Accessibility and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
This Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), I've been thinking about how accessibility ties in with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After all, the SDGs are all about 'leaving no one behind' and a better life for all.
15% of the world's population experience some form of disability (World Health Organization). Accessibility is a human right and has been focused on in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
For now, let's focus on how the SDGs impact persons with disabilities. “Persons with disabilities” or “disability” are specifically mentioned 11 times in the SDGs whilst also being alluded to in other areas.
The following SDGs specifically include people with disabilities:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
This SDG stands for sufficient health care for all, including persons with disabilities. A challenge here is that specialised care and assistive technology for persons with disabilities can be expensive. Access to affordable health care is of great importance. "An integral part of good health and well-being is creating a fully inclusive society." (Dr. Ally Dunhill, 2020).
SDG 4: Quality Education
Quality Education is essential for all. SDG 4 covers equal and accessible education by building inclusive learning environments and providing the needed assistance for persons with disabilities.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 8 includes promoting inclusive economic growth and full and productive employment, allowing persons with disabilities to fully access the job market. "In the global market place, businesses can compete more competitively when they have a wide and diverse range of employees." (Dunhill, 2020).
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 9 includes: creating accessible cities and resources; affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems; providing universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible, and green public spaces; and offering accessible technology and access to the internet (web accessibility). "In more general terms, ensuring accessibility requires innovations in terms of technology, construction and policy planning where people with disabilities will be able to make a great contribution by bringing their personal circumstances and lived experiences to the discussion." (Dunhill, 2020).
SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities
When I think of the SDGs and accessibility, SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities is the first SDG that comes to my mind. SDG 10 "strives to reduce inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities" (United Nations, n.d). If 15% of the world's population is being left behind, that is not fair and we need to do something to reduce this inequality.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 11 is about making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable, particularly for those who have accessibility needs. "This needs to start at the planning stages and involve people with disabilities. The needs of everyone accessing the places and spaces within cities and communities must be actively sought, considered and planned for appropriately." (Dunhill, 2020).
Whilst this is a brief summary, I trust this has given you an overview of how the SDGs tie in with accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities.
You can find out more about how the SDGs tie in with accessibility on the United Nations website.
HCD | Spatial CX | Service Design | User Research | Facilitator | Mentor ?? Currently Service Design Lead, Merchant Solutions, Everyday Business Banking CBA POWERBOARD
3 年Great article and worth referencing. Sydney is developing rather quickly with NSW Government releasing the NSW State Infrastructure Strategies and the The Greater Sydney Region Plan,?A Metropolis of Three Cities there is a real opportunity to ensure that these developments can consider accessibility early in the process so that where citizen experience is in focus, we can say, there is no separation of abilities or access and cities become more sustainable for aging population, those physically or cognitively restricted etc.. Nice summary Naomi Kroll This has brought a lot of value to my professional practice.
Business Transformation Leader | Elevating Public Sector Efficiency
3 年This is a great summary, thank you Naomi!
Head of Marketing @ Impero | Revenue Marketing | B2B SaaS | Marketing Sessions Community Lead + Women of SaaS CPH
3 年Thanks for sharing Naomi. I was just wondering about this myself on Friday, and looked up this exact information!
Travel Director at Airscape.Tours
3 年Hi Naomi I would absolutely be shamed if you beat me to do a Brisbane case study on how LGAs in Brisbane can advocate for these for the umm Brisbane Olympic games. Social policies are on the agenda for Planning Week (stting 24th of May) and I know these councils rarely get a voice on a global scale. Why don't you give it a go :) great work if you do.
Digital accessibility specialist | Service design, policy, and communications professional | Human-centred and inclusive design
3 年I love that you are able to present which of the SDGs impact people with disabilities the most. These are incidentally also the areas that I advocate for: - sustainability, responsible production and consumption which my family (husband and sons) try to live by - and in my professional and other out-of-office endeavours: working towards accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.