The DARE Index - Monitoring the Progress of Digital Accessibility around the World - A Research Conducted by Advocates for Advocates

Abstract

It is not sufficient to simply express the goal of improved digital access for people with disabilities, without properly monitoring the progress towards those goals. This keynote speech describes the Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation (DARE) index, which is coordinated by the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ICT). The DARE index is a benchmarking tool, for disability advocates, governments, civil society, international organizations and policy makers to trace country progress in making Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessible for all, in compliance with Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The DARE Index measures three categories of variables in each country: country commitments (legal, regulatory, policies and programs), country capacity to implement (organization, processes, resources) and actual digital accessibility outcomes for persons with disabilities in 10 areas of products and services. Data is collected in close cooperation with Disabled People's International (DPI) and persons with disabilities worldwide, considering their best position to assess and report on digital accessibility matters in their respective countries. This keynote speech for ASSETS 2021 describes the DARE index and the most recent data collected in the DARE index in 2020, and highlights how the DARE index can be used to support digital accessibility research.