September 8th is the International Literacy Day.
Literacy is the ability to read and write. Everyone has the right to be able to read and write. This day is the occasion to think about ways to make sure All information should be available in a format that is easy This way, people with intellectual disabilities would be able There are many possibilities to improve how people have access For example, Inclusion Europe is working with other partners |
September 8th was the International Literacy Day, marking the importance of this basic human right around the world.
On this occasion, Inclusion Europe would like to encourage governments, international organizations, NGOs, communities, experts, actors of the civil society and the private sector celebrating this important date to include the needs of people with intellectual disabilities in the promotion of literacy.
Even if they are often able to read and write, people with intellectual disabilities still face obstacles to access information that are easy to read and understand, preventing them from performing daily routine tasks. A better access to information, in accessible formats such as Easy-to-Read, would promote independent living and contribute to empower men and women with intellectual disabilities. Ensuring that information is accessible in alternative formats would allow everyone, including people with intellectual disabilities, to vote, use the internet in a safer way or have access to justice.
As Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, stated, “New technologies, including mobile telephones, also offer fresh opportunities for literacy for all”. Advocating for e-accessibility, Inclusion Europe is part of the “Able to Include” project, which is developing technologies to provide different alternatives to text for people with intellectual disabilities including pictograms or Easy-to-Read summaries. Such initiative will open up new possibilities in the elimination of all forms of barriers to access to information.
If you want to know more about the “Able to Include” project, click here.
If you want to know more about the Easy-to-Read format, click here.