As the world marked International Day for Universal Access to Information on Saturday, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) urged governments in the Global South to enhance access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for persons with disabilities.
This improvement is essential for ensuring equal access to information, the organisation said.
It added that while access to information is a globally recognised human right, the realisation of this right remains a significant challenge for persons with disabilities.
According to the organisation, this issue persists despite commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to “reach the furthest behind first” and “leave no one behind.”
PIN notes that while at least 29 countries in Africa have established access to information laws, Unesco has recommended that any amendments or new laws must explicitly recognise the rights of persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.
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The UN agency, further calls for mandatory minimum accessibility standards and an accessible process for requesting information.
“This recommendation came following a study by Unesco which evaluated access to information laws in 132 countries and found that 37 explicitly refer to persons with disabilities and their rights to varying degrees,” PIN states.
It adds that despite the availability of the Universal Service Fund (USF), governments have been slow to allocate funding for the development and access to ICTs and assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.
A report by PIN highlights the application of the USF in 26 African countries and recommends the enactment and implementation of relevant policies to ensure digital inclusion for persons with disabilities.
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“This call also comes at a time when, globally, persons with disabilities, including children with learning difficulties, have limited access to educational information.
“They face significant barriers to education because traditional learning methods usually do not cater to their unique needs, leading to frustration, disengagement and a higher risk of dropping out of school,” PIN explains.
PIN is a non-profit organisation “that shapes policy, defends rights and builds capacity in the digital environment towards a digitally inclusive and rights-respecting world.”
In Malawi, while the Access to Information (ATI) Act exists, there are calls for its full implementation, which is still said to be lacking.
Meanwhile, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi has urged local councils to adopt a culture of proactive information disclosure to promote transparency, accountability and active citizen participation in development and governance processes.
A statement signed by Misa Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga says the disclosure and dissemination of information are vital for good governance and are prerequisites for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“In Malawi, the legal and policy landscape encourages citizen participation in development and governance, but citizens cannot engage in decision-making processes without access to credible and relevant information,” it adds.
Misa Malawi further notes that, due to decentralisation, billions of Kwacha from the national budget and donor funds are directed to local councils and that most development initiatives are now decided at the local level, making transparency and accountability essential for the councils.
However, the Institute notes that many city, town, municipal and district councils have yet to fully embrace and integrate the ATI Act into their operations.
“Most local councils have not appointed or designated information officers in line with the ATI Act, and many lack proactive means of disclosing information, such as indigenous systems, websites or social media platforms,” Misa Malawi says.
To raise awareness about the importance of access to information, the UN General Assembly designated September 28 as International Day for Universal Access to Information.
