It is my great pleasure to speak at the 2023 Technology Accessibility Development Conference on behalf of UNESCO and the UN Theme Group on Disability.
In our era, human interaction with technology is undergoing a radical shift, imbuing everyday tasks with newfound efficiency, flexibility, and unprecedented potential for innovation.
Digital technologies can indeed be powerful tools for information, communication, autonomy and social inclusion, when all the necessary conditions are met.
Conversely, in our increasing digitalized societies, digital exclusion is a major barrier to equality: Lack of access to digital technologies prevents persons with disabilities and other people concerned from accessing public services, education and many of the opportunities that life has to offer.
Awareness of this should spur us to act now to adopt a truly inclusive approach to the digital realm.
It is imperative to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities, and to openly discuss the topic of disabilities and the needs of persons with disabilities in the public settings. Open discussions are absolutely necessary for progress to be made.
We should keep in mind that persons with disabilities must be involved at every stage of development; and one of the most effective ways to do this is to work together with organizations of persons with disabilities, particularly those which have expertise in the field of ICT industries.
We must be alerted to the vast potential of, and urgent need for, accessible ICTs to improve quality of life and inclusion among persons with disabilities, and take actions to raise awareness and increase knowledge of information accessibility.
We encourage the ICT industry to implement Universal Design principles, the benefits of which extend not only to persons with disabilities, but also to companies by opening new market opportunities. In fact, it is also more inclusive, affordable, and often simper than developing specialized software or hardware for persons with disabilities.
In the meantime, enhancing the digital skills and competencies is equally important, so that we can empower the individuals with disabilities to gain and perceive information, to take actions, express understanding, and take a meaningful part in the digital world that is made increasing accessible for them.
Ladies and gentlemen,China is home to over 85 million persons with disabilities, and 267 million older persons aged 60 and above. Over the recent years, we have witnessed the rapid progress made by the Chinese government and stakeholders across sectors in removing the barriers in society and creating a barrier-free environment.
I am most excited to have learned that, Chinese lawmakers have been drafting legislation on the construction of barrier-free environment. Just the past month, the second draft was made open for public opinion.
I believe with the new law coming into force in the near future, with opinions solicitated from the community of persons with disabilities being taken into good consideration, it could leverage more substantial changes, further enhancing the accessibility of the living environment for everyone.
Lastly, taking this wonderful opportunity, I would like to invite all stakeholders present today to continue contributing to this important endeavor. Your continuous and sustainable support is crucial.
UNESCO and the UN system in China always stand ready to work with you.Let’s join hands to ensure a digital future that truly accommodates and benefits everyone.
With that, I wish the conference a great success. Thank you.
2023TADC丨夏泽翰教授：我们应立即采取行动，让数字世界变得真正包容
信息无障碍 2023-06-08 19:48 发表于广东
图片
小A提要
5月29日，由全国无障碍环境建设智库主办、深圳市信息无障碍研究会承办的无障碍行业高峰盛会“第五届科技无障碍发展大会（2023TADC）暨无障碍环境法治大讲堂第五讲”在北京市规划展览馆圆满举办。联合国教科文组织驻华代表处主任兼代表夏泽瀚教授为大会致辞。
*本文为夏泽瀚教授致辞内容
图：夏泽瀚教授为大会致辞
尊敬的来宾，女士们、先生们：
我非常荣幸代表联合国教科文组织和联合国残障主题小组在 2023年科技无障碍发展大会上发言。
在我们这个时代，人与技术的互动正在发生根本性的转变，这为我们的生活带来了前所未有的效率、灵活性和创新潜力。
数字技术可以成为信息、通信、自主权和社会包容的强大工具；但这些只有在所有必要条件都得到满足时才能实现。
然而，在我们日益数字化的社会，数字鸿沟是通向平等的一大障碍：缺乏对数字世界的有效链接使残障人士和其他障碍群体失去了许多公共服务、教育和生活中应得的机会。
意识到这个问题，我们就应该立即采取行动，让数字世界变得真正包容。
当务之急是让残障人士的有效发声，公开讨论残障话题和残障人士在公共场所的需求。想要取得真正的进展，我们必须要有开放的讨论。
我们要时刻牢记，技术开发的每个阶段都应有残障人士的参与；最有效的方法之一是与残障组织合作，尤其是那些在信息与通信技术领域有专业知识的组织。
