Draft ECOWAS ICT Accessibility Policy (2018) v1 post Burkina Faso and Gambia Workshops Standards must be put in place to promote accessibility by PWD to online content. See section 7.4 of this Policy. (5) Putting in place measures and taking steps to promote broadcasting accessibility, whether broadcasting is delivered on an analogue or digital platform. Broadcasting accessibility covers television, radio and electronic programming guides and is key as television is mentioned explicitly in article 30(1) (b) of the UNCRPD. It is addresses access by the deaf or hard of hearing; blind or low vision users; those with cognitive disabilities; and persons with physical disabilities to broadcasting services. See section 7.5 of this Policy. (6) Putting in place measures and taking steps to support accessible procurement policies for both public and private sector organizations to give priority or preference to accessible or universal design technologies. See section 7.6 of this Policy. 7.1 Mainstream e-accessibility in ICT policy and law amendments Many countries in the region are in the process of amending their telecommunications, broadcasting or ICT policy and/or legislation to address issues such as convergence and the introduction of broadband. This ECOWAS ICT Accessibility policy shall be used as a basis to inform Member State new ICT policies and laws and to ensure that, in that process of reviewing their legal and policy instruments, key amendments to promote accessibility are incorporated into new laws. Alternatively, where laws and policies are not already under review, Member States may initiate amendment processes to their existing laws specifically to promote e-accessibility and harmonize its definitions throughout all the legislations regarding ICTs’ as well as human rights and inclusion. In developing legislation, regulations or implementing “soft law” strategies, the involvement of organizations of PwD is crucial. The ECOWAS and its Member States will use effective communications and will also introduce the use of accessible publication formats in all of its processes; it will, importantly, increase awareness of the methods and benefits of accessible publishing. Accessible publishing will enable PWD relating to sight to access official ECOWAS documentation, and in each country will enable them to access all government documents. This will enable equal access to information and thus facilitate equal participation by PWD in society. 7.2 Promoting effective participation and increasing representation by PWDs ECOWAS Member States shall be responsible for effective implementation of the relevant aspects of the policy through their relevant Ministries’ mandates. It is the duty of government to ensure the full realization of the rights of PWDs. 11