Over 10% of the world's population suffers from a variety of disabilities. However, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have the potential for making significant improvements in the lives of these persons.
Disability and handicap do not refer to the same issue. The term disability summarizes a great number of different functional limitations occurring in any population in any country in the world. Sometimes these disabilities are due to reasons such as wars, earthquakes or other similar events. People may be disabled by physical, intellectual or sensory impairment, medical conditions or mental illness. Such impairments, conditions or illness may be permanent or transitory in nature.
The term handicap means the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the life of the community on an equal level with others. It describes the encounter between persons with a disability and the environment, drawing attention to shortcomings in the latter. Just like a staircase is not suitable for a person in a wheelchair, comparable barriers hinder persons with disabilities to equally participate in the areas of education, communication and information.
ICTs - combined with proper methodologies - can offer individuals the ability to compensate for physical or functional limitations, thus allowing them to enhance their social and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities available to them. By collaborating with other institutions that share these concerns, UNESCO is seeking to realize the full potential of ICTs and promote education and information for all within its mandate.
The term handicap means the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the life of the community on an equal level with others. It describes the encounter between persons with a disability and the environment, drawing attention to shortcomings in the latter. Just like a staircase is not suitable for a person in a wheelchair, comparable barriers hinder persons with disabilities to equally participate in the areas of education, communication and information.
ICTs - combined with proper methodologies - can offer individuals the ability to compensate for physical or functional limitations, thus allowing them to enhance their social and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities available to them. By collaborating with other institutions that share these concerns, UNESCO is seeking to realize the full potential of ICTs and promote education and information for all within its mandate.
