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Accessible Technology and the Developing World

Online ISBN:
9780191881572
Print ISBN:
9780198846413
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Accessible Technology and the Developing World

Michael Ashley Stein (ed.),
Michael Ashley Stein
(ed.)

Harvard Law School Project on Disability

Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Executive Director
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Jonathan Lazar (ed.)
Jonathan Lazar
(ed.)

College of Information Studies (the iSchool)

College of Information Studies (the iSchool), Professor
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Published online:
23 December 2021
Published in print:
21 October 2021
Online ISBN:
9780191881572
Print ISBN:
9780198846413
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Most research on information and communications technology (ICT) accessibility and innovation for persons with disabilities, whether in the fields of law, tech, or development, has focused on developed regions (“Global North”) rather than developing parts of the world (“Global South”). The goal of this book is to increase awareness of ICT accessibility in developing areas, under three common themes. First, innovations created in developing states often get little attention, even though they are frequently less resource-intensive, and therefore more sustainable, than corresponding Global North solutions. Second, when Global South countries evolve their technology infrastructures (as many are doing now), it is important to avoid barriers to equal access for people with disabilities. Third, Global North design, development, and implementation techniques often will not transfer well to the Global South, and should not be applied without thought. Three international legal and policy initiatives ensuring accessibility and equal availability of ICT in developing areas are discussed: the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, and the Sustainable Development Goals. This book brings together a unique combination of authors with diverse disciplinary backgrounds (technology, law, development, and education), from non-governmental organizations that are part of the public zeitgeist (the World Wide Web Consortium and Benetech), significant United Nations entities (the World Bank and G3ict), universities in the developing world (Pakistan and Uganda) and the developed world (the United States and Norway), and Global North industrial labs innovating in the Global South (Microsoft Research, India), among others.

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