Program, December 12, 2003, 09.30-18.00, Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland

Global Forum on Disability in the Information Society

Forum Mondial sur l'Invalidite dans la Societe de l'Information

Foro Munidial sobre la invalidez en la Sociedad de la Informacion

The program is available in the following formats: ink print, large print, CD-ROM

09.30 -10.30
A: OPENING SESSION

A01

Welcome

by Bernhard Heinser, bernhard.heinser@sbszh.ch (Director of the Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired, http://www.sbs-online.ch)

A02

First Opening Address

by Mr. Moritz Leuenberger, Member of the Federal Council (Swiss Government), Head of the Federal Department of Transport, Communications and Energy, Head of the Swiss Delegation to the World Summit on Information Society)

A03

Second Opening Address

by Mr. Pierre-Francois Unger, Conseiller d'Etat de Geneve (Canton of Geneva, Member of the Government).

A04

Keynote Speech

By Kicki Nordstrom, kino@iris.se(President of the World Blind Union, http://www.worldblindunion.org/Chair of the International Disability Alliance)

Kicki Nordstrom is the President of the World Blind Union (WBU) representing about 600 different organisations in approximately 160 countries. She is currently chairing the International Disability Alliance, a network of the seven largest international Disability Groups. These include Disabled Peoples' International (DPI), Inclusion International (II), Rehabilitation International (RI), World Blind Union (WBU), World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), World Federation of the Deaf-Blind (WFDB) and World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry. Kicki Nordstrom is further on the Steering Committee of the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired, a Board Member of the Swedish UNICEF, Member of an advisory group on women and violence under the Minister of Gender and Agriculture in Sweden and Member of the UN Panel of Experts, for monitoring the UN Standard Rules on Equalisations of Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities. Kicki Nordstrom is married and mother of five children.

10.30 -11.00
BREAK

11.00 - 13.00
B: BEST PRACTICE SHOWCASE

B01

RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) in Partnership with Mainstream Telecom Providers - Challenges and Achievements

By Steve Tyler, steve.tyler@rnib.org.uk (RNIB, http://www.rnib.org.uk/), and Charlotte Grezo, charlotte.grezo@vodafone.co.uk (Vodafone, http://www.vodafone.co.uk/)

Abstract: RNIB has been working in the telecommunications industry for three years. Through a clear set of strategic and collaboration with key manufactures, software providers and network owners it has been possible to bring about changes in perception in the telecommunications environment; an agreed partnership with one key network provider; delivery of accessible products and services as an UK and, shortly, on a global level. This has been made possible through a strategic alliance with Vodafone by linking the strategic direction of both organisations to bring about a co-beneficial partnership.

Charlotte Grezo joined Vodafone in 2001 with a remit to establish a Group Corporate Responsibility function. This includes working with the Subsidiaries and Associates to establish the policies and processes to manage Corporate Responsibility at the Group level. Corporate Responsibility encompasses both environmental and social issues. Specific responsibilities include working to ensure that the value "Passionate about the World Around Us" and Corporate Responsibility are aligned, ensuring that the commitments made in the Vodafone Corporate Responsibility Report are delivered.

B02

Accessibility Certification in Switzerland By Jurg Stuker, juerg.stuker@namics.com(namics, http://www.namics.com/) and Arnold Schneider, arnold@access-for-all.ch(Stiftung Zugang fur Alle / Foundation Access for All, http://www.access-for-all.ch/)

Abstract: According to the Swiss law for equal opportunities for people with disabilities, governmental online offerings have to be accessible as from January 1, 2004. The presentation explains the philosophy and the essentials of the testing procedure private organizations proposed to the Swiss government in the course of the legislation. The short demonstration shows the benefit of eGovernment procedures for those who are blind.

Arnold Schneider is director of Access for all, the Swiss foundation for a technology adapted to people with disabilities. He is a blind computer professional and expert for adaptive technology.

