Accelerating the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan’s Digital Economy J U N E 20 24 © 2024 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work is a product of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. 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Accelerating the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan. © World Bank.” Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e‑mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Cover design: Alejandro Espinosa Mejia AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Contents Contents 4 Abbreviations 5 Definitions and Concepts 6 Acknowledgments 7 Executive Summary Findings 7 Accelerating Inclusion 8 10 1. Introduction 12 2. Methodology 14 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan 3.1. Legislative and regulatory landscape 14 3.2. Growth and opportunities in the digital economy 15 3.3. ICT sector challenges 17 19 4. Experiences of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities 4.1. Access by type of disability 19 4.2. Affordability 20 4.3. Challenges in rural areas 21 4.4. Participation in policy dialogue 21 22 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities 5.1. Recommended actions 24 5.2. Financial Resources and Business Model Options 27 33 6. Conclusion: Proposed Interventions and Next Steps 35 Annex 1: Global Good Practices Enabling Government 35 Investing in People 37 46 Annex 2: Project Methodology 3 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Abbreviations Abbreviations ADPU Association of Disabled Persons of Uzbekistan AT Assistive Technologies CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities GoU Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan ICT Information and Communication Technologies IT Information Technology ITU International Telecommunication Union NDS New Uzbekistan Development Strategy 2022–2026 OPD Organization of Persons with Disabilities UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund WHO World Health Organization 4 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Definitions and Concepts Definitions and Concepts The following definitions are used in this report: Assistive products (AP). APs are defined by the World Health Organization1 as “any external product (including devices, equipment, instruments, or software), especially produced or generally available, the primary purpose of which is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, and thereby promote their well-being.” Assistive technology (AT). AT is defined by the World Health Organization) as “the application of organized knowledge and skills related to assistive products, including systems and services.” Digital inclusion. In this report, digital inclusion covers the concepts of access, adoption, and use of digital technologies, data, and services, and supporting participation in the digital economy by all, including persons with disabilities. Digital economy. As defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the digital economy incorporates all economic activity reliant on, or significantly enhanced by the use of digital inputs, including digital technologies, digital infrastructure, digital services, and data. It refers to all producers and consumers, including government, that are utilizing these digital inputs in their economic activities. Persons with disabilities. As articulated in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Information and communication technology (ICT). The term ICT applies to diverse technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information such as radio, television, cellular phones, computers, satellite systems as well as network hardware and software and associated services.2 . Accessible digital technologies for persons with disabilities. This technology includes hardware (such as magnification devices and e-book readers for persons with disabilities), software (such as screen readers), and mobile applications to enhance functional access to content and communication, including voice recognition, magnification, object recognition, and apps for alternative and augmentative communication. 1 WHO. 2016. Priority Assistive Products List. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/207694/WHO_EMP_PHI_2016.01_eng.pdf?sequence=1 2 UNESCO Institute of Statistics.w2009 Guide to measuring information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. https://unesdoc. unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000186547 5 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Acknowledgments Acknowledgments This study and resulting report were funded by a grant from the World Bank’s Human Rights, Inclusion, and Empowerment Trust Fund. The report was prepared by a World Bank team led by Deepti Samant Raja and Mikhail Bunchuk with support from Gulrano Tlepova, Sandjar Saidkhodjaev, Nisso Babakulova, and Shakhnoza Rakhmankulova, under the overall guidance of Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, Varalakshmi Vemuru, and Michel Rogy. The World Bank partnered with the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict) to design and conduct the research for the study. The research team comprised of Axel Leblois, Mohammed Loutfy, Monica Duhem, Bela Tumasova, Anatoliy Popko, Oybek Pulatov, and Askar Akbarov. The team is grateful for feedback from our peer reviewers Sandra Sargent, Marina Novikova, Alicia Hammond, and Harmonie Kobanghe Langazo. The team wishes to thank Marco Mantovanelli, World Bank Country Manager, Uzbekistan for his strong support throughout this study. The team is grateful for the guidance received from Gulnora Kamilova and Shakhnoza Ayupova from the country management unit. We sincerely thank Abror Yuldashev (Ministry of Digital Technologies, Uzbekistan), Madina Tagaeva (IT Park), and Makhliyo Muksinova (IT Park). The report was designed by Alejandro Espinosa Mejia. 6 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Executive Summary Executive Summary The rapidly evolving digitalization in Uzbekistan is expanding opportunities to bolster an inclusive digital economy. Uzbekistan’s New Development Strategy and the 2030 Digital Strategy highlight the prominence of investments in the digital economy as a main driver of Uzbekistan’s economic development. Persons with disabilities face several barriers to obtaining equal access and successfully participating in the labor market, including the digital economy. In 2019, only 8.9 percent of men and 4.4 percent of women with disabilities ages 16–59 and 16–54, respectively, were officially employed in Uzbekistan (7.1 percent overall).3 In 2023, the World Bank approved the US$50 million Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project, which will expand access to skills and employment opportunities in the digital economy, with a focus on women and persons with disabilities. Building digital skills and literacy for persons with disabilities is critical for persons with disabilities to learn, consume digital services, and access jobs. A study was undertaken to leverage these opportunities by identifying gaps in the digital inclusion for persons with disabilities to be addressed through policy and programmatic interventions. Using findings from a field study, the report addresses how digital sector development strategies and efforts by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan (GoU) and other stakeholders can advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the digital economy. This study was undertaken to identify gaps in digital inclusion for persons with disabilities and inform policy and programmatic interventions. The report addresses two main lines of inquiry: (i) access to and consumption of digital services and content by persons with disabilities; and (ii) opportunities for persons with disabilities to undertake digital work. Findings Institutional. Enabling factors identified include reforms in the regulatory environment, including the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), constitutional acknowledgment of disability rights, and government-sponsored projects to advance digital opportunities for persons with disabilities. However, there are still gaps in the country’s legal framework (Law 641 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), including the dominance of a medical approach to providing benefits that can result in insufficient and fragmented coverage of necessary services. Digital economy and employment. The study revealed certain challenges for the digital inclusion and digital economic participation of persons with disabilities, including: a lack of opportunities to gain digital skills and digital literacy; prevailing stigma and attitudes that hinder digital labor market inclusion; extremely low representation of persons with disabilities in the ICT sector; and their potential exclusion due to the lack of availability and affordability of AT. Access to affordable internet services, especially broadband, poses a significant barrier. 3 World Bank. 2022. Country Profile – Uzbekistan. Washington, DC: World Bank. 7 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Executive Summary Digital accessibility and user experience. Persons with different types of disabilities (mobility, hearing, visual, and intellectual) face different challenges in access to IT training, computer usage, and the IT job market. Common challenges include the lack of AT in the Uzbek language and the affordability of ICTs for persons with disabilities. Experiences also depend on urban and rural settings. Persons with disabilities from rural areas face additional challenges due to a lack of digital skills and limited information about AT. Accelerating Inclusion The study provides concrete recommendations to the GoU, with a focus on enabling government, investing in people, and supporting employers. Enabling an inclusive regulatory framework: Foster an inclusive and accessible digital environment through revisions in the regulatory framework. This would require mapping specific policies and actions to embed concepts that offer CRPD-compliant digital accessibility enablers. International good practices and existing guidelines for CRPD digital accessibility implementation can guide the design of regulatory revisions. Bolstering digital skills of persons with disabilities: Persons with disabilities should have equal opportunities to cultivate digital skills that enable them to be consumers and, if desired, creators of digital content. Embedding digital literacy through the education system for persons with disabilities will mitigate against a high skills gap as they enter the labor market. In addition, inclusive digital skills training programs can open up opportunities to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities in the digital economy. Supporting employers to implement inclusive workplaces: Here the objective is to build demand- side capacity, provide technical support, and foster know-how among digital employers in providing inclusive workspaces and workplace accommodations. Inclusive employment should focus on establishing career paths for persons with disabilities rather than a one-off job placement. The report recommends the development of an Uzbek Job Accommodation and Accessibility Center of Expertise to bring together knowledge and technical assistance for employers. Initiatives to address internet affordability: Internet and mobile service providers should be encouraged to develop alternative tariffs and pricing plans for subscribers with disabilities that take into consideration the specific accessibility needs of particular individuals. For instance, a tariff for subscribers with hearing disabilities could include a plan with greater allowances for minutes used to access SMS and mobile internet services than minutes used for voice telephone communication, given that these individuals tend to use text messaging rather than voice conversations. Partnerships to expand AT availability: Invest and nurture a local AT market by enhancing potential partnership initiatives with local and international technology companies to ensure the availability of localized AT solutions. The report presents potential funding strategies based on international case studies. Finally, it gives an overview of successful practices from Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Estonia, France, India, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Tunisia, and the United States. 8 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Executive Summary The report suggests various financing and business models based on good practices observed globally that have achieved progress in promoting the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities while relying on such funding and business models. These include: ● Promoting telecom, broadband, and services usage among persons with disabilities, including digital literacy, through an Uzbekistan universal service fund based on levies on telecom revenues. ● Financing the digital training of persons with disabilities seeking employment and the technical support of employers for hiring and accommodating persons with disabilities through contributions made by companies failing to hire Uzbekistan’s national quota of employees with disabilities. ● Developing economies of scale for the centralized AT procurement and support in coordination with the ministries overseeing the education, health and rehabilitation, and employment sectors. ● Exploring essential localization strategies for Uzbek-language solutions with partnership strategies. ● Participating in international cooperation on AT and fundraising among international donors focused on disability inclusion. 9 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 1. Introduction Digitalization is evolving rapidly in Uzbekistan, with 77 percent of the population using internet in 2021.4 In 2021, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan (GoU) launched its New Uzbekistan Development Strategy 2022–2026 (NDS) with an ambitious goal of cutting poverty in half. Under the NDS, the GoU plans to increase the size of its digital economy by at least 2.5x to serve as a primary economic driver for the country. This goal is also supported through the launch of the Digital Strategy 2030 and investments of US$2 million in the ICT sector over the past five years. Presidential Resolution PP#-357 (“On measures to raise the ICT sector to a new level for 2022-2023”), adopted in August 2022,5 includes a number of targets and support measures to promote employment in the digital economy (especially for youth), including IT startups, business process outsourcing firms, and freelancing. The GoU is undertaking several initiatives to realize this vision. It is striving to enhance local and foreign investments in the digital sector. It has rolled out incentives to encourage national internet and mobile phone service providers to offer discounted packages to local customers. Moreover, the GoU has pursued new policies that aim to loosen legislative and regulatory restrictions imposed on foreign investors planning to create businesses that would contribute to the development of the telecommunications sector in Uzbekistan. Equal access to information and communication is critical to the ability of persons with disabilities to achieve independence, productivity, and integration into society. Equitable economic growth requires that the GoU and its development partners take inclusive approaches in ensuring that all persons across demographic groups can benefit from and participate in the new digital economy and address the risk of a widening digital divide. According to the World Bank report entitled “Technical Note on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan,”6 persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan experience limited access to information and communications technology (ICT). Inaccessible digital products and services create challenges for persons with disabilities when trying to access health care, education, or other services. Uzbekistan has an opportunity to eliminate some of these challenges by implementing measures that can achieve digital transformation while ensuring accessibility. Persons with disabilities face several barriers to obtaining equal access and successfully participating in the labor market, including the digital economy. In 2019, only 8.9 percent of men and 4.4 percent of women with disabilities ages 16–59 and 16–54, respectively, were officially employed in Uzbekistan (7.1 percent overall).7 4 World Bank. 2024. Individuals using the Internet (% of population). World Bank Data. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS 5 Original text available at https://lex.uz/uz/pdfs/6166539. 6 World Bank, Technical Note on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group, http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099051823030041628/P1783520c7133306c082d50f566673af55c. 7 World Bank. 2022. Country Profile – Uzbekistan. Washington, DC: World Bank. 10 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 1. Introduction The strong demand for digital services within and outside the country will increase digital job opportunities and vacancies. Building digital skills and literacy for persons with disabilities will allow people who are vulnerable to discrimination to apply, consume, gain experience, learn, and access jobs. Often, digital economies offer more flexible working environments that are necessary to address multiple pressures and limitations. Digital technologies have changed the world of work, in terms of building skills, performing work tasks, communicating with customers and colleagues, and selling products and services in the market, among others. This raises new and promising opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage in the labor market as a result of the parallel trends and innovations in the accessibility of digital technologies for persons with disabilities.8 Harnessing the digital economy’s potential to benefit persons with disabilities requires deliberate investments and attention to removing the barriers that prevent them from accessing and using digital technologies. In addition to the NDS and the Digital Strategy, the World Bank approved the US$50 million Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project in 2023, which will expand access to skills and employment opportunities in the digital economy, with a focus on women and persons with disabilities. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), while in 2018 only 13.6 percent of the population of Uzbekistan had basic digital skills and 6.8 percent of the population had standard digital skills, these figures rose to 14 percent and 8 percent, respectively, in 2020.9 This study was undertaken to identify gaps in the digital inclusion for persons with disabilities and inform policy and programmatic interventions. The report addresses two main lines of inquiry: (i) access to and consumption of digital services and content by persons with disabilities; and (ii) opportunities for persons with disabilities to undertake digital work. 8 D.S. Raja. 2016. Bridging the Disability Divide through Digital Technologies. WDR 2016 Background Paper. Washington, DC: World Bank. https:// thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/123481461249337484-0050022016/original/WDR16BPBridgingtheDisabilityDividethroughDigitalTechnologyRAJA. pdf 9 ITU, “Digital Development Dashboard,” https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Dashboards/Pages/Digital-Development.aspx. 11 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 2. Methodology The study was conducted as a rapid assessment and overview of the landscape for the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan. Specifically, research questions covered the following: i. Access to and consumption of digital services and content by persons with disabilities ● Recognition of disability needs in the legislative framework for the digital sector. ● Engagement of persons with disabilities and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in decision-making processes regarding digital inclusion issues. ● The extent to which digital infrastructure considers requirements for the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities, in both urban and rural areas, on an ongoing basis. ● Programs and discounted services for disability inclusion by digital service providers. ii. Opportunities for persons with disabilities to undertake digital work. ● Opportunities available for persons with disabilities to enhance their employability for entering the digital job market and to enable them to participate actively in the country’s digital economy. ● The size of the AT market in Uzbekistan and the extent to which this technology is made available and affordable for persons with disabilities. Data for this study was collected through a literature review, key informant interviews, and focus groups of persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan. Comprehensive desk research involved reviewing Uzbekistan’s legislation, analyzing around 20 global best practices related to digital inclusion and recommendations for strategies and next steps. The review covered relevant legislation, regulations, and policies that form the overall implementation framework for both the digital component of the NDS and the Uzbekistan Digital Strategy 2030. The study commenced with a consultation of OPDs in Uzbekistan. The team made two field visits, which consisted of 12 one-on-one interviews and 3 focus groups. Each focus group consisted of around 15 participants (total 45), including both women and men with different types of disabilities, although the groups had a higher representation of persons with visual and mobility disabilities. One focus group was conducted in a rural area. 12 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 2. Methodology Key informant interviews included representatives of the following stakeholder groups: ● Five OPDs that focus on disability diversity. This included the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan (ADPU), an umbrella organization of 42 OPDs present in all almost regions of Uzbekistan; the Society of the Blind; the Society of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Inklyuziv Jamiyat (“Inclusive Society”), an organization of women with disabilities); and Sharoit Plus (“Conditions Plus”), an organization focusing on employment for persons with disabilities). ● Three government ministries: the Ministry of Digital Development, Ministry of Higher Education, and Ministry of Investment, and IT Park, an agency launched by Go To Act as an incubator for ICT enterprise startups. ● Two private sector telecommunication companies and three startups at IT Park. ● International development partners such as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and USAID. The team worked with a network of global experts to identify global good practices to shape recommendations for the study. The study has some limitations. Data on persons with disabilities and their access to and use of digital technology, computers, and AT in Uzbekistan are limited. Despite outreach efforts, there was limited representation of some disability groups in the qualitative interviews. In particular, it was difficult to include persons with intellectual and developmental or psychosocial disabilities. The prevailing social stigmatization of intellectual and psychosocial disabilities continues to impact social exposure for persons with these types of disabilities. In addition, reflections during the consultation showed that there is a need for higher awareness of the relevance of digital jobs and digital skills for persons with disabilities, in particular intellectual disabilities. Annex 2 provides details on the methodology and data collection. 13 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan 3.1. Legislative and regulatory landscape The Constitution of Uzbekistan recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to inclusion and a barrier-free environment. Uzbekistan signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009 and ratified it in 2021. As a preliminary step to complying with the CRPD’s principles and articles, on February 15, 2020, the president adopted several resolutions and acts in 2020 .10 OPDs such as the ADPU and its members played a pivotal role in the push to ratify the Convention and adopt Law 641. One concern observed in this review is that Law 641 lacks definitions crucial to achieving full disability inclusion (for example, what constitutes a “disability” or a “reasonable accommodation”) and affords only narrow coverage, leaving implementation open to differences of interpretation and gaps in the civil and political liberties of persons with disabilities. The law covers several sectors, including education, employment, and ICT. Article 26 on ICT addresses several State obligations: ● The State shall guarantee persons with disabilities the right to receive information intended for the general public in accessible formats and to use technologies that take into account different forms of disability. ● The State shall promote the use of sign language and other alternative forms of communication as a means of communication between people. 10 The following regulatory acts were adopted: 1. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the statistical recording of the life activities of persons with disabilities. 2. Presidential decree on improving state policy in the field of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. 3. Law on the rights of persons with disabilities. 4. Presidential decree on supporting enterprise of public organizations of persons with disabilities. 5. Act on additional measures for material support of population in need of social protection and assistance. 6. Act on the approval of the regulations on the procedure for admission of persons with disabilities to higher educational institutions under additional quotas provided by the government grant. 7. Act on organizational measures to stimulate employment of socially vulnerable population groups. 8. Act on additional measures for government support of organizations, such as societies of persons with disabilities, as well as providing employment support for persons with disabilities. 9. Act on additional measures for the comprehensive support of persons with disabilities, providing employment assistance and further increasing social activity. 14 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan ● The State shall ensure that persons with disabilities have access to television programs, films, theater, and other cultural events in accessible formats. State TV channels shall broadcast news programs with sign language interpretation or subtitles. ● The State shall ensure the publication of fiction, school textbooks, other didactic materials and teaching aids using alternative forms of communication (Braille and audio versions). ● State bodies and organizations shall be obliged to create additional opportunities for persons with disabilities to access information posted on their official websites. ● State bodies and organizations shall take into account compliance with the accessibility criteria for all categories of persons with disabilities in the implementation of State orders for the public procurement of information and communication equipment and information support. ● Whenever necessary, State bodies and organizations shall hire a sign language interpreter under contract to ensure communication between a representative of that State body or organization and a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. Digital inclusion requires investments in disability-inclusive education, digital literacy, and skills. Article 38 of Law 641 addresses various rights of persons with disabilities in respect of the education system. It also stresses the value of inclusive advanced and vocational education, distance learning, and exposure to technology. Initiatives to implement the law are seen through efforts such as ensuring access to ATM machines by persons with visual disabilities. Another example is advocating to secure sponsorship for the development of a speech synthesizer in the Uzbek language. Relying on Law 641, the president of Uzbekistan issued several decrees, including one on the right to ICT accessibility and another on a government-sponsored project for the development of a speech synthesizer11 in Uzbek for persons with visual disabilities. Currently, speech synthesizers in Uzbekistan are only available in Russian. The Ministry of Technology Development is working alongside OPDs to ensure that the Uzbek-language speech synthesizer will be launched and made available for all end users, including those that speak other languages.12 3.2. Growth and opportunities in the digital economy The GoU has a bold vision to strengthen the digital economy as a driver for economic growth and is working on an enabling environment for local and foreign private sector investment. Results from the second Tashkent International Investment Forum 2023 show that agreements in the year totaled US$11 billion, up significantly up from the 105 documents totaling US$7.8 billion that had been signed at the Investment Forum in 2022.13 In addition, on January 27, 2022, the president issued Resolution 104, creating an exemption from taxes for equipment, software, materials, and spare parts imported by telecommunications operators for the development of the communication infrastructure in the country.14 11 Computational Linguistics: A Step Towards Development. Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature. https://compling.navoiy-uni. uz/index.php/conferences/COMPUTER-LINGUISTICS. 12 An exact time estimate of when production of the synthesizer would be finalized is not yet available. 13 Investment Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Results of the Second Tashkent International Investment Forum 2023. https://invest.gov.uz/mediacenter/news/results-of-the-second-tashkent-international-investment- forum-2023/. 14 Original text available at https://lex.uz/uz/docs/5840286. 15 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan These measures taken by GoU have had positive outcomes on increasing the rate of employment in the digital economy in the country. Similarly, the GoU-developed plan for expanding the pool and capacity of ICT human resources has resulted in more opportunities for Uzbek citizens, particularly youth and women, in the ICT job market. For example, in 2022, in partnership with the government, the company ZTE inaugurated the Digital Skills Center for Women and Youth in the capital city of Tashkent, which sought to contribute to the achievement of Uzbekistan’s objectives to attract women and youth in the ICT sector, offer them professional IT training, and improve the overall level of digital literacy in Uzbekistan—all high priorities for the country. Facilities and systems of support have been created to help set up ICT startups as well. In Uzbekistan, IT Park, a technology park operating under the Ministry for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications, serves as a hub for information technology, encompassing facilities and structures to support the initiation and market entry of innovative startup projects. Established in Tashkent in 2019, it hosts 205 IT centers, 34 university incubation centers, and 680 resident IT companies. Adopting standards of accessibility for the built environment through its IT training centers spread across the country, IT Park has opened its training programs particularly for persons with physical disabilities. To date, 70 young women with disabilities and sponsored by UNICEF have benefited from IT Park’s training program. However, the agency’s leadership is aware that its training programs need additional accommodations to be fully inclusive for persons with disabilities. IT Park has shown a clear interest in exploring ways of enhancing its IT trainers’ educational capacity and in ensuring that they are professionally certified in different aspects of digital accessibility. To achieve the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in its startups (often referred to as IT Park’s “residents”), leaders of IT Park recognize that they must accommodate the needs of these individuals through both its employment opportunities and its operations and services. For example, as an international company headquartered in the United States and one that has policies designed to achieve diversity and inclusion policy, EPAM Systems reports that it strives to implement accessibility standards when developing engineering solutions for its customers.15 Similarly, MAAB Innovations states that it is aware of the needs of persons with disabilities for safety and takes this matter into account when designing its data analysis, data transfer, and cyber security programs.16 Last, as an IT Park resident startup working on telecommunications fiber optic lines and the development of internet bandwidth and mobile phone broadband networks, SOLA aims to make sure that all households, including those of persons with disabilities in urban or rural areas, can benefit from these services.17 These three resident businesses, among others, have websites (available in Uzbek, Russian, and English) that are accessible for persons with disabilities, and they are committed to accommodating the needs of potential employees with disabilities. Furthermore, IT Park is eager to guarantee that all its startup residents’ plans, operations, and resources are properly developed to comply with standards of accessibility in order to fulfill its commitment to disability inclusion. Efforts to achieve disability inclusion have also been enhanced through a special funding program launched by the Parliament of Uzbekistan to provide support for civil society organizations. Disability organizations, such as Inklyuziv Jamiyat, have benefited from a grant under this program to offer vocational training, including IT training, and job matching services for a number of women and men with disabilities. In all, 15 persons with disabilities (11 women and 4 men) currently enrolled in the 15 EPAM. 2024. https://www.epam.com/about 16 MAAB Innovation. 2024. https://maab.uz/ 17 SOLA Wi-Fi Operator. 2024. https://www.sola.uz/en/about_us/ 16 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan Department of Technology at the national university in Tashkent have received IT training through Inklyuziv Jamiyat’s Parliament-funded program. Inklyuziv Jamiyat uses this funding to pay IT trainers and purchase the laptops needed for the training. Sharoit Plus is another organization benefiting from the Parliament’s civil society fund. Using money from this fund, it has launched an online job matching portal for persons with disabilities (Job Plus). Persons with various types of disabilities have used this portal, alongside other social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok), to organize webinars and online podcasts to raise public awareness on a range of disability rights issues, including the right to inclusive ICTs. Shariot Plus also offers IT educational and professional development training for persons with disabilities. In all, 300 job opportunities have been offered at the Job Plus portal, and there are currently 1,000 job vacancies posted on the portal, although to date, job opportunities in the area of ICT offered through the portal remain minimal. Shariot Plus leaders explain that offering jobs for persons with disabilities in the telecommunications sector requires tremendous effort to enhance the inclusivity of the sector’s regulatory framework and infrastructure and raise employer awareness. In addition to the Parliament fund, Shariot Plus has received support from UNOL, a European security and corporate organization, and the Euro-Asia initiative. The Japanese Development Agency has also provided the organization with second-hand laptops for its IT training program. 3.3. ICT sector challenges Overall employment of persons with disabilities is significantly lower than persons without disabilities. Law 641 set a 3 percent quota for employing persons with disabilities in the private sector. However, prevailing practices that foster social isolation and attitudes that stigmatize persons with disabilities have hindered the ability of these individuals to find their place in the mainstream labor market, particularly in the ICT sector. Data gathered through interviews with mobile phone companies in Uzbekistan showed that less than 1 percent of employees were persons with disabilities, and the current employees with disabilities do not work on ICT-related operations. One of the mobile phone companies, Beeline, reports that it is currently working on the development of its diversity and inclusion policy in collaboration with a global network of mobile companies. In fact, it has hired a person with a visual disability from Bangladesh to help put together this policy. Further, Beeline is currently working with IT Park on the creation of an IT training program called ESPAN, which its leadership states will meet standards of disability inclusion and digital accessibility. However, Beeline’s leadership reports that such accessibility will only take place during the second phase of this project after ensuring that the project is fully functioning. Key informants for this study observed that specialized boarding schools continue to be the main source of education for persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan. The country has around 17 boarding schools for persons with visual disabilities, 18 boarding schools for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, and up to 5 boarding schools for persons with other physical disabilities. According to OPD representatives, educational programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are minimal in Uzbekistan. In the interviewees’ experience, most of these schools only offer one 45-minute session for computer training per week. Students are only allowed to use the computer and browse the internet during these weekly sessions. 17 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 3. The Digital Inclusion Ecosystem for Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan The One Million Uzbek Coders Project, which began in 2019, also provides some promise for the future. The project is designed to provide affordable IT education in order to create a new generation of people to meet the country’s need for IT service.18 Through this initiative, established under a decree issued by the president of Uzbekistan, a number of persons with disabilities have received small grants to study IT at the National University of Uzbekistan. According to the Ministry of Higher Education, approximately 70 students with disabilities, including persons who are blind and persons with other physical disabilities, are currently enrolled at this university’s Department of Technology. A further evaluation of the results of this project would be beneficial to determine whether such models could be scaled and replicated in the country. 18 IT Park. 2021. One Million Uzbek Coders Project. https://it-park.uz/en/itpark/news/there-are-already-500-thousand-participants-on-the-one-million- uzbek-coders-project 18 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 4. Experiences of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities This section draws from the experiences of persons with disabilities and OPDs shared during interviews and focus groups. 4.1. Access by type of disability Currently, Uzbekistan lacks a strategy that defines a long-term vision or policy to ensure the full accessibility of ICTs for persons with disabilities. Rather, access to technology and digital content in Uzbekistan varies significantly depending on the type and severity of disability. The extent to which persons with mobility disabilities experience challenges in accessing IT training or using computers and the internet typically depends on the severity of their physical disability. The more severe the disability, the more such persons need accommodations to access computers and other forms of IT. For example, a person with severe cerebral palsy and significant mobility and dexterity limitations is likely to need more assistive features and accommodations than a person with only minor physical limitations. While persons who are deaf or hard of hearing are less likely to have difficulty performing routine functions on computers and accessing internet sites, they can face various challenges in accessing multimedia and audio content, including digital and online IT training courses. Sign language interpretation for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing is available to some extent in Uzbekistan, but mainly on TV news. A center in Tashkent does offer video conferencing services for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing for communication purposes. The Department of Pedagogy at the National University of Uzbekistan has recently started offering a sign language course for teachers. However, sign language interpretation services are only available in Russian. An Uzbek sign language has yet to be developed. There is a lack of data on digital access and usage for persons with disabilities. Persons with visual disabilities are most likely to face challenges in accessing IT training and using computers and the internet. No official data exists on how many persons with visual disabilities own a computer with a screen reader. Participants shared that many persons with visual disabilities use unlicensed screen readers or free open-source screen readers, such as NonVisual Desktop Access. Additionally, these 19 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 4. Experiences of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities screen readers are only available in Russian. As a consequence, persons with visual disabilities who do not speak Russian well or at all find themselves hindered when attempting to use a computer or navigate the internet. There are some ongoing efforts to strengthen the digital skills of persons with disabilities. For example, the Society of the Blind in Uzbekistan provides Braille-printed training material for blind persons to learn how to use computers and offers IT training through its cultural center for the blind in Tashkent. There is no data available regarding access to IT training and the use of computers by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to OPD representatives participating in this study, prevailing social isolation within and stigmatization of this community often impede efforts by such individuals and stand as a significant barrier to their participation in digital skills training and digitally-enabled programs. 