无障碍信息通信技术在提高残障人士生活质量和包容性方面具有巨大潜力，残障人士对其有着迫切需求，我们必须采取行动，对信息无障碍获取提高认识、扩充知识。
我们鼓励信息通信技术行业践行通用设计原则，这不仅可以惠及残障人士，还为企业开辟了新的市场机会。事实上，通用设计在更加包容的同时也更加经济实惠，这比为残障人士单独开发专用软硬件要更简单。
与此同时，提高数字技能和能力同样重要。这将赋能残障人士获取和理解信息、进行自我表达、采取行动，在更加无障碍的数字世界中发光发热。
女士们，先生们，在中国有着超过8500万残障人士和2.67亿60岁及以上的老年人。近年来，我们见证了****和各利益相关方在消除社会障碍、建设无障碍环境方面取得的快速进展。
我非常高兴了解到，中国立法者正在起草有关无障碍环境建设的法案。就在上个月，二审稿已公开征求意见。
我相信，新的法案将在不久的将来生效，社会各界残障人士的意见将被更充分地考虑，更多实质性的改变将会发生，进一步推进每一个人生活环境的无障碍。
最后，借着这个难得的机会，我呼吁今天在场的所有利益相关方继续为这一重要事业做出贡献。您持续不断的支持是至关重要的。
联合国教科文组织和联合国驻华系统将一如既往地随时准备好与各位携手共建真正包容和惠及每个人的数字未来。
在此，我预祝大会取得圆满成功。谢谢。
图：夏泽瀚教授为大会致辞
以下为英文版致辞内容：
Honored guests,
ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to speak at the 2023 Technology Accessibility Development Conference on behalf of UNESCO and the UN Theme Group on Disability.
In our era, human interaction with technology is undergoing a radical shift, imbuing everyday tasks with newfound efficiency, flexibility, and unprecedented potential for innovation.
Digital technologies can indeed be powerful tools for information, communication, autonomy and social inclusion, when all the necessary conditions are met.
Conversely, in our increasing digitalized societies, digital exclusion is a major barrier to equality: Lack of access to digital technologies prevents persons with disabilities and other people concerned from accessing public services, education and many of the opportunities that life has to offer.
Awareness of this should spur us to act now to adopt a truly inclusive approach to the digital realm.
It is imperative to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities, and to openly discuss the topic of disabilities and the needs of persons with disabilities in the public settings. Open discussions are absolutely necessary for progress to be made.
We should keep in mind that persons with disabilities must be involved at every stage of development; and one of the most effective ways to do this is to work together with organizations of persons with disabilities, particularly those which have expertise in the field of ICT industries.
We must be alerted to the vast potential of, and urgent need for, accessible ICTs to improve quality of life and inclusion among persons with disabilities, and take actions to raise awareness and increase knowledge of information accessibility.
We encourage the ICT industry to implement Universal Design principles, the benefits of which extend not only to persons with disabilities, but also to companies by opening new market opportunities. In fact, it is also more inclusive, affordable, and often simper than developing specialized software or hardware for persons with disabilities.
In the meantime, enhancing the digital skills and competencies is equally important, so that we can empower the individuals with disabilities to gain and perceive information, to take actions, express understanding, and take a meaningful part in the digital world that is made increasing accessible for them.
Ladies and gentlemen,China is home to over 85 million persons with disabilities, and 267 million older persons aged 60 and above. Over the recent years, we have witnessed the rapid progress made by the Chinese government and stakeholders across sectors in removing the barriers in society and creating a barrier-free environment.
I am most excited to have learned that, Chinese lawmakers have been drafting legislation on the construction of barrier-free environment. Just the past month, the second draft was made open for public opinion.
I believe with the new law coming into force in the near future, with opinions solicitated from the community of persons with disabilities being taken into good consideration, it could leverage more substantial changes, further enhancing the accessibility of the living environment for everyone.
Lastly, taking this wonderful opportunity, I would like to invite all stakeholders present today to continue contributing to this important endeavor. Your continuous and sustainable support is crucial.
UNESCO and the UN system in China always stand ready to work with you.Let’s join hands to ensure a digital future that truly accommodates and benefits everyone.
With that, I wish the conference a great success. Thank you.
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