Guest: Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy, Director for Advocacy and Capacity Building, Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict)
Host: Jonathan Martinis, Esq., J.D., Senior Director for Law, and Policy with the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University.
Recording Date: September 12, 2022
Archive: A conversation with Mohammed Ali Loutfy
Contents
- About the 504@50 Podcast Series
- About This Episode
- Learn about Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy
- Projects of the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict)
- Disability Rights in Lebanon
- Disability Rights Around the World
- Global Web Accessibility
About the 504@50 Podcast Series
504@50 is a special interview series created in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In the series, we speak with leaders of the disability rights movement who advance the cause of equal rights through their tireless work.
The 504@50 Series is produced by the Southeast ADA Center, the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and in collaboration with the Disability Inclusive Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. Check out the Section 504@50 website at section504at50.org
About This Episode
In this episode of “504 at 50,” Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy, director of advocacy and capacity building at Global Initiative for Inclusive Innovation and Communication Technologies (G3ICT) and former executive director of Disabled People’s International, speaks to Jonathan Martinis about his experiences of becoming disabled and becoming a global disability activist. He shares his experiences of being denied admission to law school, advocating for the civil rights of people with disabilities in both his home country of Lebanon and the United States, and learning about how different countries view disability. Though the American approach to disability is often criticized, it is a vast improvement over Lebanon.
Dr. Loutfy also discusses the lessons he has learned as a blind person throughout his career, including his time at the World Bank and as Executive Director of Disabled People’s International (DPI). He emphasizes that the number of people with disabilities is increasing, and we must overhaul the current welfare systems. He describes the importance, particularly in developing countries, of disabled people having opportunities to engage in the various aspects of community development.
Learn about Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy
- Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict)
Dr. Loutfy is the Director for Advocacy and Capacity Building.
Link: g3ict.org - Dr. Loutfy – Biography
Link: neuroabilities.org/bio-entry/mohammed-ali-loutfy-phd-1 - American University Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP)
Dr. Loutfy is a Senior Doctoral Fellow at the American University Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP).
Source: American University (AU) Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP)
Link: idppglobal.org/doctoral-fellows
Projects of the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict)
- NeuroAbilities
This program explores the current state of assistive solutions based on advanced neurotechnologies, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling persons with disabilities and older adults to better interact with their environment.
Link: neuroabilities.org - Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index (DARE Index)
In its second edition, DARE Index 2020 is a benchmarking tool, developed by G3ict, 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).
Link: g3ict.org/digital-accessibility-rights-evaluation-index - DARE Academy
Learn how to create global digital accessibility with advocates and for advocates. Resources include an Academy Scholarship Fund, Webinar Series, and more.
Link: g3ict.org/dare_academy - Global Network of Digital Accessibility Champions
Link: g3ict.org/dare_academy/global-network-of-digital-accessibility-champions - International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
Link: accessibilityassociation.org/s
Disability Rights in Lebanon
- Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union
Dr. Loutfy has served as Senior Advisor on strategic policies and inclusive development at the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union.
Link: lphu.com/en/english/ - Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD)
Source: Daleel Madani
Link: daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/lebanese-union-people-physical-disabilities - Information on Lebanese Union of Persons with Physical Disabilities (LUPD)
Source: Development Assistance Roadmap Portal in the Middle East (DARPE)
Link: darpe.me/implement-entries/lebanese-union-of-people-with-physical-disabilities-lupd/#:~:text=Overview,led%20by%20people%20with%20disabilities - Lebanon: Rights of People with Disabilities (PwDs) – Law 220 -2000 [Download File]
Text of a disability rights law that passed in Lebanon in May of 2000.
Source: Disability Hub
Link: disability-hub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Law-220-2000-English.docx - Report: Disability and Access to Information in Lebanon [PDF]
Source: Article 19 (May 31, 2015)
Link: article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/37983/Disability-and-access-to-information-in-Lebanon,-31-May-2015,-English.pdf - United Nations (UN) News and Information about Lebanon
Source: United Nations Higher Commission on Human Rights
Link: ohchr.org/en/countries/lebanon - “I Would Like to Go to School” Barriers to Education for Children with Disabilities in Lebanon
Summary report published in 2018 by Human Rights Watch.
