Update: The Impact of the UNCRPD on the Internet Presented by Cynthia D. Waddell Executive Director, International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet Workshop 110: Global Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities

2 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Overview- Impact of UNCRPD UNCRPD Background & Monitoring Committee Equal Access to the Internet Freedom of Expression and Access to Information Accessible Web Implementation Best Practices and Resources Available

3 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 UNCRPD- Background Adopted by General Assembly 13 December 2006 Opened for Signature on 30 March 2007 with Highest Number of Signatories on Opening Day in History Entered into Legal Force on 3 May 2008

4 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 UNCRPD- Background Significant Provisions Address Information and Communications Technology Signatories to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities include the European Community and most recently the United States

5 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 UNCRPD- Background As of November 9, 2009: 143 signatories to Convention 87 signatories to Optional Protocol 72 ratifications of Convention 45 ratifications of Optional Protocol

6 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

7 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Monitoring Committee Housed in the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights Members elected by Conference of States Parties in January 2009 Beginning in 2010, MC will receive comprehensive Reports from States Parties on measures taken to meet Convention Obligations

8 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Monitoring Committee Two additional forms of monitoring are provided if States Parties have also ratified the Optional Protocol – Individual complaints can be submitted by an individual claiming breach of her rights under the Convention – Monitoring Committee is empowered to investigate gross or systematic violations of the Convention

9 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Equal Access to the Internet States Parties Shall Ensure Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities, on an Equal Basis with Others, by – Implementing Minimum Standards & Guidelines for Accessibility of Services Article 9(2a)

10 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Equal Access to the Internet ISO/IEC JTC1 Special Working Group on Accessibility, standards inventory at World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative

11 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Equal Access to the Internet Ensure that Private Entities offering services to the public take into account accessibility Article 9(2b) – Online Conferencing Systems- Captioning? Compatible with AT? – Webcasts, Teleconferencing & IPTV – Captioned/Audio Description? – VoIP- All Features Accessible?

12 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Equal Access to the Internet Promote access to new ICT and systems, including the Internet Article 9(2g) Promote accessible ICT at early stage in Design, Development, Production and Distribution to minimize cost Article 9(2h)

13 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Freedom of Expression and Opinion & Access to Information Right to seek, receive and impart information on an equal basis with others through all forms of communication Article 21 Ensure that Information intended for the public is provided in accessible formats & technologies in timely manner without additional cost Article 21a

14 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Freedom of Expression and Opinion & Access to Information Urge Private entities providing Internet services to the public to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats Article 21c Encourage mass media and providers of information through the Internet to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities Article 21d

15 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Accessible Web Implementation Statistical & Data Collection Collect Statistical & Research Data to Assess Convention Implementation & to Identify Barriers Data Itself to be Accessible Article 31

16 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Accessible Web Implementation International Cooperation Facilitate Research & Access to Scientific & Technical Knowledge; Provide Technical & Economic Assistance; Technology Transfer - Article 32

17 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Implementation 1 September 2009 Compilation of National Legislation Measures Undertaken for Implementation available at nts/COP/compilation_1september.pdf

18 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Best Practices for Government Mainstream Disability Issues for Sustainable Development Support Cross-Disability Stakeholder Engagement

19 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Best Practices in Procurement Canada-Accessible Procurement Toolkit at Ireland-Accessible IT Procurement Toolkit at accessit.nda.ie United States-Buy Accessible Wizard at

20 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Resources eAccessibility Policy Toolkit for Policy Makers Implementing the Convention Joint ITU/G3ict Project (Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs, an initiative of the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development)

21 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Resources Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance By Jim Thatcher, Cynthia Waddell Published by Apress 2006 ISBN: Published in Japanese 2007 ISBN:

22 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Resources Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention Available Free at

23 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November 2009 Resources Involving People with Disabilities in the Standardisation Process by Dr. John Gill, Chief Scientist Royal National Institute of Blind People Available Free at es_standardisation/index.htm

24 Internet Governance Forum Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt 15 – 18 November Contact Cynthia Waddell, Juris Doctor Executive Director and Law, Policy and Law, Policy & Technology Subject Matter Expert International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet