International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2013
Today, December 3, is the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year’s theme is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all.” The UN says that more than 1 billion people, or roughly 15% of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. A major focus of the day is to “highlight progress and obstacles in implementing disability-sensitive policies, as well as promote public awareness to break barriers and open doors: for an inclusive society for all.”
USACM is dedicated to making computing more accessible for everyone. USACM recognizes the value of building appropriate accessibility features into the design of interfaces, platforms, and devices. Designing for accessibility has benefits well beyond better support for people with disabilities. A commitment to making technologies more accessible will pay dividends in evolving technology that can be more easily accessed – and more easily understood and used – by everyone. These advances will result in better access to important information, and broader participation in commercial and educational activities by all citizens.