4.2. Affordability Affordability of digital technologies and services is a common barrier for persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan. Participants in both urban and rural groups described challenging experiences with access to training (including higher education) due to financial issues and lack of knowledge and skills. Expensive devices and internet connection were mentioned as an impediment to participating online. For most persons with disabilities in rural areas, smartphone ownership and internet access are still unaffordable, and financial barriers are indicated as the biggest obstacles to them. Under a presidential decree issued in 2022, persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan receive a monthly allowance of US$80 to cover their needs-related expenses. However, participants stated that even with this allowance they cannot afford the high cost of technology. A key challenge continues to be the dominant approach to disability in Uzbekistan on many levels and by many sectors, including in Law 641. This model focuses on a person’s physical and mental limitations, rather than the societal changes needed to remove barriers to independence and equality (a social model). Accordingly, the GoU, through its Ministry of Health, classifies each person with a disability in one of three categories based on the severity of that person’s disability and the level of dependence of that person on others to conduct their daily lives. Each classification is determined through an evaluation of the person’s physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological, and social capacities, which is conducted by an appointed committee of medical specialists at the Ministry of Health. Following this evaluation, the person is categorized as having either a severe level of disability, called group one; a medium level of disability, called group two; or a so-called mainstream level disability (a mild disability), called group three. The relevance of these classifications to the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan is reflected in the level of financial support offered to help persons with disabilities acquire AT. Based on these three groupings, the Social Protection Agency of Uzbekistan, set up under a presidential decree on the June 1, 2023, offers different levels of subsidies to help persons with disabilities pay for AT. According to decisions determined by a committee of medical specialists recruited by the Social Protection Agency, persons with disabilities classified in groups 1 and 2 receive full subsidies for the cost of the AT that they need for their education, while those belonging to group 3 only receive a subsidy of 50 percent. In addition, to be eligible for financial assistance under this program, all persons with disabilities, regardless of the group they are in, must be between 14 and 30 years old and meet 20 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 4. Experiences of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities low-income criteria. A narrow medical approach to determining financial subsidies limits benefits to a smaller group of persons with severe disabilities. In addition, internet service providers and mobile phone companies do not offer any special discounts for persons with disabilities. Moreover, incentives that these companies receive from the government for investing in the development of the telecommunications sector do not take into account the costs associated with offering discounted services to persons with disabilities. However, one encouraging approach has been adopted by the mobile service provider Beeline: to ensure the affordability of telecommunication services by its customers, Beeline conducts surveys to collect data about its customers’ socioeconomic status, on the basis of which it determines the cost of its services. 4.3. Challenges in rural areas Participants raised concerns about disparities between urban and rural areas. Another critical issue mentioned was the lack of digital skills as well as scarce information on the existence or availability of AT for persons with disabilities in remote rural areas. The lack of an Uzbek- language speech synthesizer leads to significant limitations for persons with print disabilities, and the lack of an Uzbek-language speech recognition system limits the capabilities of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. In rural areas, persons with disabilities face more challenges than their counterparts in urban areas. Most of them are unemployed, and they rarely go outdoors to socialize with other people, do not have access to qualified health assistance, and do not own a mobile phone. Deaf or hard of hearing persons in rural areas are isolated from the broader community and lack access to computers, loudspeaker equipment (fixed and individual), and sign language interpreters. Employment for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing from rural areas is a significant challenge. 4.4. Participation in policy dialogue In general, OPDs in Uzbekistan are aware of the ongoing NDS as well as the Digital Uzbekistan Strategy 2030. However, they are concerned that the GoU is failing to involve them in planning the cycles and strategies being used to implement these policy initiatives. They fear that a lack of their involvement in such processes will potentially result in the failure of these strategies to meet their digital inclusion needs. To prevent such bias in the implementation of these policies the GoU should set processes to include OPDs in planning efforts associated with the implementation of these national telecommunications strategies. 21 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities This section offers a roadmap and actionable recommendations for the GoU based on the digital divides observed in this study and global good practices to advance digital inclusion of persons with disabilities. The GoU’s investment and focus on digital economy growth offers an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate economic participation for persons with disabilities. Stakeholders need to work together to guarantee that this new economic and social digital order includes everyone. There are four essential elements required for digital inclusion: a) Internet availability: There is no digital transformation without the internet. The GoU has a clear objective to invest in the deployment of internet infrastructure available to everyone living and working in both urban and rural areas. Connectivity targets are already included in the 2030 Strategy. b) Affordability of services and devices: Persons with disabilities should be able to purchase internet services, devices, and AT at affordable prices. Gaps in purchasing power widen the digital divide. According to the World Bank’s Uzbekistan Disability and Inclusion Country Profile, persons with disabilities are about four times less likely to find a job than those without disabilities, which is one of the factors contributing to income disparities. The Uzbekistan Digital Strategy 2030 contemplates incentives to encourage national internet and mobile phone service providers to offer discounted digital packages to local customers. It will be similarly important to define specific incentives for persons with disabilities. To this end, internet and mobile service providers should be encouraged to develop alternative tariffs and pricing plans for subscribers with disabilities that take into consideration the specific accessibility needs of particular individuals. For instance, a tariff for subscribers with hearing disabilities could include a plan with more minutes used to access SMS and mobile internet services than minutes used for voice telephone communication, given that these individuals tend to use text messaging rather than voice conversations. 22 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities c) Digital skills: To fully participate in this new economy, people need to have digital skills. Digital skills exist on a continuum, ranging from basic to advanced, as listed below: ● Advanced digital skills: necessary to create, manage, test, and analyze ICTs related to application development, network management, machine learning, and big data analysis, among others. ● Intermediate digital skills: job-ready skills needed to perform work-related functions, such as desktop publishing, digital graphic design, and social media management. ● Basic digital skills: necessary generic ICT skills that relate to the effective use of ICT, including performing searches, sending emails, and using professional online platforms. In addition to these skills, persons with disabilities often need to acquire and know how to use assistive and accessible technologies that may be essential for some to access digital interfaces. Hence, it is important to develop training programs to educate consumers with disabilities on how to use digital services and equipment, as well as any AT they might need for this purpose. In addition, this training must be available in local languages and sign language. d) Accessibility of digital content, products, and services: Digital services must be designed to be accessible for persons with disabilities at an early stage of development. For technology that is being deployed and used in the workplace, accessibility features should be specified either in the procurement cycle or among project development criteria to avoid creating unintended barriers for persons with disabilities. Detailed accessibility standards for procurement have been developed in many countries following Section 508 of the American Rehabilitation Act, the European standard EN 301 549, and the European Accessibility Act. 23 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities 5.1. Recommended actions The following section outlines key recommendations based on the literature review and field work. The recommendations focus on enabling government, investing in people, and supporting employers. 5.1.1. Enabling government: adopt accessibility laws, policies, and regulations The first crucial element to ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities is to update relevant policies and regulations to include accessibility criteria. The following are recommendations for enabling the government in adopting digital inclusion laws, policies, and regulations: a) Revise laws and regulations related to access to ICTs and digital inclusion to explicitly recognize the rights of persons with disabilities to digital access. This will enable Uzbekistan to demonstrate progress toward its commitment as a CRPD signatory and provide the legal foundation for digital accessibility regulations. b) Conduct awareness-raising to inform stakeholders about principles of digital inclusion and, in particular, concepts such as infrastructure, affordability, digital skills, and accessible technology. c) Reference internationally accepted accessibility standards. This is a critical step toward guaranteeing an inclusive and accessible regulatory framework. Policies related to digital transformation as well as policies related to public procurement need to include references to accessibility standards to ensure accessible digital environments. Policies related to technology access should include clear definitions of what constitutes accessible technology to provide a homogeneous understanding. As a resource, the ITU provides a set of definitions related to digital inclusion and accessible ICT.19 G3ict partnered with the ITU to develop model policies covering key ICT sectors that are available in the six UN official languages, including Russian, and are designed to be transposed taking into account local conditions.20 It is important to ensure beneficiary and stakeholder engagement in the design and development of laws and policies. A cocreation process with OPDs and civil society organizations working on disability inclusion will lead to community-driven and needs-informed policy design. Consultative and cocreation processes should pay attention to ensuring representation of disability diversity and take an intersectional approach, especially consulting with organizations supporting and advocating on behalf of women and girls with disabilities. This is important for digital inclusion because different mechanisms and approaches may be required for different types of disabilities to meet the last-mile needs of different population groups. 19 Information about ITU’s digital inclusion definitions can be found at: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Digital-Inclusion/Pages/ICT-digital-accessibility/ default.aspx. 20 G3ict – ITU Model ICT Accessibility Policy Report. 24 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities 5.1.2 Investing in people: training and digital skill development From 2019 to 2023, the number of professionals employed in the IT sector in Uzbekistan grew by 17 percent, and this number is expected to continue to increase, thereby enabling continued growth in opportunities to export IT services. According to Statista, worldwide revenue in the IT outsourcing market is projected to reach US$460.1 billion in 2023. Further, revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023–2028) of 11.07 percent, resulting in a market volume of US$777.7 billion by 2028.21 This represents a very clear opportunity for emerging markets that provide skilled labor in ICTs. Similarly, demand for AT is on the rise; for example, the private sector in Europe must comply with the accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act by 2025, which will increase the need for digital accessibility know-how and justify efforts to develop skills among persons with disabilities so that they can find work in this sector. Although technology is being used in every aspect of life, a large skills gap has emerged, with tens of millions of jobs opening around the world for those with advanced digital skills and a shortage of qualified people to fill the positions. Despite being labeled as “digital natives,” a significant number of young individuals still do not possess an adequate level of digital literacy and digitally relevant skills to fill these job openings. As indicated by a recent report from the ITU (Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2021), in 40 percent of the countries for which data is available, less than 40 percent of individuals acknowledged engaging within the past three months in tasks demanding basic digital skills. FIGURE 1: Full-time employment in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry worldwide in 2019, 2020 and 2023 (US$, millions) 2023* 62 2020* 55.30 2019 53.20 48.00 50.00 52.00 54.00 56.00 58.00 60.00 62.00 64.00 Source: https://statista.ibero.elogim.com/statistics/1126677/it-employment-worldwide/ 21 Statista, IT Outsourcing, https://www.statista.com/outlook/tmo/it-services/it-outsourcing/worldwide. 