​(see also online self-paced training available)
  • ITU-D Video Tutorials on ​ITU-D Creation and remediat​ion of accessible digital contents​. Available in English, French and Spanish

Accessible Europe

Accessible Americas

Accessible Arab

Study Groups

WSIS Forums

​Other ITU working and networking platforms, meetings and events

​Other external meetings and events

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