Accessible Technology And The Developing World

When digital content and technologies are designed in a way that is inaccessible for persons with disabilities, they are locked out of commerce, education, employment, and access to government information. In developing areas of the world, as new technical infrastructures are being built, it is especially important to ensure that accessibility is a key design goal. Unfortunately, nearly all research on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility and innovation for persons with disabilities-whether from the legal, technical, or development fields-has focused on developed countries, with very little being written about developing world initiatives. Accessible Technology and the Developing World aims to change this, by bringing increased attention to ICT accessibility in developing areas. This book brings together a unique combination of contributors with diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including authors from well-known non-governmental organizations, significant United Nations entities, and universities in both the developing and developed world. Together, they present a unique and much needed review of this critical and growing area of work, and primarily address three core themes - the lack of attention given to innovations taking place in the developing world, the need to ensure that infrastructures in the Global South do not present barriers to people with disabilities, and the need to exercise caution when applying techniques from the Global North to the Global South that won't transfer effectively. This book will be of use to researchers in the fields of civil rights, development studies, disability rights, disability studies, human-computer interaction and accessibility, human rights, international law, political science, and universal design.

When digital content and technologies are designed in a way that is inaccessible for persons with disabilities, they are locked out of commerce, education, employment, and access to government information. In developing areas of the world, as new technical infrastructures are being built, it is especially important to ensure that accessibility is a key design goal. Unfortunately, nearly all research on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility and innovation for persons with disabilities-whether from the legal, technical, or development fields-has focused on developed countries, with very little being written about developing world initiatives. Accessible Technology and the Developing World aims to change this, by bringing increased attention to ICT accessibility in developing areas. This book brings together a unique combination of contributors with diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including authors from well-known non-governmental organizations, significant United Nations entities, and universities in both the developing and developed world. Together, they present a unique and much needed review of this critical and growing area of work, and primarily address three core themes - the lack of attention given to innovations taking place in the developing world, the need to ensure that infrastructures in the Global South do not present barriers to people with disabilities, and the need to exercise caution when applying techniques from the Global North to the Global South that won't transfer effectively. This book will be of use to researchers in the fields of civil rights, development studies, disability rights, disability studies, human-computer interaction and accessibility, human rights, international law, political science, and universal design.

This book examines the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play in growth and economic development promotion, specifically for developing countries. It highlights multiple methodologies for quantifying the impact of ICTs. This includes quantitative and qualitative methods, but also novel, conclusive and informative methodological approaches for measuring ICTs influence on economic development. The book highlights trends, perspectives, and success stories for different developing countries. ICTs bring new business models, innovations, capital-labor substitution, improved goods and services to developing markets. Because they can spread rapidly, with little cost and require minimal skills for usage, ICTs create a solid background for social and economic gains. They enable significant reduction in information asymmetries, which improves access to economic activities for multitude of agents, fostering participation, inter alias in labor market of disadvantaged societal groups. After almost two decades of rapid diffusion of ICT in developing world, this book seeks to assess the real benefits and consequences of ICTs adoption in developing countries. The chapters use broad, real-world based evidence to provide a better understanding of the precise nature of new technologies and their impact of the country`s economy and society.

This book was stimulated by the third Cambridge Workshop Series on Universal Access and Assistive Technology held in April 2006; the contributors represent leading researchers in the fields of Inclusive Design, Rehabilitation Robotics, Universal Access and Assistive Technology. Contributions focus on design issues for a more inclusive world; enabling computer access and the development of new technologies; assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics; and understanding users and involving them in design.

Despite global economic disparities, recent years have seen rapid technological changes in developing countries, as it is now common to see people across all levels of society with smartphones in their hands and computers in their homes. However, does access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) actually improve the day-to-day lives of low-income citizens? This book argues that access to the internet can help alleviate poverty, improve development outcomes, and is now vital for realizing many human rights. This book posits that good governance is essential to the realization of inclusive pro-poor development goals, and puts forward policy recommendations that aim to mitigate the complex digital divide by employing governance as the primary actor. In making his argument, the author provides a quantitative analysis of developing countries, conjoined with a targeted in-depth study of Mexico. This mixed method approach provides an intriguing case for how improvements in the quality of governance impacts both ICT penetration, and poverty alleviation. Overall, the book challenges the neoliberal deterministic perspective that the open market will "solve" technology diffusion, and argues instead that good governance is the lynchpin that creates conducive conditions for ICTs to make an impact on poverty alleviation. In fact, the digital divide should not be considered binary, rather it is a multifaceted problem where income, education, and language all need to be considered to address it effectively. This book will be useful for researchers/students of development, communication technologies, and comparative politics as well as for development practitioners and policy makers with an interest in how modern technology is impacting the poor in the developing world.

Ideal for anyone who owns or makes websites: from the freelance web professional to the corporate in-house design and development department, as well as all companies and government policy makers involved in the development and maintenance of web sites for their institutions, and organizations that provide web-based services to the public. Provides practical techniques for developing completely accessible web sites with a quick reference guide to accessible web site design. This book is for all Web professionals looking for an intuitive route to adding dynamic content from databases to their sites, assuming only HTML. No theory; no philosophy – just techniques and solutions. For web professionals creating.

In recent years, many developing regions across the globe have made rigorous efforts to become integrated into the global information society. The development and implementation of information communication technology (ICT) devices and policies within various fields of service have significantly aided in the infrastructural progression of these countries. Despite these considerable advancements, there remains a lack of research and awareness on this imperative subject. Developing Countries and Technology Inclusion in the 21st Century Information Society is an essential reference source that discusses the adoption and impact of ICT tools in developing areas of the world as well as specific challenges and sustainable uses within various professional fields. Featuring research on topics such as policy development, gender differences, and international business, this book is ideally designed for educators, policymakers, researchers, librarians, practitioners, scientists, government officials, and students seeking coverage on modern applications of ICT services in developing countries.

Towards Global Action for Appropriate Technology evaluates the feasibility of establishing and implementing an international mechanism for the promotion of appropriate technology. A strategy of reorienting research and development towards the rural and small-scale urban sectors is proposed, with emphasis on ultimately building national technological capacity in developing countries. This book is comprised of six chapters and begins with an overview of concepts, definitions, and strategies, followed by a discussion on some relatively unfamiliar criteria that should be taken into account in guiding the selection of appropriate technologies, including cost and risk involved. The following chapters focus on the links between the concepts of appropriate technology and the basic needs approach to development; institutional capacity at the national and international levels; and the activities of the United Nations with regard to appropriate technology. The final chapter presents a blueprint for global action for the promotion of appropriate technology, with particular reference to small-scale capital-saving technologies that are accessible to the poor and are essential for the creation of productive employment on a sufficient scale. This monograph will be of interest to social and economic policymakers.