25 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities The following are recommended steps for the GoU to develop training and digital skills opportunities for persons with disabilities: Gap analysis. Conduct a gap analysis aimed at identifying prevailing digital skills programs that are inclusive of persons with disabilities and encompass the necessary competencies for the targeted industry, such as the business process outsourcing industry in Uzbekistan. Identify actual and potential stakeholders to develop such programs. Skills mapping. Develop skills mapping templates that cover mainstream skills at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels required for jobs within the relevant digital sectors, such as the business process outsourcing industry, while taking into account accommodation options for persons with disabilities and AT availability. Inclusive learning. Persons with disabilities should have equal opportunities to develop professional competencies just as their peers without disabilities throughout different levels of the education system. This includes inclusive services and systems at higher and technical levels of education. FIGURE 2: Digital Skills Map. Creating professional Artificial Intelligence online profiles Big Data Using keyboards and touchscreens Digital Entrepreneurship Basic Advanced Word processing Skills Skills Cybersecurity Managing privacy se ings Internet of Things Email Virtual Reality Intermediate Skills Desktop Digital Graphic Digital Publishing Design Marketing Source: ITU Digital skills toolkit 26 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities 5.1.3. Supporting employers in hiring and accommodating persons with disabilities Fostering an inclusive employment environment for persons with disabilities is a key step toward ensuring the inclusivity of the digital economy.22 Several international case studies presented in the annex to this report show various examples of support services provided to retain talent, adapt inclusive workplaces, and develop career pathways for persons with disabilities on a large scale. As outlined in this report, the lack of localized AT in Uzbekistan is an obstacle to promoting the employment of persons with disabilities. This can be addressed by bringing together international technology companies, AT vendors, relevant government entities, researchers, and OPDs. Adopting different modalities of reasonable accommodation programs in the labor market can draw the attention of businesses interested in investing and expanding sales opportunities in AT. Moreover, promoting AT market represents a vibrant mechanism to attract innovators who are interested in end-user experiences, where OPDs and its constituencies are essential key players. The following are primary recommendations for enhancing employer support and creating an inclusive employment environment for persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan: a) Develop a job accommodation and accessibility service center for companies to promote the knowledge and practice of providing reasonable workplace accommodation and foster peer- to-peer exchanges among employers. b) Enhance potential partnership initiatives with local and international technology companies to ensure the availability of localized AT and promote digital inclusion solutions. 5.2. Financial Resources and Business Model Options Various financing and business models can be implemented to suit different situations and objectives. The following options are based on good practices observed in countries which have achieved progress in promoting the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities relying on such funding and business models. The GoU can explore different financing solutions and business models to accelerate the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities, including the following: ● Promoting telecommunications, broadband, and services use among persons with disabilities, including digital literacy, through an universal service fund in Uzbekistan based on levies on telecom revenues. ● Financing the digital training of persons with disabilities seeking employment and the technical support of employers to hire and accommodate persons with disabilities through contributions made by companies failing to hire Uzbekistan’s national quota of employees with disabilities. 22 A successful practice of promoting reasonable workplace accommodation for persons with disabilities is the Job Accommodation Network in the United States. See the comprehensive description of this initiative in Annex 1. 27 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities ● Developing economies of scale for the centralized procurement and support of ATin coordination with the ministries overseeing the education, health and rehabilitation, and employment sectors. ● Exploring essential localization strategies for Uzbek-language solutions with partnership strategies. ● Participating in international cooperation on AT and fundraising among international donors focused on disability inclusion. The following section covers these options in greater detail. 5.2.1. Establishing a universal service fund A universal service fund (USF) consists of money collected from telecommunications companies’ billings and dedicated to fulfilling the goals of universal service. The fundamental idea behind USFs is to guarantee that telecommunications services equally serve the broadest possible population and communities and are available to all citizens equally. Universal access recognizes that not only do marginalized groups require a connection to telecommunications services, but also that the adoption of those services must be promoted through the delivery of skills building, equipment, and appropriate support. Universal service rests on the following three components, aligned with digital inclusion principles:23 1) Availability: It ensures that the quality of service is uniform for all users, regardless of their location, workplace, or residence. There should be no discrimination based on geography. 2) Affordability: It means that the cost of the service should not be a barrier preventing anyone from accessing it. The service should be affordable for all users, regardless of their financial means. 3) Accessibility: This principle mandates that all citizens benefit from telecommunications and internet pricing and service quality in a fair, unbiased, and digitally accessible manner, regardless of factors such as location, race, gender, religion, or disability, with appropriate support services, including digital training. Generally, universal service obligation (USO) legislation identifies the target groups at risk of exclusion from telecommunications services which can benefit from USF-covered services. Historically, they focused on rural areas as the main target population, but over the years, as service coverage improved in rural areas, USFs have increasingly focused on vulnerable populations, irrespective of their geographic location. Following their ratification of the CRPD, a growing number of countries have designated persons with disabilities as an underserved user group. The 2020 G3ict DARE Index covering the progress of 137 countries in implementing digital accessibility showed that 41 percent of countries have a USF that explicitly covers persons with disabilities. 23 Universal Service for Persons with Disabilities, G3ict. 28 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities USFs are funded differently in different countries. Common models include: ● Levies on network operators: Charging a percentage of annual profits, license, or revenues of network operators or a levy is often the most common form for funding the USF. The percentage of contributions from network operators is decided either annually or collected at a fixed rate. In India, 5 percent of the revenue of network operators is earmarked for the USF. In Jamaica, levies are charged on incoming international calls. Malaysia’s Universal Service Provision Fund is maintained by collecting 6 percent of licensees’ net revenues annually. ● Compensating universal service providers: Reimbursing service providers (or the designated universal service providers) for the costs incurred while fulfilling their obligation is also a common method of funding USO activities. This is often done by splitting the costs among the service providers. In New Zealand, costs incurred in fulfilling the objectives of a telecommunications service obligations instrument are apportioned among network providers who fall under the category of “liable persons” based on a cost allocation determination. The percentage of reimbursement varies from one network provider to the other. ● Budget allocations: States may often make allocations from within the national budget for USO activities. Chile, for example, offers one-off subsidies from the national budget which are disbursed through competitive tenders to private interests who are willing to invest in USO projects. ● Combination of funding mechanisms: Some countries may opt for a combination of one or more of the above-described methods. Kenya’s USF is financed primarily through a universal service levy charged on licenses. It is additionally funded through allocations made by the Parliament, as well as from income derived from investments, loans, gifts, and endowments made toward the fund. Recommendations for the implementation of disability-inclusion USF-funded programs: a) Implement or amend USF legislation that designates persons with disabilities as a targeted underserved user group, reflects technological change, includes mobile and broadband services, and considers modern approaches to digital skills and digital accessibility. b) Engage within USFs consultative processes with persons with disabilities at each stage of a project’s lifespan, including the identification, appraisal, and allocation processes. c) Invest a fixed percentage of funds in projects to increase access to technology for persons with disabilities. Setting minimum and clear targets can help ensure that disbursement follows the diversity goals of the USF. d) Make structural changes to ensure the timely disbursal and sustainability of USF. e) Increase USF transparency and accountability through regular monitoring and reporting. f) Seize on opportunities for national and regional cooperation and capacity building. 29 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities As regards the GoU Digital Strategy 2030, it is worth noting that USFs have significantly contributed to expanding access to telecommunications services around the world.24 As regards persons with disabilities, USFs have also enabled the development of targeted programs in a growing number of countries. For example: ● Persons with disabilities are included as an underserved user group in the policies of France, the European Union, Malaysia, and Portugal. ● Provision for financial assistance in the form of subsidies and loans for persons with disabilities can be found in Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ● ICT projects in media/health and education have been rolled out in Jamaica, Pakistan, Kenya, the United States, and Sweden. ● Provisions for customer care can be found in Australia, Ireland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy, and Lithuania. ● Provisions for relay services for the deaf have been made in Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Colombia, and the United States, both at the federal and state level. Because a USF can be based on levies on telecommunications billings, its predictable recurring flow of funding irrespective of annual government budget cycles is most suitable to fund programs that are recurring in nature, such as relay services for the deaf, or providing recurring subsidies for persons with disabilities to purchase telecommunications services, which cannot be subject to variations or interruptions. The success of USF programs depends on various factors, including regulatory frameworks, multistakeholder engagement, public-private partnerships, and the specific needs of each country. Ongoing evaluation and adaptation of these programs are crucial to ensuring they continue to effectively bridge the digital divide. 5.2.2. Developing economies of scale through centralized AT procurement and support Many persons with disabilities will need AT to engage productively in the labor market. AT can be difficult to procure, support, and maintain or in some cases may be unavailable due to market constraints, import restrictions, or language issues. Because AT is often highly specialized with hard- to-reach users, market dynamics do not always work in effective ways. While detailed analysis and recommendations on shaping the Uzbekistan AT service delivery system is beyond the scope of this report, it is important to recognize it as a crucial driver of inclusion for persons 24 Examples of global good practices are provided in Annex 1. 30 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities with disabilities. The report presents these good practices as examples of initiatives to strengthen economies of scale in the AT service delivery systems. Some countries—such as Norway, Qatar, and the United States—have facilitated the promotion of AT through centralized procurement initiatives. These initiatives consolidate the expertise, financial resources, and procurement processes in one single entity appointed to support various distribution channels, professionals, and organizations overseeing the assessment, procurement, training, and support of AT users in workplaces and education and through rehabilitation centers.25 The World Health Organization has developed a Priority Assistive Products List, which includes the 50 most-needed products across different domains of functioning, to serve as a model and catalyst for countries as they develop AT procurement and subsidy initiatives.26 This is complemented by Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE), led by the World Health Organization in partnership with international organizations, donor agencies, professional organizations, academia, and user groups. Its purpose is to mobilize resources to support CRPD States parties to meet their obligation to support access to AT products and services and meet the needs of persons with disabilities. GATE supports State parties in developing policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, provision and procurement, and relevant training that can strengthen the capacity to improve access to appropriate, high-quality, affordable AT. Several other partnership consortia and international resources can inform the shaping and development of AT services (see list in Annex 1). 