Jurg Stuker is head of technology of Switzerland's largest Internet service company "namics" and member of the board of the Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

B03

ICT in Action for People with Intellectual Disabilities: "The Personal Passport"

By Fred Heddel, fred.heddell@mencap.org.uk (Inclusion International, mencap understanding learning disability, http://www.mencap.org.uk/) and Minnion Andy, andy@thebigtree.org (The Rix Centre)

Abstract: This presentation will use photography, multimedia and samples of Personal Passports to demonstrate, in an accessible way, an innovative application of ICT for people with Intellectual disabilities. - Debate about ICT and disability tends to prioritise the needs of those with sensory and motor disability to the exclusion of those whose disabilities are cognitive are intellectual. For those with intellectual disability CT offers new tools and opportunities for both communication and for organising thinking for planning and decision making as well everyday social interaction. The multimedia Personal Passport presents a remarkably inclusive use of ICT for people with Intellectual disabilities to directly improve the quality of their lives. It provides a simple to use digital tool that genuinely reduces the constraints that intellectual disability can impose on the individual in society, helping people to make their own informed decisions, and to capture and communicate their thinking.

Fred Heddell CBE is the founder of the Rix Centre for Innovation Studies at the University of East London which is designed to exploit the use of multimedia technology and enable global knowledge sharing about disability. He was Chief Executive at The Royal Mencap Society from 1990 to 2003 with responsibility for the overall management and direction of the UK's largest disability Charity. He is currently Treasurer of Inclusion International - The World Wide Federation of 200 intellectual disability organizations. Fred has written several books on learning disability and worked as a Script writer and consultant to the BBC on more than 150 television and radio programmes both for people with disability and about disability, computers and micro technology.

Andy Minnion is Director of Multimedia and Learning Disability Research at the Rix Centre in the University of East London's Docklands Campus. He leads 'PACCIT - APPLE', a major UK Research Programme in partnership with a cross-disciplinary team from UK Universities and Business developing an exemplar Virtual Learning Environment for people with intellectual disability. Andy has a considerable portfolio of publications in print, video and online forms with a client list that includes Mencap, Childline, Inclusion International and Channel 4TV.

B04

DAISY (Digital Accessible Information SYstem) Products for Dyslectics

By Torbjorn Lundgren, torbjorn.lundgren@fmls.nu (FMLS / Organization for Dyslectic People)

Abstract: During the last three years The Swedish Association for Persons with Difficulties in Reading and Writing/Dyslexia, FMLS, has worked on a project called "Accessing the Printed Word" (see http://www.sprakaloss.se/). The question is: What can we do to make reading easier without losing the beauty, variety and rich vocabulary of language? How can technology help to prevent this and what compensations can be made for reading disabilities? - Torbjorn Lundgren has presented important conclusions of this work in the book "The Educational Material of the Future - for Persons with Difficulties in Reading and Writing/Dyslexia" (see the English version at: http://www.hi.se/butik/pdf/03326-pdf.pdf). One of the conclusions outlines that this kind of persons need DAISY books including the text. That's why the Swedish version of the book "The Educational Material of the Future ..." has a CD-version included. The project "Accessing the Printed Word" presents its work on a DAISY CD with sound, text, pictures and film. But DAISY readers (such as LpPlayer, EaseReader, TPB Reader and so on) are primary made for blind and visually impaired. So now FMLS, together with Labyrinten Data AB, is producing a digital book reader that is specific made for the need of dyslectics and other people with difficulties with reading and writing.

Torbjorn Lundgren is an author and a dyslectic. He has written articles, books, brochures and novels about this subject. He is one of two leaders of the project "Accessing the Printed Word".

B05

TV Conference System Development and Digital Archive that support Users of Psychiatry

By Kohei Yamane (Home of Bethel)

Abstract:In Urakawa, Hokkaido Island, in the north Japan, a town of 16,000 residents, there is a community of the mentally disabled which welcomes about 2000 visitors annually for study tour or news coverage purpose. We utilize a broadband network, the power of these networks is a part of our ability to connect the stuffs and members of groups in Japan by allowing us to access and exchange information and knowledge that is crucial for our socio-economic development. To put it concretely, we utilize TV conference system and digital archive system.

