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A recent policy brief on shows that only 37 out of 132 Access to Information laws cater for persons with disabilities. Where reference is made to persons with disabilities and accessibility of information, the scope of the disabilities covered and the rights secured for persons with disabilities are limited, or not always clear.  Furthermore, the implementation of these laws are hindered by factors such as inadequate awareness and training around the rights of persons with disabilities and insufficient funding.

Zahid Abdullah, a Federal Information Commissioner of Pakistan, analysed challenges of the implementation of Access to Information laws for persons with disability. He called for an integrated approach to meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities, looking at the demand side of effective Access to Information legislation as well as on its  implementation.

Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner of New South Wales (Australia), Open Data Advocate and CEO of the Information and Privacy Commission focused on the intersection of law and technology. She  insisted on the importance of carrying out a diversity assessment when digital services are developed by government institutions.  She also highlighted the importance of proactive disclosure and transparency from governments on who hold the information, how access is provided and what form, to preserve information and secure access. She continued emphasizing “we need a legislation being stretched” correlated with the plethora of information and new conveyers Artificial Intelligence unleashes.

UNESCO supports inclusive policy development to harness the potential of digital technologies and the Internet. UNESCO is also the UN custodian agency for the global monitoring of SDG Indicator 16.10.2: Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information. The recent policy brief provides good practices in Access to Information laws and its implementation so that persons with disabilities can exercise their right to information. UNESCO also raise awareness about the role of technologies in empowering people with disabilities. The platform shows the empowering role of technology and the awards good examples of projects advocating for the promotion of equality and better access to information for persons with disabilities.  

The webinar entitled "How to Empower People with Disabilities Through Access to Information Laws”, concluded with a call for joint action and is one of the 4 webinars organized by UNESCO in the framework of the Global Disability Summit 2022.  The other webinars focused on “Shedding Lights on Disability Rights in the UNESCO’s Global Anti-discrimination Agenda”, “Strengthening Inclusive Education Systems through Partnerships, Planning and Capacity Building” as well as “Inclusive Education: Learnings from the GEM Reports and COVID-19”.