IBM public sector general manager speaks at first G3ict Forum at United Nations

On March 26, 2007 Emilie McCabe, IBM's General Manager of the Global Public Sector, delivered the Keynote Address at the first G3ict Global Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Emphasizing the imperative for inclusive information and communications technology, Ms. McCabe detailed the current trends, demographics, global economics and social pressures that are fueling the need for inclusive information and communication technologies (ICT). Also discussed was why ICT vendors need to focus on global solutions for greater accessibility and assistive technologies. Some highlights from Ms. McCabe's presentation include:

• Inhibitors affecting IT use: disability, age, non-native language speakers, literacy and novice ICT users
  
  
• 16% of the world's population or nearly 1 Billion people worldwide have a disability ¹
  
  
• By 2025 nearly 20% of the industrialized nations' population will be over 65 and may have poor vision, hearing impairments or mobility issues ¹
  
  
• In the United States, 17.9 million people speak a language other than English at home ¹
  
  

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

Designed as a two-year program to foster multi-stakeholder participation and dialogue, G3ict is supported by voluntary private sector companies.

All stakeholders from the private sector, public sector, and non-governmental organizations concerned by issues related to ICTs and persons living with disabilities are welcome to participate in its work program.

IBM is a corporate sponsor of the G3ict. Accessibility at IBM means enabling IT hardware, software and Web application products so they can be used by more people, either directly, or in combination with assistive technology products. IBM's perspective on accessibility is influenced by our roles as a developer and manufacturer, service provider, buyer of components, products and services, citizen in the community, and an employer looking to attract and retain the best talent. Focusing on accessibility better enables IBM, its customers, partners, suppliers, employees and the global community to succeed in each of our various roles.

Accessibility is supported at the highest levels inside IBM and is part of our corporate strategy of diversity. IBM's commitment to inclusion began over 90 years ago when our founder, Thomas J Watson, hired the first employee with a disability. That commitment is ongoing and has been time-tested to be a good business practice for IBM. We continue to see the business value of accessibility as a benefit not only to our employees, but also to our clients and society. Innovation in accessibility and inclusive information technology is truly innovation that matters for the world.