To: ungawsisreview@un.org
Dear Deniz, Eleonora and the two Co-Facilitators,
We could not attend the virtual stakeholder consultation yesterday as we had clashes, but wanted to share our comments with all of you. The comment below was authored by Dr. Shabbir, my fellow Coordinator.
DCAD proposes the following revisions to the WSIS+20 outcome document, Rev-1. These changes are proposed with an aim of ensuring the rights, leadership, and lived experience of persons with disabilities are embedded across implementation, measurement, and governance. The proposed changes include:
1. Paragraph 22
Original:
“We call for concerted action by all stakeholders to promote accessibility and equal access to the Internet and digital resources as a priority, including through the availability of accessible and assistive technologies.”
Proposed revision:
“We call for concerted action by all stakeholders to promote accessibility and equal access to the Internet and digital resources as a priority, including through the adoption and enforcement of international accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) or any such recognized international standards, and the mandatory procurement and integration of assistive technologies across all public digital platforms and ICT initiatives.”
2. Paragraph 114
Original:
“We are committed to the further development and strengthening of internationally agreed targets, indicators and metrics for universal meaningful and affordable connectivity and digital development.”
Proposed revision (new clause added at the end):
“We are committed to the further development and strengthening of internationally agreed targets, indicators and metrics for universal meaningful and affordable connectivity and digital development, including the systematic collection and reporting of disability-disaggregated data on digital access, usage, accessibility, and affordability, in line with CRPD obligations.”
3. Paragraph 88
Original:
“Measures are needed to ensure more effective participation by stakeholders from developing countries and underrepresented groups…”
Proposed revision:
“Measures are needed to ensure more effective participation by stakeholders from developing countries and underrepresented groups, including persons with disabilities, particularly those with lived experience, not only as beneficiaries but as equal contributors and leaders in Internet governance and standard-setting bodies.”
4. Paragraph 39
Original:
“We recognise that ICTs have helped governments and other stakeholders to address risks associated with natural disasters and facilitated humanitarian assistance at times of crisis through more consistent and remote monitoring of environmental and other hazards, enhancing and developing early warning systems and improving preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.”
Proposed revision:
“We recognise that ICTs have helped governments and other stakeholders to address risks associated with natural disasters and facilitated humanitarian assistance at times of crisis through more consistent and remote monitoring of environmental and other hazards, enhancing and developing early‑warning systems and improving preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. We further commit to ensuring that such systems and interventions are also accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities; and that early warning communications, evacuation processes, recovery tools and digital information channels adhere to accessibility standards and assistive technology compatibility.”
5. Paragraph 27
Original:
“We reiterate the need for the development of local content and services in a variety of languages and formats that are accessible to all people…”
Proposed revision:
“We reiterate the need for the development of local content and services in a variety of languages and formats that are accessible to all people, and ensure that these are delivered in formats compatible with accessible technologies (e.g., screen readers, captions, sign language, simplified language) to also meet the needs of persons with disabilities.”
Specific Additions
6. Add to paragraph 12 (vulnerable groups):
“…persons with disabilities, with attention to the leadership of people with lived experience…”
7. Add to paragraph 17 (digital public infrastructure):
“…inclusive and interoperable digital public infrastructure that adheres to international accessibility standards by default…”
8. Add to paragraph 57 (capacity building):
“…to build expertise in technical aspects of digitalisation, with special programs co-designed with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)…”
9. Addition of new sentence at end of paragraph 88 (Internet Governance):
“Particular attention should also be given to ensuring the participation and leadership of persons with disabilities, including through appointment to decision-making roles within Internet governance structures at global, regional, and national levels.”
10. Addition of new sentence in paragraph 58 (Digital Skills & Learning) — suggested insert after first sentence:
“Special efforts should be made to co-design and deliver digital capacity building and leadership development programs for persons with disabilities, ensuring that their lived experience informs policymaking, especially in emerging areas like AI, cybersecurity, and data governance.”
11. Addition of new sentence at end of paragraph 84 (AI Capacity Building):
“This should include the participation of persons with disabilities, both as beneficiaries and contributors, and establish leadership pathways for experts with lived experience of disability to shape inclusive and ethical AI governance frameworks.”
Thanks for allowing us to share these remarks.
Best,
Judith Hellerstein and Dr. Muhammad Shabbir
DCAD Coordinators