- Building on the objective of SDG 9, all digital development projects will be screened to ensure that they are disability sensitive including through the use of universal design and accessibility standards.
Timeframe and/or implementation plan: Achieving disability inclusion and empowerment demands transformative shifts and innovative solutions for removing structural barriers. Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities in this regard, particularly for persons with disabilities, children with disabilities, and many persons with invisible disabilities experiencing marginalization. Social innovations have the potential to serve as a powerful tool to break trends and increase the awareness, access and availability of opportunities for marginalized groups. Innovative approaches are central to delivering the SDGs for all. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled services and resources are often major elements of development projects, including initiatives to promote access to banking, expand health care, education, and income generation, strengthen disaster response and management, or access any government-related services. ICT can make previously inaccessible forms of written and spoken communication accessible to all. The multiple modes of communication can improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in an affordable way - IFC will consider initiatives that could facilitate the deployment of assistive technologies in emerging markets. IFC and DFID have agreed to fund a feasibility study to help inform how best to accelerate the deployment of assistive technologies in the emerging markets. IFC will also be introducing a category for awards on Assistive Technology as part of the Financial Times/IFC Transformational Business Awards to give greater visibility to this agenda.
Timeframe and/or implementation plan: 1 year