Source: Right to Education
Link: right-to-education.org/resource/i-would-go-school-barriers-education-children-disabilities-lebanon-summary
Disability Rights Around the World
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Resources
It is observed worldwide on December 3 each year.
Source: Southeast ADA Center
Link: adasoutheast.org/events-calendar/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities - ADA Live Podcast: A Day for All: International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Resources
Source: Southeast ADA Center (December 2, 2020)
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-88
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-88-resources-a-day-for-all-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities - ADA Live Podcast: Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Global Perspective with Ambassador Luis Gallegos of Ecuador | Resources
Source: Southeast ADA Center (November 6, 2019)
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-74
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-74-resources - United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Link: un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html - UNESCO Launches Tools to Promote Disability-Inclusive Responses to COVID-19
Last update on April 21, 2022.
Source: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Link: unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-launches-tools-promote-disability-inclusive-responses-covid-19 - Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI)
Dr. Loutfy served as Executive Director of Disabled People’s International – Arab Region and the Arab Forum for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Link: dpi.org - Arab Forum for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Organization Facebook page.
Link: facebook.com/AFRPD.DPIarab - International Disability Alliance
Link: internationaldisabilityalliance.org - Toolkit on Disability for Africa
Source: United Nations (November 2016)
Link: un.org/development/desa/dspd/2016/11/toolkit-on-disability-for-africa-2 - High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes
One of five conference themes was “Youth in their diversity,” including the participation of marginalized groups such as LGBTIQ+ youth and youth with disabilities.
Source: United Nations – Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY) (January 2022)
Link: un.org/youthenvoy/doha2022 - Disability Data Advocacy Toolkit [PDF]
Source: CBM Global Disability Inclusion (November 2020)
Link: cbm-global.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DisabilityData_advocacytoolkit_accessible.pdf - World Bank Disability Inclusion Overview
Link: worldbank.org/en/topic/disability - World Bank Disability Inclusion and Accountability Framework
Link: documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/437451528442789278/disability-inclusion-and-accountability-framework - World Institute on Disability
Established in 1983 by Judy Heumann and other activists as one of the first global disability rights organizations founded and continually led by people with disabilities.
Link: wid.org - The Valuable 500
A global group of 500 CEOs and their companies made a commitment to action for disability inclusion. They are now beginning to work together as a collective, to drive system change.
Link: thevaluable500.com - Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities
Report available to download, with related information.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) (December 2, 2022)
Link: www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240063624 - Launch of the WHO Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities
A launch event video, transcripts, press release, and other information are available.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) (December 2, 2022)
Link: who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/12/02/default-calendar/launch-of-the-who-global-report-on-health-equity-for-persons-with-disabilities
Global Web Accessibility
- ADA Live Podcast – Episode 65: Web Accessibility in a Nutshell | Resources
Source: Southeast ADA Center (February 6, 2019)
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-65
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-65-resources - W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0
International web content accessibility standards.
Source: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Link: w3.org/TR/WCAG20 - World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Link: w3.org - Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network (GLADNET)
Link: gladnet.org - Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
The next celebration of GAAD is on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Link: accessibility.day - M-Enabling Summit 2022
The 2022 Summit was held on October 24-26, in Washington, D.C. With its theme of “Digital Inclusion: Strategies for Equal Opportunities,” the 2022 M-Enabling Summit explored the latest innovations and major trends in business, government and education that are accelerating the pursuit of universal accessibility for digital products, contents, and services.
Link: m-enabling.com
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Visit the Section 504@50 website at: section504at50.org
The 504@50 Series is produced by the Southeast ADA Center, the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and in collaboration with the Disability Inclusive Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.