1. ITU Workshop on Accessibility/Atelier UIT sur l’accessibilité Bamako, Mali 13 – 15 October 2009
WTSA-08: the input by the African Region and the relationship between contributions submitted, the relevant outcomes and their implementation in the region
Dr. Alexandra Gaspari
Accessibility Coordinator ITU-T/TSB
International Telecommunication Union
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

2. ITU – Who we are
The UN agency for Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs)
Membership of 197 governments and over 700 private sector entities
Three main areas
Radiocommunication
Standardization
Development
Mission is to connect the world
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

3. ITU – What we do
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues (ICTs)
ITU is the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services.
ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate:
From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies
from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology
from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks
ITU has three main sectors of activity: Radio-communications, Standardization, and Development. For more than 140 years, ITU has coordinated shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that assure seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

4. ITU goal
Emphasize benefits of fixed wireless access in remote and sparsely-populated regions
Adopt a cooperative approach
Maximize the degree of commonality and harmonization
Facilitate interworking
Promote competition
Any new technology or standard – like the accessibility features - needs to be interoperable, and to be able to interface and work with other technologies
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

5. ITU Structure ITU-T Plenipotentiary Conference ITU Council ITU-R ITU-D
World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly
ITU-R
World Radiocommunication Conference
Radiocommunication Assembly
ITU-D
World Telecommunication Development Conference
General
Secretariat
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services.
ITU has three main sectors of activity: Radio-communications, Standardization, and Development. For more than 140 years, ITU has coordinated shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that assure seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.
From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate.
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

6. Key Areas of work of ITU Bridging the digital divide
Stewardship of the radio spectrum
Adopting international standards to ensure seamless global communications and interoperability
Building confidence and security in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Use of ICTs to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change
Emergency communications
Accessibility
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

7. ITU-T Structure Q Q Workshops, Seminars, Symposia… WTSA Focus Groups
World Telecommunication
Standardization Assembly
Telecommunication Standardization
Advisory Group
Focus Groups
IPR ad hoc SG
Study Group SG
Working Party WP WP WP
Focus Group Q Q
Questions: Develop Recommendations Q Q
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009 7

8. WTSA-08 Resolutions 49 Resolutions approved 21 are new Resolutions
Resolutions taking into consideration the needs of developing countries
Standardization gap: 17, 44, 56, 59, 72
Internet: 64, 69
Conformance and interoperability testing: 76
Other: 26, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 43, (50), 52, 53, 54, 58, 61, 63, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

9. WTSA-08 Resolutions: Organization and Working Methods
… and Series-A
Recommendations
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

10. WTSA-08 Resolutions Strategies and Cooperation
16 Resolutions concerning strategies and cooperation: 7,11,17,33,34,44, 54,55,58,59,62,69,71,74, 75
, …
They call the attention of developed countries about the need to help and assist developing countries BUT also the attention of developing countries to put in place structures able to better contribute…..
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

11. WTSA-08 Resolutions Technical issues
15 Resolutions for operational and technical issued:
20,29,47,48,49,50,52,60,61,63,64,65,70, 72,73,et 76
Study Groups activities to produce Recommendations,, handbooks, supplements…
Hot topics:
cybersecurity
NGN
Climate change
Accessibility
Home Networking
Future Networks
ITU Conformity Mark
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

12. Accessibility in the milestone of ITU-T: Resolution 70
In 2008, the World Standardization Telecommunication Assembly (WTSA-08) built on the momentum for mainstreaming accessibility and addressed
the need for advancement on standards for accessibility and
the need to include persons with disabilities in the standards making process
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

13. What Resolution 70 says 2/2
This milestone text is the Resolution 70 “Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities”
Among the main points, the Resolution invites the Director of the Standardization Bureau to (…):
to work collaboratively and cooperatively with other standardization organizations and entities, in the field of accessibility
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

14. What Resolution 70 says 2/2
to work collaboratively and cooperatively with disability organizations in all regions to ensure that the needs of the disabled community are taken into account in all standardization matters
to consider the development of an internship programme for people with disabilities who have expertise in the field of ICTs, to build capacity amongst people with disabilities in the standards-making process
to create a disability coordination point within ITU-T to assist the Director of TSB in reporting the findings of the review of ITU-T services and facilities.
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

15. Actions from Resolutions
Actions for Member States
Actions for Sector Members & Associate
Actions for the TSB Director
Actions for the Study Group
Considerations by the Council-09
Cooperation with other ITU Sectors (Radio, Development and General Secretariat)
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

16. Fellowships now available for all ITU-T study group meetings
Implementation TSB
TSB developing an Action Plan for implementation of all WTSA-08 Resolutions
Increased number of study group / regional groups meetings in the regions planned
TSB plans workshops on implementation of WTSA-08 actions in regions with assistance of or coordination with of BDT and Regional Offices
Fellowships now available for all ITU-T study group meetings
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

17. Rational utilization of technologies
Expected benefits
Rational utilization of technologies
Motivation of universities and R&D institutions
Effectiveness of Information
Facilitation for strategic choices
Contribution to share knowledge
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

18. Critical Factors for success
Go towards expertise and not wait for it, capacity building
Political decisions to implement Resolutions
Motivation and formation of youngsters
Contribution proportional to the available resources to ITU-T activities
Be the Actor and not the Spectator of the future of ICTs !
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

19. WTSA-08 Action Plan Who, What, When
TSAG-TD 18 informs on TSB Director detailed
actions to implement all 49 Resolutions
Action:
General Secretariat, TSB, MS, SM, Study Groups, TSAG
Cooperation with:
General Secretariat, BDT, BR
Reporting to:
Annually to the Council
To Council-09 and -10
To WTSA-12
To TSAG
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

20. Among other resolutions:
Reporting to Council-09
Among other resolutions:
Resolution 56 - Roles of TSAG and ITU-T study group vice-chairmen from developing countries
Resolutions 71 & Admission of academia, universities and their associated research establishments, Sector Members from developing countries to participate in the work of ITU-T
Resolution 70 -”Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities”
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

21. WTSA-08 Action Plan (TD 18/TSAG)
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

22. Where are you in this picture?
Commitment
WTSA
Mgmt &
Contributions
SG, TSAG Chairs
SG/TSAG VChair
WP Ch
HIGH
Rapp
Editor
MEDIUM
Recs
Implem
SG/TSAG Contr
WS, FG
Particip
SG, GSI
Particip
Read Recs
LOW
Strategic role
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

23. Conclusions Collaboration is welcome to assist the
The results of WTSA put ITU in excellent shape to tackle the challenges ahead.
TSB has immediately put in place many mechanisms to progress the implementation of WTSA-08 Resolutions. Many of them requiring close cooperation with BDT.
Particular attention is given to those actions relevant to the needs of developing countries.
Collaboration is welcome to assist the
Director of TSB, Mr. Malcolm Johnson, here present with us in Bamako today,
in the effort to address your priorities in
the evolving ICT environment.
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009

24. Thank you for your attention! Questions?
Tel:
ITU Workshop on Accessibility Bamako, Mali, 13 – 15 October 2009