Kohei Yamane was born in April 1971 in Chiba prefecture, Japan. In March 1996, He graduated from Waseda University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering.In April 1996, He entered the Mitsubishi Motors corporation.In November 2001 He joined the Urakawa-Bethel-House.In February 2002, he fell an easy prey to the temptation of auditory hallucination like an alien, other members helped him. In May 2002 at the Hallucinations & Delusion contest, he got an award of the grand prix. Now, he belongs to the office department of Bethel Welfare Organization, often give lectures in Japan

B06

Designing Accessibility into High Performance ICT, a practicalApproach

By George Kerscher, kerscher@montana.com(Secretary General to the Digital Accessible Information SYstem [DAISY] Consortium, http://www.daisy.org/)

Abstract: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have many design requirements. They must be highly functional, powerful, and they must be usable by all persons in the society. Exploring the fundamentals reveals that there are no conflicts between the needs of persons with disabilities and high performance information systems. Traditional print-based publishing does not offer high performance nor does it provide for accessibility. Well designed systems will enable the presentation of information in the format that is most appropriate for the individual. If a person wants beautifully formatted print, they can have it. If they want it read to them, they can have it. If they want it in braille, they can have that too. The high performance information systems, must enable the search for information, sorting for relevance, formatting of the content, and finally the appropriate presentation to the individual.- Layers of information can be added together to form multimedia presentations. Multimedia is essential, because in our highly visual world, much of the information we are looking for is not contained in text, but in video and sound. We want to have our high performance system search video and sound. How do you do that? The multimedia presentations far surpass traditional print-based publishing, and that is the ICT of the future.

George Kerscher is dedicated to developing technology to make information not only accessible, but fully functional in the hands of persons who are blind and print disabled. He himself is blind, and started to develop computer-based information technology in 1987. He has proven to be a tireless advocate of structured markup, such as XML, in information systems that simultaneously serve both the mainstream population and persons with disabilities. Currently, George Kerscher is Secretary General for the DAISY Consortium, Senior Officer of Accessible Information at Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D in the USA, Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Open eBook Forum (OeBF), and Co-chair of the Steering Council of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), one of the four branches of the W3C.

B07

Inclusion through Technology: Introduction of Computers for the Visually Impaired in the Caribbean Region

By Arvel Grant, arvel.grantccb@candw.ag (Executive Director of the Caribbean Council for the Blind)

Abstract: With the development of effective screen reading and vision enhancement programs, information technology has become almost as accessible to the blind and visually impaired as it is to the rest of society. In an effort to provide an educational and pre-vocational platform from which the blind and visually impaired can launch into this new world of opportunity, the Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB), with significant financial and technical assistance from Sight Savers International (SSI) has embarked upon a regional initiative to place more than five hundred computers at the disposal of blind and visually impaired children and adults attending formal training programs across the Caribbean. - The presentation will give a brief background on the structure and genesis of this initiative, drawing on Mr. Grant's own experiences as a visually impaired person in the education and vocational sectors in Jamaica.

Arvel Grant was born in Jamaica in 1953 and has been legally blind since birth. He attended the Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston and then on to the University of the West Indies where he took a degree in Political Science. He joined the Caribbean Council for the Blind in the mid-1980s as Project Officer and was appointed Executive Director in 1992.

13.00 - 14.30
BREAK

14.30 - 16.30
C: ICT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES) DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL

C01

TeleSIP - a New Communication Platform for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Disabled users.

By Beat Kleeb, kleeb@procom-deaf.chand Urs Linder, linder@procom-deaf.ch (Procom Foundation, http://www.procom-deaf.ch/)

Abstract: TeleSIP is the modern and universal communication system, enabling Deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled and hearing people to communicate over the Internet in their "natural language". It is a multimedia communication system, based on the new SIP-Internet-Standard (SIP = Session Initiation Protocol). This software, in combination with a registration in a SIP-Registrar server, allows Deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled people to communicate in text, voice and video, according to their individual needs. Video is transmitted in high quality so that use of sign language and lip reading is possible. The system has been developed by Siemens Switzerland and the Procom Foundation. Due to the common work of two experts, the result meets the real needs of handicapped users and conforms to common international standards

Beat Kleeb is a chemist working in Product Development and as Marketing Supporter for industrial chemicals. He performs voluntary work within the deaf community in Switzerland. He was a Member of Committee, Vice President, Honoraria Member of the Schweizerischer Gehorlosenbund, President of the Swiss Association for the Deaf and Member of Commission/Expert for technical Aids for the Deaf in the World Federation of the Deaf.