5.2.3. Exploring essential localization strategies for Uzbek-language solutions with partnership strategies Language interfaces are an essential component of several types of AT, especially as they relate to applications for education and employment. Text-to-speech functionalities enable reading-impaired persons to read a display of digital content (either text or described images and graphics) that has alternative text embedded. Target populations notably include visually impaired persons, persons with dyslexia or other forms of text reading limitations, and quite often elderly or mobility impaired persons who use voice interaction with digital interfaces. Speech recognition enables spoken language to be transcribed in digital text, which in turn can be used to edit text on a screen, fill out a form, respond to an automated voice system, or most importantly for persons hard of hearing or deaf, automated captions. While these functionalities are embedded in the operating systems of major technology platforms (iOS for Apple, Windows for Microsoft, and Android for Google, as well as video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Teams, and Webex), countries with national languages where those companies have not yet made the investment in developing text-to-speech or voice recognition interfaces are at a significant disadvantage to implement assistive solutions for persons with disabilities. It is therefore highly recommended that the GoU invest time and effort in facilitating and potentially negotiating 25 Examples of global good practices from Qatar, the United States, and Norway are provided in Annex 1. 26 World Health Organization. 2016. Priority Assistive Products list. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/priority-assistive-products- list. 31 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 5. Roadmap to Harness the Digital Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities with third-party technology industry participants on the development of such interfaces for the Uzbek language. Ultimately, the objective would be to provide these functionalities free of charge to enable the development of Uzbek-accessible and assistive solutions. It is also possible that such an endeavor, should it require an investment, be undertaken in collaboration with mobile service providers and funded through a USF. 32 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 6. Conclusion: Proposed Interventions and Next Steps This study took place only two years after Uzbekistan’s ratification of the CRPD—a very short period for the country to have made substantial transformation in recognizing and addressing the rights of persons with disabilities. Consequently, while the study has revealed some preliminary steps made by the GoU, as well as efforts by OPDs to achieve inclusion and accessibility, overall, these efforts must be pursued and expanded. After reviewing relevant policies, regulations, and strategy documents, this study concludes that issues of digital inclusion of persons with disabilities have not been clearly and systematically referenced or considered, particularly by either the NDS or the Digital Uzbekistan Strategy 2030. Specifically, interviews with stakeholders and focus groups of persons with disabilities have confirmed that the following remain as ongoing issues that are restricting the rights of persons with disabilities to inclusion and accessibility: ● The prevailing social stigmatization against persons with disabilities at the community level, particularly in both the public and private sectors. ● The lack of enforcement of policies, regulations, and programs that have been adopted to promote the rights of persons with disabilities to digital inclusion and accessibility, particularly in Uzbekistan’s digital economy. ● The absence of references to essential digital accessibility standards in the overall scope of government programs and private sector operations, particularly in the conditional criteria of public procurement requirements, and foreign investment enhancement strategies. ● The noticeable gap in disability accessibility data in relevant sectors, particularly the education and employment sectors. ● Limited access to knowledge and capacity of OPDs to conduct effective advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns to promote concepts and practices of digital inclusion in the country. ● The lack of training on digital accessibility at different levels of mainstream educational institutions and vocational programs. 33 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y 6. Conclusion: Proposed Interventions and Next Steps Despite the various challenges facing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the telecommunications sector in Uzbekistan, the study discerned a clear willingness by government officials and private sector-based telecommunications companies, particularly startups, to address issues of digital accessibility for persons with disabilities. Leaders of these sectors realize that they should adopt digital inclusion strategies for marginalized groups, particularly women and men with disabilities. They also are open to any intervention or opportunity that would help them enhance their human resource and operational capacity to become more compliant with the principles of inclusion and accessibility and hire more persons with disabilities. The findings have also revealed information gaps that would be useful to study in further detail. Overall global statistics show that women with disabilities have lower levels of digital access and use than men with disabilities and women without disabilities. The intersectionality between disability and gender can lead to women with disabilities facing unique challenges in benefiting equally from the country’s digital growth and economy. The study showed higher constraints in digital inclusion for persons living in rural areas. While resource constraints limited the sample size for this study, a deeper dive into the challenges in rural areas would be important to inform targeted interventions to bridge these gaps. 34 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Annex 1: Global Good Practices Annex 1 provides an overview of successful practices from various countries, aligning with the recommendations presented in this study. Enabling Government Australia: The Disability Discrimination Act is a federal accessibility law that makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals with disabilities in areas such as employment, education, and the provision of goods and services. The law applies to all individuals and organizations, including websites and online services. The text includes straightforward standards to improve accessibility in education, access to premises, public transport, websites, insurance, and a variety of services. These are good guidelines to foster an accessible physical and digital environment in Uzbekistan. Private and nongovernment employers are covered by the nondiscrimination provisions of the Australian Disability Discrimination Act, which requires employers to adopt policies and practices that provide the resources and ICT necessary to ensure that persons with disabilities have as equal work opportunities as their fellow employees. While many ICT commercial products already include accessibility functions within their software, often these products are not built to be compatible with accessibility software or AT. Jaws and others screen readers, along with Dragon Dictate and other dictation software, often need to be modified to work effectively with several commercial products available in the workplace. Further, in those instances in which a company uses less popular software, these are even more likely to clash with accessibility software. Employers are often reluctant to provide funding to adapt their software for the use of persons with disabilities needing accessible ICT. United States: The Twenty-First Communications and Video Accessibility Act is a federal law requiring all advanced communication services and the devices used with these services, including communications that take place between people over the internet, to be accessible and usable by persons with disabilities. Where it is not achievable to make these offerings accessible, they must be compatible with specialized equipment commonly used by persons with disabilities, if achievable (see https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility- act-cvaa). In the United States, Section 255 of the Communications Act also requires telecommunications services and devices to be accessible, usable, and compatible for people with disabilities (see https:// www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-access-people-disabilities). The use of video content for communication and education has experienced a significant surge in popularity. An excellent illustration of the need to ensure content accessibility for all is the USA Video Accessibility Act. 35 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices India: The Digital India program is aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-based economy by ensuring digital access, digital inclusion, and digital empowerment and by bridging the digital divide. One of the areas of this national program is universally accessible digital resources (see https://digitalindia.gov.in/vision-vision-areas/).The program has been extended for five more years. During the first phase, 525,000 professionals received IT reskilling and upskilling, and another 265,000 individuals will undergo IT training. ● Bangladesh: In 2020, Bangladesh published the National Skills Development Policy, which lays out a national strategy for skills development. This policy calls for at least 5 percent of its beneficiaries to be persons with disabilities. ● Russia: Russia has some well-established practices designed to increase the independence of students with disabilities and improve their integration into the educational process. For example, some of its universities have created small units that adapt and provide educational materials for the advanced training of students with disabilities to work with lecturers and professors, as required by their course of study. The universities of Uzbekistan might consider similar interactions across their institutions. Links to Russian universities with extensive experience in providing support to students with special educational needs include: 1) Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod ● http://www.unn.ru/tiflo/ 2) Moscow State University of Psychology and Education ● https://mgppu.ru/project/157 ● https://mgppu.ru/project/158 3) Novosibirsk State University ● https://www.nsu.ru/n/education/inclusive-education/ 4) Bauman Moscow State Technical University: the main educational, research and methodological center for vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (disabled) (available in English) ● https://bmstu.ru/faculty/guimc ● https://guimc.bmstu.ru/ 36 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Philippines: Virtualahan (an inclusive and accessible online training school for people with disabilities, single parents, out-of-school youth, recovering addicts, and Indigenous people) offers five weeks of intensive online training in digital skills, such as digital marketing, website development, and administrative support. All training is delivered online, and the training platform and curriculum follow universal design principles (that is, the services, products, and environments are designed in a way that can be accessed by all people, regardless of age, ability, or disability). After training, participants are matched with a partner organization for a three-week apprenticeship, during which they are mentored by industry experts. They also receive individual job coaching for two weeks. Throughout the program, participants attend weekly life-coaching sessions led by a psychologist, focused on self-advocacy and awareness. Graduates work for clients across the world as virtual assistants and digital freelancers, making on average 40 percent to 60 percent more than the minimum wage. Virtualahan also educates employers on the benefits of employing persons with disabilities and how to build a more inclusive workplace. Some 65 percent of Virtualahan’s revenue comes from training fees. The program costs over US$500 per person, with fees covered upfront by sponsors and paid back by graduates within ten months of securing a job. The other 35 percent of the revenue comes from Virtualahan by providing virtual assistant services to other organizations. Virtualahan plans to scale up its training to 1,000 persons with disabilities annually and maintain an employment rate of at least 70 percent. France: Under the terms of French employment law, public and private organizations with a work force of more than 20 employees must hire 6 percent of workers with disabilities. Employers are provided with three options to meet this target: (1) hiring workers with disabilities as employees; (2) subcontracting workers from disability organizations; or (3) paying a contribution fee to either AGEFIPH (Association de Gestion du Fonds pour l’Insertion Professionnelle des Personnes Handicapées, “Fund for the Professional Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities,” an organization dedicated to furthering professional inclusion in the private sector) or, for public sector employers, to the FIPHFP (Fonds pour l’Insertion des Personnes Handicapées dans la Fonction Publique). This third option contributes financially to improving, promoting, and supporting inclusive ICTs for employment. With the support of the FIPHFP, the French employment agency for job seekers (Pôle Emploi) has been working on the accessibility of its digital offerings. Investing in People Armenia: Introduced in Armenia in 2012, LIFE is a program for inclusive vocational education and employment for persons with disabilities, starting as early as primary school and ending with job placement. By 2016, approximately 900 people were placed in training and 653 employed through this program. As a first step, the LIFE program’s focus was on providing professional orientation workshops for children during their last year of study at inclusive and special schools. These workshops were conducted by teachers from technical vocational education and training institutions as well as inclusive and special schools, all of whom were trained in providing inclusive education and career guidance mechanisms. Additionally, students at technical vocational education and training institutions were provided with program internship opportunities in various work settings. The second step was to promote equal access to open employment and accessibility to public sector workplaces and to support employment programs for persons with disabilities. It also focused on raising the awareness of disability issues among employers and on providing job placement and post-placement support to persons with disabilities. 