Under its national vision for 2030, Qatar has worked diligently to build a society rooted in equity and justice across all segments.

With this aim, Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) and its Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) have focused efforts on empowering people with disabilities as well as the elderly by creating pathways to enhance their ease of access to ICTs.

This dedication reflects in the prestigious ranking Qatar has secured in the Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index 2020 (DARE Index 2020).

Qatar ranks first in the global DARE Index 2020 released by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict), MoTC announced yesterday.

DARE Index is a benchmarking tool for disability advocates, governments, civil society, international organizations and policymakers to trace country progress in making Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessible for all, in compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), MoTC explained in a statement.

Qatar has ranked first worldwide on the Digital Accessibility Rights Evaluation Index 2020 (DARE Index 2020) released by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict). #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) October 13, 2020

This is the second edition of the DARE Index.

DARE Index 2020 recognizes the progress made by 137 countries in empowering the differently-abled individuals by enhancing their digital accessibility.

The ranking secured by Qatar speaks volumes about its commitment toward people with disabilities and including them digitally.

It also demonstrates Qatar’s belief in the importance of investing in ICTs to unleash the potential of the disabled and help them enjoy independence and self-reliance, the MoTC statement adds.

Qatar topped the global ranking, the regional ranking, the Peer Economic Development Group Ranking as well as the Implementation Ranking.

Qatar was also one of the very first countries to have ratified the CRPD in 2008.

Later, the country issued several legislations and took different measures to enhance and protect the rights of the differently-abled such as engaging them in the developmental process across the country – something that reflects Qatar’s respect to its international commitments.

The MoTC statement highlights some of its initiatives in this regard that include: the launch of the Digital Inclusion Strategy to ensure no one is left behind and everyone can access to ICTs and the launch of Qatar’s e-Accessibility Policy to ensure people with disabilities across Qatar have equal access to the technologies that can enrich their lives.

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Source: MoTC