Urs Linder is specialised in Accessible Telecommunications and Information Technology with a degree in electronic from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). He is the founder and Director of the Cooperative of Electronics for the deaf, a Swiss organisation specialised in communication technology for deaf and hard of hearing persons since 1979. Urs Linder is one of the pioneers in Europe in the development and production of Text Telephones. He is now busy with multi-media communication software and product, based on IETF's SIP.

C02

Autism and Information Communication Technology Support

By John Burke, Ph. D. (Director of Kentucky Autism Training Center, Associate Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Teaching and Learning, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky); Hatsue Suda (President of KEYAKI-NO-SATO, Vice-President of Autism Society Japan) and Yoshiko Abe (Managing Director of Welfare Corporation Keyaki no Sato) and Ms. Yoshiko Abe (Executive Director of KEYAKI-NO-SATO, Vice-Director of Publication Section of Autism Society Japan)

Abstract: The goal of this multimedia presentation will be to provide solid suggestions of how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be used to help meet the special educational and treatment requirements of persons with autism and other cognitive disabilities. With representation from Japan and the United States, information on current efforts of using ICT will be presented pertaining to an online interactive education and training system on autism and technology that has a focus on translating research findings into practical application. In the second portion of the presentation, information will be presented pertaining to a very successful group- home and welfare factory located in Japan. Adults with autism are supported in an environment that facilitates successful opportunities for employment. In the third portion of this presentation, excerpts from a panel presentation involving adults with autism will be shown. The goal of this portion of the presentation is to help convey to all participants the unique and common needs often shared by individuals with autism. The presentation will end with a brief discussion of how Information Communication Technology can serve a vital role in advancing services and the education of people with autism and other cognitive challenges.

John C. Burke, Ph.D., is the Director of the Kentucky Autism Training Centre and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Paediatrics and Teaching and Learning, University of Louisville. Prior to coming to UofL in August of 1997, Dr. Burke had served as faculty at Johns Hopkins University as well as a Program Director at the Centre for Technology in Education (JHU). Dr. Burke has earned degrees and credentials in Psychology, Education, and Speech Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He also earned a Doctorate in Speech and Hearing Sciences through a joint program with UCSB and UCSF Medical School. Dr. Burke has been extensively involved in several major research and training projects pertaining to autism and other disabilities funded by various government agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Education, National Institute of Mental Health).

Hatsue Suda is the President of Welfare Corporation KEYAKI-NO-SATO, the Vice President of Autism Society Japan (ASJ), a Director of National Welfare Foundation for Handicapped Children since 1998, a Director of Japan Federation for the Advancement of Special Support Education (since 1983), and a Director and Ex-Vice President of Liaison Committee of Organization for Welfare of the Disabled (since 1973). She was extensively involved in establishing KEYAKI-NO-SATO in 1985 and became the President since 1988. - Ms Suda is a mother of the 44-year-old son with autism, and has been extensively working more than 35 years for people with autism and their families. In 1967 she initiated her carrier to set up first in Japan Association of Parents having children with autism.

Yoshiko Abe is the Executive Director of Welfare Corporation of KEYAKI-NO-SATO, and the vice-Director of Publication Section of Autism Society Japan (ASJ) since 1970. In 1954 she earned degree of Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from WASEDA University. To take care of her son with autism, she joined Japan Association of Parents having children with autism (ASJ) where she met Ms Suda. She was extensively involved in establishment of KEYAKI-NO-SATO from 1978 and presently is the number one in the management. - Ms Abe is a mother of 41-year-old son with autism, Taro, and extensively working more than 30 years for people with autism. Ms Abe contributed to the establishment of world famous MUSASHINO-HIGASHI primary school where they achieved the integrated education of children with autism and children without. Hinted from her personel experience, and Taro's travel in Canada where the people of autism could live with "no problem", she wrote a non-fiction book, "'No problem' is our password" in 1996, which was nominated the prize of Japan Essayist Club.