37 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices India: Smart Inclusion Centers are based in specialized as well as inclusive colleges and universities in 11 Indian cities and 6 states. The program targets students with hearing disabilities, visual disabilities, and other physical disabilities and creates an ecosystem that supports inclusive higher education and employment. Students receive training, such as in English and digital skills, and are also provided with job fairs and site visits. The program connects students to employers in multiple sectors, including IT, manufacturing, and retail. Youth4Jobs has a network of over 500 employers, such as Accenture, Capgemini, and Foxconn, which work with these employers to ensure their training focuses on real market needs. In addition, Youth4Jobs promotes inclusive employment through disability awareness training. Estonia: The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund is a solution for providing ICT to persons with disabilities who need technical aids, workplace adaptation, or special counseling. Over the past few years, Estonia has also begun implementing some reforms to enhance workability for persons with disabilities with the aim of having more persons with disabilities enter the labor market. Ireland: In Ireland, grant assistance is available for employers, employees, and self-employed persons with disabilities who need to adapt the workplace or purchase specialized equipment for staff with disabilities. This grant is called the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant. Kenya: In Kenya, the National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities (NDFPWD) in Kenya launched the NDFPWD Career Portal in 2020 with support from mobile operator Safaricom. This program offers personalized job recommendations, career guidance, and learning opportunities, such as courses to develop digital and soft skills. By mid-2022, this program had been used by more than 5,100 jobseekers and 327 employers. Persons with disabilities can register on the portal using their NDFPWD-provided disability card, which matches their national identity card, to gain access. Employers who wish to sign up send an email to the career platform provider to request registration. The concept was developed at the Forum for Global Disability Summit – Kenya Chapter in 2019, in partnership with i2i (Innovation to Inclusion). Safaricom was engaged in the design of the platform, the recruiting assessment processes, and the development of online courses. It also played a key role in motivating businesses to register on the job portal. The portal is meant to help public and private sector employers fill the 5 percent of jobs they are legally required to set aside for persons with disabilities. Between 2020 and mid-2022 a total of 141 jobseekers with disabilities found work through the portal. Malta: JobPlus – Guidance for Inclusive Employment Services. The Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malta Employers’ Association, setting up a platform under which relevant information on ICT accessibility is circulated directly to employers. Saudi Arabia: The Tawafuq Empowerment for Employment for Persons with Disabilities program focuses on the creation of a nationwide, fully inclusive private sector economic system by improving and developing legislation and policies, providing pre-employment and employment services, offering vocational training, and using data tracking to promote and support the suitable and sustainable employment of persons with disabilities. The program includes quotas, incentives, and subsidies. Launched in 2014, by 2016, out of the approximately 648,000 Saudis with disabilities, 62,728 were employed by 31,790 companies and nearly 17,400 received subsidies under this program. Russia: The Russian Federation has adopted various digital support measures for people with specific needs, including benefits and allowances, an electronic certificate to purchase rehabilitation equipment, and the opportunity to specialize in an IT specialty for free. As regards the use of telecommunications/ICT to promote the employment of persons with specific needs, thanks to 38 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices the Digital Economy National Project, persons with disabilities can learn digital professions for free. Courses can be taken remotely, and upon completion, a diploma of professional retraining is issued. In 2022, training was organized according to the nine most popular programs: ● Business analyst ● Introduction to data science and big data ● Director of digital marketing ● Basics of modeling and control of industrial manipulators, programming in the digital twin of an industrial manipulator ● Fundamentals of game development on Unity, game programming ● Head of online sales – online store manager ● Creating an online course from scratch to the first launch ● Digital marketing specialist ● Tester – a simple entrance to the profession of a programmer ● Training is conducted under the “Personnel for the Digital Economy” federal project of the “Digital Economy” national project. 39 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Employer Support United States: Job Accommodation Network (JAN Network) Objective: A free service to facilitate the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, people with disabilities, their family members, and other interested parties with information and advice on job accommodation. Scope: Started in 1983, 40 years of history and accumulated job accommodation know-how. Outsourced to: University of West Virginia, Center for Disability Inclusion in the College of Education and Human Services. Description: The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a service provided by the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). JAN is one of several ODEP technical assistance centers. JAN facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members, and other interested parties with free personalized information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and related subjects. JAN’s services support the employment, self-employment, and small business ownership of persons with disabilities. JAN’s consultants, who typically hold a degree in a specialized disability or accommodation related field, provide information and advice on workplace accommodations for sensory, motor, cognitive, and psychiatric conditions. They also provide information about rights and responsibilities of employees and employers under US legislation and regulations. JAN also offers support services about entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities. JAN consultants handle each inquiry on a case-by-case basis offering self-employment and small business development expertise. Entrepreneurs and self-employed persons with disabilities are provided with a resource packet tailored to their specific entrepreneurial goals. Consultants remain available throughout all stages of the business or self-employment startup process. This assistance is provided in English and Spanish and is free of charge via telephone, email, chat, and postal mail. Consultations are confidential and available to employers, medical and rehabilitation professionals, persons with disabilities, and anyone interested in workplace accommodation. JAN maintains publicly available resources such as monthly webcasts on topics related to disabilities in the workplace and also makes presentations at various conferences. Interested parties can also submit requests for local, distant, and remote training events. Key achievements: ● Over 53,000 consultations annually. ● More than 5,000,000 web site inquiries annually. Resources and services: ● Employers’ live chat. ● Remote consultations. ● Workplace Accommodation Toolkit. ● A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations options. ● JAN training modules. 40 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Using AT ● The  Affordable Connectivity Program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States, was created to help people who have low incomes, including persons with disabilities, to afford broadband. The program provides a discount of up to US$30 per month for internet service and increases this to as much as US$75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. In addition, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to US$100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet if they contribute more than US$10 and less than US$50 toward the purchase price of one of these devices (see https:// www.fcc.gov/acp).27 ● Pursuant to the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, the US Federal Communications Commission has allocated up to US$10 million annually for the distribution of devices designed to make telecommunications service, internet access service, and advanced communications accessible to low-income persons who are deaf- blind. The program also provides funding support for training people receiving this equipment on how to use their new devices (see https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century- communications-and-video-accessibility-act-cvaa). ● There is no AT in the Uzbek language. Through public-private partnership, the government could work with big AT companies to develop solutions that will help persons with disabilities. AT is crucial for a person with disability to participate in the digital environment. In the case of screen readers, today only blind Uzbek people that speak Russian can use them, and voice-to-text or voice command technologies must also be developed to understand instructions in Uzbek. ● The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative is a project designed to help consumers learn more about the accessibility features of mobile devices and to identify devices with the features that can assist them with their particular needs. Administered by the Mobile & Wireless Forum, this online database offers information on off-the-shelf devices and mobile applications that have accessibility features needed by persons with disabilities.28 27 According to Cable Co UK, in 2021 Uzbekistan held the 22nd rank, with an average cost of US$0.6 for every 1 gigabyte of data traffic in the region. A specific tariff plan for persons with disabilities will facilitate their participation in the digital economy (Cable Co UK World Mobile Data Pricing, https://www.cable.co.uk/mobiles/worldwide-data-pricing/). 28 https://www.gari.info/index.cfm?lang=eng. 41 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Leveraging universal service funds While the success of these programs varies, examples of countries which have consistently used their USFs to close their digital infrastructure and services coverage gaps include: South Korea: South Korea is often cited as a success story in closing the digital divide. The country’s USF, known as the Korea Universal Service Fund, has played a significant role in expanding broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. South Korea’s commitment to widespread high-speed internet access has contributed to its status as one of the world’s most connected nations.29 United States: The Federal Universal Service Fund in the United States supports various programs, including the Connect America Fund and the Lifeline program. These initiatives aim to bring broadband access to rural and remote areas while providing subsidies to low-income households.30 Malaysia: Malaysia’s Universal Service Provision Fund has been successful in increasing rural connectivity and bridging the digital divide. The government has used USF funds to provide infrastructure and subsidize broadband services in underserved regions.31 Brazil: Brazil’s Fundo de Universalização dos Serviços de Telecomunicações has been instrumental in extending telecommunications services to remote and low-income areas. The country has implemented various programs to improve access, especially in the Amazon rainforest region.32 Rwanda: Rwanda’s approach to utilizing its USF has been praised for its inclusivity and innovation. The government has invested in community-based telecenters, digital literacy programs, and last-mile connectivity solutions to ensure widespread access.33 India: India’s USO fund has been used to support projects aimed at expanding telecommunications services, especially in rural and remote areas. Initiatives like the Bharat Net project aim to connect villages with high-speed broadband.34 Australia: The Australian government’s Universal Service Guarantee program has sought to ensure that all Australians have access to reliable voice and broadband services, regardless of their location. It includes initiatives such as the Mobile Black Spot Program, which targets underserved areas.35 Tunisia: Tunisia’s USF, known as the Fonds d’Accès Universel, has focused on expanding internet access and digital inclusion. The fund has supported projects to build infrastructure and provide affordable services in remote and disadvantaged areas.36 Initiatives by governments and organizations on efficient AT support 29 Competition, Privatization, Convergence, and Universal Service: The Case Study of Korea. Pennsylvanian State University (https://etda.libraries. psu.edu/files/final_submissions/5967). 