Draft ECOWAS ICT Accessibility Policy (2018) v1 post Burkina Faso and Gambia Workshops
Braille, tactile communication, large print, accessible multimedia as well as written,
audio, plain-language, human-reader and augmentative and alternative modes, means
and formats of communication, including accessible information and communication
technology.2
“Braille” is a series of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are
blind or whose eyesight is not sufficient for reading printed material.
“Broadcasting” refers to programming provided via broadcast, cable, satellite, Internet,
and programming provided on a stand-alone disc, tape or in any other removable media
format
“e -Accessibility”
is used interchangeably with “ICT accessibility” and is a
measure of the extent to which a product or service can be used by a person with a
disability as effectively as can be used by a person without that disability for purposes of
accessing or using ICT related products or services.
“Effective Communication” means any communication presented in a manner, or for
which auxiliary aids are afforded, so that the information provided is equally accessible
to individuals with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive, learning,
speech or motor disabilities. The person with disabilities shall be consulted whenever
possible to determine what type of auxiliary aid is needed to ensure effective
communication.
“Information and Communication Technology” (ICT) refers to equipment and
services related to broadcasting, computing and telecommunications, all of which
process, store and transmit information through computer and communications systems.
“Persons with disabilities” (PwD) means individuals who have long-term physical,
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers,
may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.3
“Public access” or “public access communications services” refers to electronic
communications services provided to the public, including PwD, on a stand-alone basis
through public payphones or on a shared basis through devices placed in public spaces
such as cyberlabs, internet cafés, telecentres, multipurpose community centres, kiosks,
public community internet access points and phone shops.
"Universal Design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and
services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for
2 As defined in Article 2, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
3 As defined in Article 1, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
4