Inclusion and accessibility are two of the most important components when promoting equality, social justice, and human dignity for individuals far and wide. Therefore, in an age that prides itself on progress and advancement, the true measure of how successful society is lies in its ability to uphold the rights and dignity of each and every member through inclusion and accessibility.
Disability rights and inclusive policies have emerged as significant benchmarks in this regard. While empathy and understanding are important for inclusion, that is merely the starting point. The formulation and implementation of comprehensive policies is what matters in the long run, especially for empowering individuals with disabilities.
Disability rights encompass the legal and moral entitlements of individuals with disabilities to be treated fairly. This generally includes protection from discrimination, the right to accessible facilities and services, the right to education, employment, healthcare, and participation in political and social activities.
Inclusive policies usually refer to laws and regulations that uphold disability rights and promote the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Policy frameworks need to be implemented
At the 16th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16), which was held from 13th to 15th June 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “a cascade of crises is putting global progress towards ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities in danger”. He requested countries “to do much, much better”.
While this conference had roundtable discussions about how to ensure equal access to and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities; digital accessibility for persons with disabilities; reaching the under-represented groups of persons with disabilities, and much more, the highlight of most of those conversations was that the progress that was achieved “is at a risk of reversing”. Mainly due to the persistent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating climate change crisis, ongoing conflicts and surging humanitarian demands, and the worldwide challenges related to the cost of living.
One of the main drawbacks of most countries that are working on disability rights and inclusive policies is the lack of pace. While there is progress, it is not fast enough to tackle the crises that are mutating at an unbelievable speed nor is it broad enough to accommodate every aspect that needs to represent the needs of persons with disabilities. To overcome such a barrier, where should one start? The answer would be to use the latest tools of technology to make it a more inclusive landscape and not one that marginalises it.
The world has come to the point where seven out of ten words spoken are about AI. Therefore it is only apt that at least seven out of ten suggestions that improve the quality of disabled persons’ lives include the use of AI. Keeping in mind that AI is not without its caveats, a prominent way in which it can be used to increase accessibility is:
AI can understand voices and language, which helps those who have trouble moving, to control devices without using their limbs. AI also helps by turning spoken words into instant captions and translating to sign language, so digital content is easier to understand for those who have issues with hearing.
The latest advancements in AI are the improvement of special technologies like prosthetics and wearable supports, helping people move better. For people who have a visual impairment, computer vision systems help them navigate and read by changing written words into spoken ones.
However, for all of this to be put into practice and to maximise the technological possibilities for persons with disabilities, there is a need for government involvement. This can be achieved by implementing a robust policy framework.
The main policy framework that was put forth by the UN at the advent of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires states to take necessary measures such as:
Engaging in research and innovation, and ensuring that technology is designed to be usable by everyone.
Ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to information and communication technologies, the internet, and emerging technologies. Similar to how it is for others, this access should be made available at the primary stages of the relevant technological tool, even for persons with disabilities. So that they will not have to bear an extra cost.
Making sure that information meant for the public is given to people with disabilities in ways they can understand, using formats and technologies that work for their specific disabilities without charging an extra cost and promptly.
Once countries fall into the rhythm of abiding by policy frameworks as such, the infrastructure of that country will adapt to accommodate, if not all, at least most of the needs of persons with disabilities.
While digital accessibility is high up in the line-up of important measures that need to be taken to improve disability rights and inclusive policies, reaching the underrepresented groups of persons with disabilities is equally important.
Some segments of the global community of people with disabilities continue to have a limited visibility in society, even within disability-focused organisations. Their perspectives and voices are often overlooked when making crucial decisions.
This lack of representation is tied to and caused by the unequal status of certain groups due to various factors such as disability type, gender, age, and ethnicity. These are the ones that are mostly ostracised by policies and laws.
Research shows that this group mostly consists of categories such as women and girls with disabilities, deaf-blind persons, refugees; migrant, asylum-seeking and displaced persons with disabilities, autistic persons, persons with disabilities living in rural areas, persons with disabilities living in poverty, and persons with disabilities who identify as members of ethnic or religious minorities. Thus, overcoming this problem is of utmost importance if the world is to become inclusive without any hindrances.
A few (of the many) recommendations on the way forward
Use an intersectional strategy when creating, applying, and overseeing laws, policies, and actions. Make sure that public services are not only accessible for people with disabilities but also take into consideration factors such as age, gender, and cultural differences. This applies to important areas like education, healthcare, the legal system, and social support.
The presence of accurate and duly updated data is very critical to establish any change. A glitch in the data system could jeopardise the entire existence of a community. For this reason, countries should enhance the quality and quantity of information by setting up systems to gather, document, and study data that is accurate, on time, easy to access, and trustworthy. This data needs to be properly sorted out by disability, gender, age, and indigenous status so that there won’t be any mishaps when someone wants to refer to it.
Additionally, the way that data is collected can be improved by involving people with disabilities and/or the organisations that represent them in research that considers various aspects of their lives.
Be it legal, political, financial, organisational, or educational, there should be no barriers, none whatsoever. And this is exactly the vision that the powerful call of the disability movement: “Nothing About Us, Without Us” is fighting to materialise.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)