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We propose the following revised text of para 21 of draft declaration of principles: adding text in square bracket.

• 21. (19) The ability for all to access and contribute information, ideas and knowledge is essential in an inclusive Information Society. [Specific needs and requirements of all stakeholders must be considered in the earliest stage of ICT design and development, based on Design for All principle, so that the Information Society may become inclusive at minimum cost.]
• Justification: The text added is abridged version of the "para 20B" of the draft declaration of principles (WSIS03/PCIP/DT/4(Rev.3)-E 18 July 2003) that received no objection at PrepCom3 but dropped without any specific reasons in the process of shortening the text. Since there is no paragraph in the draft declaration to stipulate this important principle for ICT design and development for all, we propose this modified text of the "para 20B" in the language which is fitting into the context.

The term "universal design" as widely known in North America, and "inclusive design" or "design for all" as widely known in Europe, refers to the way the environment, products services including ICTs are designed so that all people, regardless of their differences including disabilities, can access without any difficulty. Such concept is not just intended to meet specific needs of persons with disabilities, but rather it is intended to accommodate all diverse needs. The fact that such accessibility solution has been brought into life and has been contributed by disability-related individuals/organizations may cause many people, who might be new to the ICT design and development field, to be quite confused which often leads to wrong assumption that it is a disability-specific concept.

Assistive technology refers to specific ways and means to achieve accessibility by persons with disabilities or otherwise with special needs, both in terms of access to built environments and in terms of access to information and communications including ICTs. The need for assistive technology is normally caused by inaccessible/poorly designed products and/or services. For example, blind people need to use a computer screen reader with voice or Braille output in order to have access to the computer which has been originally designed to interact mainly through visual channel, and deaf people require the use of TDD or TTY in order to communicate through telephone because such communication tool was originally designed to be used mainly through voice interaction, etc. Therefore, assistive technology is a disability-specific issue, intended for making specific products/services accessible. It is a specific mechanism to help achieve the accessible information society.

The role of assistive technology is to help make the task of universal/inclusive design more complete. For example, a wheelchair user can possibly move independently in the building with properly installed elevators and ramps (best done from the designing stage). The use of assistive technology is a specific solution at micro level while universal/inclusive design stands at the macro level to achieve accessibility. They are equally important and should both be included in the WSIS declaration of principles.