IGF 2021 Lightning Talk #78 Digital accessibility is a right: keys to building accessible digital environments

Time
Tuesday, 7th December, 2021 (17:00 UTC) - Tuesday, 7th December, 2021 (17:30 UTC)
Room
Conference Room 8

Asociación por los Derechos Civiles (ADC)

Speakers
  • María Sol Abichain, member of the ADC disability agenda research team | Asociación por los Derechos Civiles (ADC).
  • Yanina Boria, member of ADC's PUEDA Campaign Collaboration Board | Sign Language Interpreter- ADAS - National University of Buenos Aires(UBA).
  • Pablo Lecuona, member of ADC's PUEDA Campaign Collaboration Board | Asociación Tiflonexos.
  • Emiliano Naranjo, member of ADC's PUEDA Campaign Collaboration Board - Inclusive Education Specialist - Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham (UNAHUR).
  • Gabriela Toledo, member of ADC's PUEDA Campaign Collaboration Board | Disability Observatory of the National University of Quilmes (UNQ).
Format

Presentation

Duration (minutes)
30
Language

Spanish

Description

In this session we are going to highlight that digital accessibility is a right of all people, including those with disabilities or those with little digital literacy. Digital accessibility enables the exercise of other fundamental rights.

Our starting point will be an investigation carried out in Latin America, which found little knowledge of the subject and the absence of accessible websites. The focus of the session is deeply aligned with the area of ​​interest "Economic and social inclusion and human rights", particularly the question "Inclusion, rights and stakeholder roles and responsibilities", since we will reflect on what is the role of different key actors in Internet governance (states, private sector, civil society, etc.) with regard to guaranteeing universal access to digital environments.

The session will have an introductory moment, in which the differences between access, accessibility and usability will be presented. To encourage participation, we will present different topics, accompanied by materials and examples, to open reflection and debate and involve different actors through screen sharing and links to explore online.

You can find more information about the actions that the Association for Civil Rights is developing to increase awareness of the issue in Latin America at the following site: https://accesibilidad-digital.adc.org.ar/pueda.html (Content in Spanish).

In the following video you will find a webinar with English subtitles organized by the ADC on digital accessibility. https://youtu.be/7QcRWuD0gak?list=PLYHgie_wAMKaCSvX4PjuCm5Nk9uCaA21T

Key Takeaways (* deadline 2 hours after session)

Digital accessibility enables people to interact with digital environments without the mediation of third parties. In this way, all citizens can exercise their citizenship through autonomous decision-making in their practice of democracy. There is a lack of knowledge on the subject and that it is necessary for States, the private sector and academia to take it into their work agendas so that all people know their rights and see them fulfilled.

Call to Action (* deadline 2 hours after session)

Disseminate the dimension of digital accessibility as a right

Session Report (* deadline 26 October) - click on the ? symbol for instructions

Report Lightning Talk Digital accessibility is a right: keys to building accessible digital environments

During the lightning talk we talked about digital accessibility from a human rights perspective. We approach the issue on three levels:

  1.  What are we talking about when we talk about accessibility? It was concluded that there is a general lack of knowledge on the subject and that it is necessary for States, the private sector and academia to take it into their work agendas so that all people know their rights and see them fulfilled.
  2. What rights are intersected by accessibility? It is agreed that digital accessibility enables all people to access content hosted on websites, digital platforms and applications without the mediation of third parties. In this way, all citizens can exercise their citizenship through autonomous decision-making in their practice of democracy.
  3. What can we do from each place to incorporate accessibility as an essential dimension in the digital sphere? It was agreed that both States and the private sector should:
  • Express commitment in relation to accessibility.
  • For this, it is effective to plan a strategy and designate people or areas responsible for promoting and managing the implementation of accessibility.
  • It is recommended to offer institutional training spaces on the subject.
  • It is necessary to require suppliers to make their products and services accessible, expanding the scope outside the organizations themselves.
  • It is convenient to define resources of economic and human capital, destined to the subject of accessibility, with professionals trained in the subject.
  • Accessibility should be considered permanently in the development of projects, from their planning, design, development, and evaluation.