Disabilities – Page 2

Throughout the world we are in the midst of a digital transformation in which we are increasingly interconnected as more and more services are being delivered online. Despite the many benefits inherent in this interconnectivity, a digital divide exists in which individuals with disabilities and seniors are on the far side of the divide.

In our rush to adopt, implement, and use emerging technology, we all too often overlook individuals with disabilities and older adults. These two groups have a significant influence and economic impact in the world – that we ignore at our peril.

In the US

A household economic study issued by the U.S. Census Bureau (July 2012), Americans With Disabilities: 2010, states there are approximately 56.7 million people in the U.S. who have a disability. At 20% of the population, “individuals with disabilities hold a distinct position in the U.S. economy, both for their contributions to the marketplace and roles in government policies and programs. People with disabilities bring unique sets of skills to the workplace, enhancing the strength and diversity of the U.S. labor market. In addition, they make up a significant market of consumers, representing more than $200 billion in discretionary spending and spurring technological innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In Europe

Rob Sinclair, chief accessibility officer at Microsoft writes in “Improving Access Can Close Digital Divide,” “technology innovations . . .are just one side of the coin. We also need policy frameworks in place that put forward accessibility rules pointing to global accessibility standards and implements programmes to remove economic and social barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in all aspects of life. . . . As we all move forward to an increasingly interconnected future, where technology plays an ever more important role in everyone’s daily lives, it is vital that we do not let individuals with disabilities or age-related impairments get left behind.”

Excuses, Excuses

Excuses persist for the lack of routine accessibility in information and communications technology. If the usual arguments for accessibility–including the well-documented contributions to society by individuals with disabilities–are not enough, then consider this:

You — Yes, YOU

As we age, our chances of having some kind of disability rises significantly – to 50% and more. So when you’re considering whether accessibility is important, keep in mind that it could be YOU you are ensuring accessibility for. If it isn’t you, it will be someone you know, and possibly someone you love. Not only is the population of older people growing, but as people get older their rate of disabilities increase as well.

Karl Groves, a consultant with Simply Accessible, discusses accessibility from the business perspective of growing older in “Yes, actually it may be you one day,” Groves points out that “28% of the WCAG Success Criterion are mapped to benefits for Senior users. Baby Boomers account for 47% of US families and have over $2,000,000,000 in buying power.”

Sometimes it seems to me that business and industry are in denial.

While doing some research about holidays and observances in December, I learned that December has two observances that speak to human rights. December 3 is the 30^th anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes the continuing integration of persons who are disabled into society. Also in December is the United Nations Human Rights Day which was established on December 10, 1948 by the U.N. to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets forth basic rights and freedoms to which all are entitled.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 was established by the International Year for Disabled Persons in 1981. The Day is set aside to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of people with disabilities and societal gains that come from the integration of people with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic, and cultural life of their communities. This year’s theme is, “Together for a better world for all.”

In 1981, when the United Nations first observed the International Year of Disabled Persons, the theme was “Full Participation and Equality.” In 1982, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the World Program of Action Concerning Disabled Persons, The WPACDP is best described as a global strategy to enhance disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities, which pertains to full participation of persons with disabilities in social life and national development. The WPA stresses the need to approach disability from a human rights perspective.

Human Rights Day

Predating the declaration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the WPACPD is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration sets out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all men and women, everywhere in the world, are entitled, without any distinction. The UDHR was adopted on December 10, 1948. December 10 has since served to mark Human Rights Day worldwide.

The Most Universal Document in the World

The UDHR is truly a universal document. Not only was it was drafted by representatives of all regions and legal traditions but it is also the most translated document in the world. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been awarded the Guinness World Record for having collected, translated and disseminated the UDHR into more than 380 languages and dialects: from Abkhaz to Zulu. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is thus the most “universal” document in the world.

With the passage of time, the Declaration has been accepted as a contract between governments and their peoples. Virtually all states have accepted it. The Declaration has also served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as disabled persons, indigenous peoples and migrant workers.

650 Million People with Disabilities Worldwide

It is estimated that there are 50 million people with disabilities in the United States and 650 million people with disabilities worldwide (approximately 15% of the world’s population). Nearly one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons (110-190 million), living with disabilities encounter significant difficulties. Moreover, a quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability, as care-givers or family members.

Much work needs to be done to ensure basic human rights for all persons. For individuals with disabilities, despite all the progress that has been made over the last 30 years, individuals with disabilities still face many disadvantages in society and are frequently subjected to stigma and discrimination. In addition, they remain marginalized, disproportionately poorer, are frequently unemployed and have higher rates of mortality. They are also excluded from civil and political processes and are overwhelmingly voiceless in matters that affect them. When individuals with disabilities are empowered to participate in their communities, their entire community benefits, as their involvement creates opportunities for everyone – with or without a disability.