C03

DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) for All Project

By Markku Hakkinen, Open Source Project Coordinator, hakkinen@dinf.ne.jp (Digitale Accessible Information System [DAISY] Consortium, http://www.daisy.org/, AMIS [Adaptive Multimedia Information System, http://www.amisproject.org/); Dipendra Manocha, dipendram@vsnl.net (National Association for the Blind, New Dehli, India, http://www.nabdehli.org/); Monthian Buntan, mbuntan@tab.or.th (Thai Blind People's Foundation, http://www.tab.or.th/); Marisa DeMeglio, marisa@dinf.ne.jp (DAISY for All Project, http://www.amisproject.org/) ; Miki Azuma, m-azuma@dinf.ne.jp (DAISY for All Project)

Abstract: Open Source Software (OSS) presents an attractive path to addressing the challenges in building the technical infrastructure for an inclusive information society. With OSS, it is feasible to consider locally developed and supported solutions to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations in the developing world. To date, however, most OSS has lacked accessibility features common to even mainstream commercial software products. To achieve accessible OSS solutions, education, knowledge transfer, and capacity building are essential. To that end, the DAISY for All Project has begun a series of Open Source Development Workshops. The workshops introduce programmers from developing countries to DAISY and related, international, open standards for accessible information and DAISY open source software development. A major emphasis of the workshop is the adaptation and localization of software to support local languages and interface requirements. The workshops themselves are accessible to people with disabilities. Upon completion of the workshop, participants can join a specific DAISY OSS development activity, or apply the knowledge and skills attained to their own work.- Building local capacity for accessible ICT development and adaptation is essential to ensuring that local and regional needs are addressed in the emerging information societies.

Markku Hakkinen has spent the past 25 years working to make ICT more usable by all, through research and development activities in the academic, commercial, and NGO sectors. In 1995, he developed the first non-visual web browser to enable persons with visual disabilities to access the World Wide Web. He has been active in the development of accessible information standards, working with organizations including W3C and the DAISY Consortium, and is presently Chair of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiatives's Research and Development Interest Group.

Dipendra Manocha: Working as the head of the technology section of the National Association for the Blind, Delhi for the past 10 years. He initiated and coordinated research and development activities for Braille Conversion Software for Indian Languages, TTS software for Indian Languages etc. Currently working as Asst. Programme manager, DAISY For All Project with the responsibility of coordinating open source software development and establishment of focal points in developing countries.

Monthian Buntan is Master of Arts in Music Theory and Composition from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (USA). Actually, he is Director of Technology, International Relations and Human Resource Development of the Thai Blind People's Foundation (since 2002). From 1993 to 2002 he was a Deputy Director of the Ratchasuda College at the Mahidol University (Thailand). He is 1st Vice President of the Thailand Association of the Blind and Executive Committee Member of the World Blind Union.

Marisa DeMeglio is the AMIS (Adaptive Multimedia Information System) Development Coordinator for the Daisy for All project. She has been involved with DAISY and accessible software development since 2000. She is currently focusing on two efforts: the localization of AMIS and development of the next version. AMIS is open source software and is available free of charge at http://www.amisproject.org/. Marisa lives in New York, USA.

