Persons with disabilities can benefit enormously from the advancement of technology, yet too many lack access to these essential tools, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities focuses on the theme, "Sustainable Development, the Promise of Technology." Technology has changed the world, Ban said, "bringing knowledge within reach and expanding a range of opportunities." The UN Secretary General added that as the international community works to develop an ambitious and inspiring post-2015 development agenda that leaves no one behind, "we must harness the power of technology for development for all." Through adaptive, assistive and inclusive technology, persons with disabilities can make the most of their potential in their communities and in the workplace, he said.
Furthermore, Ban said that employers can harness technology to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities to find productive employment and fully use their skills and capacities.
Technology can also help persons with disabilities caught up in natural disasters by making sure that critical information reaches them, he noted.
Equally important, Ban said in his message that "technology can help us include the particular needs of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness and response." He also called on sparing no effort to ensure that policies, programs, guidelines and 21st century technologies are accessible to persons with disabilities and sensitive to their perspectives and experiences.
Source: KUNA