University Professor Blanck to participate in U.N. Global Initiative for ICT and Development’s first Global Forum

University Professor Blanck to participate in U.N. Global Initiative for ICT and Development’s first Global ForumMarch 26, 2007Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

Peter Blanck, University Professor and chair of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University (BBI), will participate in the first Global Forum of the United Nations Global Initiative for ICT and Development (G3ict) on Monday, March 26, at U.N. Headquarters in New York. The forum will examine the future of accessible communication technologies for persons with disabilities.

“I am honored to participate in this important meeting on accessible communication technologies for persons with disabilities held at the United Nations,” says Blanck. “The Burton Blatt Institute is examining this crucial area in its research, educational and outreach activities at Syracuse University, and with other national and international partners.”

Blanck will speak on a panel regarding legislation, regulations, procurement rules and enforcement. Participants will address how the public sector can best contribute to fostering greater awareness, innovation and compliance. Panelists include government representatives from around the world. Each will present his or her own perspective with best practice examples and suggested recommendations for legislative and regulatory enforcement. The framework of the Digital Inclusion Index, measuring countries’ inclusiveness from an information and communication technology (ICT) standpoint, will be presented at the panel’s conclusion.

“Reducing the digital divide facing people with disabilities around the world will help to advance human rights for all,” says Maria Veronica Reina, director of international programs for BBI and a major force behind the 2006 U.N. Convention on Disability Rights.

SU College of Law Dean Hannah Arterian agrees: “The College of Law and BBI are engaged in developing broad partnerships that further this area of disability civil rights and that enhance the educational mission of the law school and the University.”

A flagship partnership initiative of the Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID), G3ict is headed by the Wireless Internet Institute (W2i), in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Designed as a two-year program to foster multi-stakeholder participation and dialogue, G3ict is supported by voluntary contributions from private sector companies. The initiative has participating parties representing ICT vendors and major users of ICTs in industry and the public sector (international institutions, organizations and government). For more information, visit http://www.g3ict.com.

BBI takes its name from Burton Blatt, a pioneer in humanizing services for people with disabilities, staunch advocate of deinstitutionalization and national leader in special education. With its multiple satellite offices and partners, BBI works nationally and internationally to advance the civic, economic and social participation of persons with disabilities by fostering public-private dialogue and building the capacity to transform policy, systems and people through inclusive education, the workforce and communities. For more information, visit http://bbi.syr.edu.