Date: 03/12/2004
Source: Ministry of Communications
Title: Matsepe-Casaburri: Integrating Disability in the ICT project launch
Statement by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri at the launch of the project: Integrating Disability in the ICT Value Chain/Industry
Background
On the 3rd September, this year I announced the preparations for the national Summit on Disability, which forms part of the planning process for the World Summit on Information Society. This is informed by the Action Plan adopted in the last meeting in Geneva. Accordingly, the WSIS reiterate the needs for inclusive ICT’s which take into account the needs of all sectors including women, the disabled and children. A series of consultative meetings have taken place as part of the broader planning process for the national conference on Disability, which is scheduled to take place next year as build up to the WSIS in Tunisia in November 2005.
International Day of the Disabled 3rd December 2004
In recognition and reaffirming our commitment to an inclusive ICT environment, we have therefore resolved to announce the launch of this initiative during this time, when our country is busy with the celebrations of the 16 Days of Activism which coincides with International Day of the Disabled, in response to the United Nations proclamation of the 3rd December as the International Day for Disabled.
It is our firm belief that people with Disabilities continue to experience a number of barriers and exclusions in their daily lives and some of these relate to barriers in accessing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s).
Developments in the ICT sector since 1994 have shifted our attention to the need for the creation of an inclusive ICT environment which takes into account the specific access needs of people with disabilities in the design and production of ICT’s. In accordance with the principles of the World Summit on Information Society adopted on December 2003, on Building of an Information Society, the need for the integration of the needs of people with disabilities and the removal of all barriers to accessing ICTs have become a priority. The government as a member and signatory of the Millennium Declaration has committed the country to the implementation of the Action Plans emanating from the Declaration. This is further in line with the principles of the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) (1997), which recognises the importance and need for integration of disability in the design and provision of services. The launch of this project will further give impetus and raise awareness by role players in the ICT industry and other sectors about ICT’s access barriers and challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Information and communication infrastructure: as essential foundation for the information society
From the WSIS Action Plan Document, it has been stipulated that, Infrastructure is central in achieving the goal of digital inclusion, enabling universal, sustainable, ubiquitous and affordable access to ICTs by all, taking into consideration relevant solutions already in place in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to provide sustainable connectivity and access to remote and marginalized areas at national and regional areas.
Accordingly, in the context of national e-strategies, the country should address the special requirements of amongst others: persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including by appropriate educational administrative and legislative measures to ensure their full inclusion in the Information Society.
Encourage design and production of ICT equipment and services so that everyone has easy and affordable access to them including amongst others: persons with disabilities and promote the development of technologies, applications, and content suited to their needs, guided by the Universal Design Principle and further enhanced by the use assistive technologies. We have approached the planning process and guided by amongst others, the INDS and bearing in mind the Disability Sector slogan which has also been the theme for this year’s celebrations: NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US. In this regard, we are fully aware and committed to making sure that Disabled people will not only be consulted, the process will include them as full participants. This is further in line with the spirit of our Constitution, which outlaws all forms of discrimination including on the bases of Disability.
For more Information contact:
Donovan Cloete
Cell: 083 417 6106
Issued by: Ministry of Communications
3 December 2004
Source: Ministry of Communications
Title: Matsepe-Casaburri: Integrating Disability in the ICT project launch
Statement by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri at the launch of the project: Integrating Disability in the ICT Value Chain/Industry
Background
On the 3rd September, this year I announced the preparations for the national Summit on Disability, which forms part of the planning process for the World Summit on Information Society. This is informed by the Action Plan adopted in the last meeting in Geneva. Accordingly, the WSIS reiterate the needs for inclusive ICT’s which take into account the needs of all sectors including women, the disabled and children. A series of consultative meetings have taken place as part of the broader planning process for the national conference on Disability, which is scheduled to take place next year as build up to the WSIS in Tunisia in November 2005.
International Day of the Disabled 3rd December 2004
In recognition and reaffirming our commitment to an inclusive ICT environment, we have therefore resolved to announce the launch of this initiative during this time, when our country is busy with the celebrations of the 16 Days of Activism which coincides with International Day of the Disabled, in response to the United Nations proclamation of the 3rd December as the International Day for Disabled.
It is our firm belief that people with Disabilities continue to experience a number of barriers and exclusions in their daily lives and some of these relate to barriers in accessing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s).
Developments in the ICT sector since 1994 have shifted our attention to the need for the creation of an inclusive ICT environment which takes into account the specific access needs of people with disabilities in the design and production of ICT’s. In accordance with the principles of the World Summit on Information Society adopted on December 2003, on Building of an Information Society, the need for the integration of the needs of people with disabilities and the removal of all barriers to accessing ICTs have become a priority. The government as a member and signatory of the Millennium Declaration has committed the country to the implementation of the Action Plans emanating from the Declaration. This is further in line with the principles of the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) (1997), which recognises the importance and need for integration of disability in the design and provision of services. The launch of this project will further give impetus and raise awareness by role players in the ICT industry and other sectors about ICT’s access barriers and challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Information and communication infrastructure: as essential foundation for the information society
From the WSIS Action Plan Document, it has been stipulated that, Infrastructure is central in achieving the goal of digital inclusion, enabling universal, sustainable, ubiquitous and affordable access to ICTs by all, taking into consideration relevant solutions already in place in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to provide sustainable connectivity and access to remote and marginalized areas at national and regional areas.
Accordingly, in the context of national e-strategies, the country should address the special requirements of amongst others: persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including by appropriate educational administrative and legislative measures to ensure their full inclusion in the Information Society.
Encourage design and production of ICT equipment and services so that everyone has easy and affordable access to them including amongst others: persons with disabilities and promote the development of technologies, applications, and content suited to their needs, guided by the Universal Design Principle and further enhanced by the use assistive technologies. We have approached the planning process and guided by amongst others, the INDS and bearing in mind the Disability Sector slogan which has also been the theme for this year’s celebrations: NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US. In this regard, we are fully aware and committed to making sure that Disabled people will not only be consulted, the process will include them as full participants. This is further in line with the spirit of our Constitution, which outlaws all forms of discrimination including on the bases of Disability.
For more Information contact:
Donovan Cloete
Cell: 083 417 6106
Issued by: Ministry of Communications
3 December 2004
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