Accessibility Standing Group

Over 15% of the global population are people with disabilities, representing the world’s largest minority. We stand for an Internet for everyone.

The Accessibility Standing Group promotes digital rights and advocates for the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities. Digital inclusion means that persons with disabilities can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same timeframe as individuals without disabilities, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

Our goals are:

• To change the perception of accessibility across ICT
• To raise awareness about the importance of digital inclusion amongst policymakers, decision-makers, and developers through sharing knowledge about existing rules, laws, and standards to address accessibility right from the start.
• To improve digital inclusion for persons with disabilities in the Internet Society.
• To build a culture of accessibility through:
  • Partnerships with Internet Society chapters and other organizations
  • Training and mentoring, including equipping emerging leaders with disabilities to be strong advocates for improving accessibility in the Internet ecosystem.
  • Promotion and communications

Our Activities 

Disability Leadership Training

Developing and delivering disability leadership training in Internet governance and digital rights through a 2022 face-to-face pilot workshop for South Asian disability leaders in partnership with the Asia Pacific School of Internet Governance.

Accessibility Framework

Drafting an Internet Society Accessibility Framework with key Internet Society staff to build a culture of accessibility and to remove barriers to participation and engagement in Internet Society processes and practices.

Knowledge Sharing

Sharing knowledge about accessibility to the broader Internet community through webinars, speaking engagements, blog posts, and reports by developing communications campaigns to reach different stakeholders.