“Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression.” – (UN)
The United Nation’s Convention for Persons with Disabilities Article 21 stipulates:
Article 21 – Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice, as defined in article 2 of the present Convention, including by:
a) Providing information intended for the general public to persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a timely manner and without additional cost;
b) Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille, augmentative and alternative communication, and all other accessible means, modes, and formats of communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions;
c) Urging private entities that provide services to the general public, including through the Internet, to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities;
d) Encouraging the mass media, including providers of information through the Internet, to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities;
e) Recognizing and promoting the use of sign languages.
The Republic of Mauritius remains one of the few countries with diverse ethnicity and varying backgrounds. Where Persons with Disabilities are an integral part of the population. As the pathway to inclusion and empowerment continues, we have had Accenture and DefiMedia who got involved together in redefining accessibility to information technology.
The Media, DefiMediaGroup, and Accenture, an Irish-American professional services company, are engaged in aiding to ensure individuals with disabilities are not left behind whilst the community embraces new possibilities.
Tuesday 27th September 2022 on the eve of International Day for Universal Access to Information, Accenture Mauritius distributed 110 high-end tablets to persons with Disabilities from:
U Link – Down Syndrome Mauritius – Muscular Dystrophy Association
Individuals with Disabilities claim emotions and the social willingness for different stakeholders to empower abilities over disability. The gradual shift from empathy to empowerment shall be a reality when different stakeholders invest in means and policies to depict the abilities of individuals as their identity.
Accenture has set the milestone as a company where disability is understood and addressed as per their industry of day-to-day operations. As an international company, Accenture is set to be the reference where individuals with disability meet in a professional environment that adds to their abilities.
One major step towards improving the 3% global literacy rate of 1 Billion individuals around the world. Sustainable Development Goals 2030 shall be the highlight of empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Accenture the decisive catalyst for triggering digital literacy.
Author
Soovan Sharma DOOKHOO
An individual with disability
Soovan Sharma Dookhoo 