C04

Common ICT Applications for e-Working and Interaction with other Disabled People

By Tony Verelst, chairman@isdac.org (ISdAC International Association, http://www.isdac.org/)

C05

Standards and Strategies for Making the Web Accessible for People with Disabilities

By Judy Brewer, jbrewer@w3.org(Director of the Web Accessibility Initiative at W3C, http://www.w3.org/WAI)

Abstract: The World Wide Web provides a unique opportunity to make the core technology of the information age accessible to people with disabilities. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) addresses support for accessibility requirements for people with diverse disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, cognitive and neurological disabilities. These accessibility requirements are consistent with good Web design, and also provide a strong foundation for access to the Web from different types of devices. Ms Brewer will describe the latest improvements in Web technologies to facilitate accessibility; including guidelines for Web content developers and Web-based applications manufacturers; and strategies to raise awareness of the need for accessibility and provide training on accessibility solutions. In particular, she will describe the essential role that standards harmonization plays in ensuring widespread support for production of accessible Web content, and what this means for regional and national efforts to standardize requirements for accessible information technologies. Ms Brewer will describe how one can participate in and comment on the work of the partnership of industry, disability organizations, accessibility research centres, and governments currently working together through W3C/WAI to address Web accessibility. In addition, she will introduce a number of resources that WAI is developing which can assist Web designers in producing accessible sites, such as on-line curricula, checklists, Quick Tips, and technical reference notes.

Judy Brewer is Director of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Since September 1997 she has coordinated five areas of work for W3C with regard to Web accessibility: ensuring that W3C technologies (HTML, CSS, SMIL, XML, etc.) support accessibility; developing accessibility guidelines for Web content, browsers and multimedia players, authoring tools, and XML applications; improving tools for evaluation and repair of Web sites; conducting education and outreach on Web accessibility; and monitoring research and development which may impact future accessibility of the Web. WAI guidelines developed through this work include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, adopted by an increasing number of countries around the world. Judy is W3C's chief liaison on accessibility policy and standardization internationally, promoting awareness and implementation of Web accessibility, and ensuring effective dialog among industry, the disability community, accessibility researchers, and government on the development of consensus-based accessibility solutions. She holds a research appointment at MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science. Prior to joining W3C, Judy worked on several US- based initiatives to increase access to mainstream technology for people with disabilities.

C06

The Role of ICT to Prevent Disaster and Disease for All

By Hiroshi Kawamura, hkawa@rehab.go.jp (National Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities, http://www.rehab.go.jp/)

Abstract: People with Disabilities (PWD) have specific needs for design and development of ICT to prevent fatal effects of disasters and diseases. The presentation outlines potential ICT applications that meet individual needs of PWD to eradicate avoidable damages caused by disasters and diseases. Global public domain knowledge sharing on disaster / disease preparedness / prevention / response /recovery in accessible format with affordable cost will be proposed and discussed.

Hiroshi Kawamura is Director of the Department of Social Rehabilitation, Research Institute of the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD), Japan. Trained in geography at faculty of science, he has vast experience in disability-related work and issues; served as the Chairperson of the Section of Libraries for the Blind of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), serving as one of the founders and researcher on Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) as an international accessibility standard, member of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Advisory Committee for Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability, member of Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and Training (GLADNET) Association. He is a Steering Committee member of the Web Accessibility Initiative/W3C. He took initiative to revise the copyright law to meet the requirements of persons with disabilities in Japan, supports DAISY implementation in developing countries, and conducts research on disaster mitigation, preparedness and response to meet the needs of people with disabilities through accessible ICT development. Most currently he acts as the Focal Point of Disability Family Groups of the Civil Society Bureau of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

16.30 - 17.00
BREAK

17.00 - 18.00
D: CLOSING SESSION

D01

Opening Address

by Mr. Patrice Mugny, Conseiller administratif de la Ville de Geneve (Member of the Government of the City of Geneva)

D02

Discussion and decision on a "Geneva Declaration on Accessible Information Society" that states the needs and the requirements of persons with disabilities with respect to the Information Society.

The following text will be discussed:

Geneva Declaration on Accessible Information Society

We, participants of the Global Forum on Disability in the Information Society, held on December 12, 2003 in Geneva Switzerland, declare in solidarity that

1. Persons with disabilities, as an integral and indivisible part of human society, must be included in all aspects of the information society and must be able to enjoy the rights of full participation free from all types of barrier, prejudice and discrimination.
2. Content of information and communications including ICTs, which play a crucial role in shaping the information society, should be made accessible to all including persons with disabilities, based on Universal Design principle and the use of assistive technologies.

Zurich, December 7, 2003