Draft ECOWAS ICT Accessibility Policy (2018) v1 post Burkina Faso and Gambia Workshops (7) Establish an ICT Accessibility Advisory Committee to oversee the effective implementation of this policy and to ensure the mainstreaming of disability across the ECOWAS These strategic interventions should be reflected in ECOWAS Member States’ national policies and will be supported by license conditions, regulations, codes and/or selfregulatory and voluntary initiatives as may be applicable and enforceable in a given country. 7. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITY AREAS This policy addresses the following priority areas for implementation in the next 5 years: (1) Mainstreaming e-accessibility in ICT Policy and Law amendments through inclusive language, definitions and provisions in policies, laws and regulations; and through including PwD as beneficiaries of the Universal Service and Access Fund or any other funding mechanisms or programmes relating to the ICT sector and extending the goals of universal service/access to include accessibility in addition to affordability and availability of ICT services. See section 7.1 of this Policy. (2) Increasing Participation and Representation by PWDs through promoting advocacy, debate and discourse, setting up necessary institutions, through inclusive regulation-making and public consultation processes, including through the creation of an ICT Accessibility Advisory Committee, and encouraging voluntary codes of conduct and charters. See section 7.2 of this Policy. (3) Putting in place measures and taking steps to promote ICT product and service accessibility, including mobile and public access services and facilities. Specialized telecommunications services and assistive technologies are available for PwD; however, for most PWDs within the region, these technologies are often not easily accessible nor affordable. In addition, critical services must be in place including emergency services, and relay services to enable persons with speech, hearing and mobility disabilities to communicate with the rest of society. See section 7.3 (Mobile Accessibility) and section 7.7 (Public Access) of this Policy. (4) Putting in place measures and taking steps to promote web accessibility. Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including persons with age-related disabilities. Public and private sector websites often do not include features for those with disabilities making universal access to broadband unattainable. 10