30 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Universal Service. https://www.fcc.gov/general/universal-service 31 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) – Universal Service Provision. https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/sectors/universal- service-provision 32 Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) – Fust. https://www.gov.br/anatel/pt-br/regulado/arrecadacao/fust 33 Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) – Universal Service Fund. https://rura.rw/index.php?id=131. 34 Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) – India. https://usof.gov.in/en/home. 35 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications – Australia. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media- technology-communications/phone/phone-services/universal-service-guarantee-telecommunications. 36 ITU, Universal Service Funds 2013 Report (PDF). https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regulatory-Market/Documents/ITU_USF2013-F.pdf. 42 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices Qatar: In Qatar, for instance, the Ministry of ICT, which also acts as telecom regulator, created the Mada Center for Assistive Technologies. From its inception, its functions included the identification of state-of-the-art AT and procurement strategies with leading international solution providers, serving as a demo center for persons with disabilities and their caregivers and creating and supporting a network of affiliated experts at universities, corporations, and rehabilitation centers. It also helped the development of Arabic Sign Language and negotiated with leading vendors on the development of Arabic interfaces for leading AT products. Since inception, Mada Center has been funded by the Ministry of ICT, which itself is funded by levies on telecommunications operators’ revenues on the model of other telecommunications authorities around the world. Its governance includes various advisory councils that include persons with disabilities, and its staff also includes persons with disabilities experts in accessibility and AT matters. Over the years, the Mada Center has expanded its support services to digital accessibility in order to assist government, education, and private sector entities improve their web sites and digital products and services accessibility. As a result, the Qatari government websites are among the most accessible in the world. In 2020, the DARE Index ranked Qatar first among 137 countries, well ahead of most countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development due to its implementation of the CRPD in matters of accessible and assistive technologies. United States: The same concept of consolidation of expertise and resources for AT products and services has been implemented by various countries such as the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The most systematic approach has been enacted in law by the United States with the Assistive Technologies Acts, which created 56 state AT programs for all 50 states, 4 US territories, and for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. For the approximately 57,000,000 individuals with disabilities in the United States, these centers are chartered to assist them and caregiving organizations within their state to select and acquire AT. Those functions include informing individuals with disabilities on AT, where to receive them, and how to obtain them. Each state AT center must develop its own plans with a program profile tailored to their local demographics and environment, which must include details about: ● Device reutilization programs within the state and how the state will implement them. ● Availability of device loan programs and their implementation. ● Availability of device demonstration locations. ● Statewide leadership activities such as program development and training for targeted in-state entities as well as communications vehicles provided by the AT center for professionals and persons with disabilities. In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was signed into law to provide jobseekers with access to employment, high-quality jobs, education, training, and support services for people with disabilities and to connect skilled workers with employers to improve the US public workforce system. WIOA affected the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 by moving administration from the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Department of Education to the Administration for Community of Living 43 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices in the Department of Health and Human Services. Simultaneously, WIOA moved the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research from the Department of Education to the Administration for Community of Living. Placing all these disability services programs together significantly improved economies of scale, coordination, and support of essential AT for persons with disabilities. Norway: Norway is another example of a country which takes a unified approach to the national provision of AT, providing the most appropriate and least expensive assistive devices at no cost to the end-user, whose participation is emphasized throughout. AT centers have trained personnel with expert knowledge who advise end users, local authorities, and other stakeholders. This ensures that end users are given the same advice, regardless of where they live. AT centers make purchases in line with national procurement framework agreements and are also responsible for servicing and repairing the assistive devices and for systematically refurbishing used devices. Global organizations to advance AT policies and programs GATE – Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology The World Health Organization established the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) is to mobilize resources to support CRPD State parties to meet their obligation to support access to AT products and services and meet the needs of persons with disabilities. GATE supports State parties to develop policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, provision and procurement, and relevant training that can strengthen the capacity to improve access to appropriate, high-quality, affordable AT. In 2016 GATE released the Priority Assistive Products List (available for download in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) of the 50 assistive products most needed in healthcare systems and which governments should make sure are made available to all citizens at affordable prices. GAATO – Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations GAATO, the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations, is a collaborative organization created in 2000 by the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE), the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA), the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Japan (RESJA) that works on building global partnerships that support the advancement of access to AT. AT2030 The AT2030 “Life-changing AT for All” consortium was launched in July 2018 at the Global Disability Summit in London to change the way AT is provided through four programmatic clusters geared toward Data Evidence, Innovation, Country Implementation, and Capacity and Participation. ATscale – Global Partnership for Assistive Technology ATscale was founded by UNICEF and the World Health Organization in 2018 to reach 500 million people and change their lives through AT by 2030. ATscale’s goals are: 44 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 1: Global Good Practices ● To bring together policymakers and investors to drive policy reforms that may develop an “enabling ecosystem” that facilitates access to AT. ● To identify those interventions necessary to bring down barriers preventing the creation of assistive products markets. UNESCAP Incheon Strategy Uzbekistan is a member country of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The UN Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific builds on the CRPD (United Nations, 2012). Goal 3 of this strategy recognizes the importance of AT and universal design in enabling access to the physical environment, public transportation, knowledge, information, and communication, while also taking into account geographical and linguistic diversity. The Marrakesh Treaty The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, to which Uzbekistan acceded in 2022. Its goal is to require its State parties to establish a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions to copyright rules that allow reproducing, distributing, and making published works available in accessible formats that can be used by blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print disabled persons. It also allows these works to be exchanged across borders by authorized organizations that serve those beneficiaries. As of January 2021, 79 contracting parties covering 105 countries had ratified or acceded to the Marrakesh Treaty. Accessible Books Consortium The Accessible Books Consortium, launched in 2014, is a public-private partnership led by the World Intellectual Property Organization to implement the Marrakesh Treaty. It includes organizations that represent people with print disabilities (such as the World Blind Union), libraries for the blind, standards bodies, organizations representing authors and publishers, and collective management organizations. Its goal is to increase the number of books worldwide in accessible formats, such as Braille, audio, e-text and large print, and to make these available to people who are print disabled, thereby contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Accessible Books Consortium works in three areas: providing funding, training, and technical assistance to produce educational titles in accessible formats; promoting the production of “born accessible” works, that is, books that are usable from the start by both sighted persons and the print disabled; and the ABC Global Book Service, a global library catalog of accessible formats. 45 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 2: Project Methodology Annex 2: Project Methodology To conduct this study, G3ict conducted a set of activities within a timeframe of five months, from June 2023 through the October 31, 2023. A team of experts in the field of ICT policies, in addition to administrative and field coordinators, was formed to carry out these tasks. Given that Russian is one of the native languages in Uzbekistan, G3ict also appointed an expert from Russia to help in the collection of data and review of essential official documents, such as relevant legislation, regulations, and policies. Furthermore, to facilitate the coordination of field activities, G3ict reached out to one of the major OPDs in Uzbekistan, the ADPU. The ADPU delegated two of its active leaders to help the project team in its data collection efforts through connection with relevant stakeholders. In preparation for the project, G3ict conducted a preliminary field visit to Uzbekistan in February 2023. During this visit, the team of researchers was able to collect preliminary data through meetings with stakeholders, including a specialized boarding school for the blind, representatives of two private sector companies, and a group of AT specialists. In addition, the G3ict team held one focus group in Tashkent (the capital city) and another in a rural area. Each focus group consisted of around 15 participants, including both women and men with different types of disabilities, mainly blind persons, and persons with mobility disabilities. At project inception in June 2023, the G3ict team submitted a draft report based on its February field visit to Uzbekistan. To complete the data collection process and fill in data gaps, the project team next devised a broad ranging itinerary for a second field visit to Tashkent that took place from July 24–25, 2023. At that time, the project team spent five days collecting comprehensive data through meetings with: ● Five OPDs: ADPU, the Society of the Blind, the Society of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inklyuziv Jamiyat, and Sharoit Plus. ● Three ministries: the Ministry of Digital Development, Ministry of Higher Education, and Ministry of Investment. ● Two private sector telecommunications companies: Beeline and Uztelecom. ● Two international development organizations: UNICEF and USAID. The team also met with IT Park, an agency that was launched by the GoU in 2019. The role of this agency is to coordinate the implementation of the Uzbekistan Digital Strategy 2030 and to act as an incubator for ICT startups. In addition to representatives of IT Park, leaders of three startups joined this meeting: EPAM SYSTEMS, a leading digital transformation service and product engineering company; MAAB INNOVATIONS, a Tashkent-based IT organization specializing in business intelligence services; and Vention IT Services and IT Consulting, which focuses on telecommunications infrastructure development. On the first day of this field visit, the team held a focus group session in Tashkent with approximately 15 women and men with different types of disabilities, mainly blind persons and persons with mobility disabilities. Almost all participants in the two focus groups held in Tashkent (the first in February of 46 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 2: Project Methodology 2023 and the second in July of 2023), had previously had IT training, which they had received on their own or through one of the OPD-created training programs. On the contrary, participants in the focus group that took place in the rural region during the preliminary field visit in February showed little prior familiarity or experience with IT. In rural area focus group, 70 percent of blind persons used push-button phones, as most of them were not aware of accessible touch-screen smartphones or were not sure how to use smartphones due to the lack of basic digital knowledge and skills. In the three focus groups, it was difficult to involve persons who were deaf or hard of hearing due to the very limited number of sign language interpreters and live captioning services in the country. In addition, it was very difficult to include persons with intellectual and developmental or psychosocial disabilities. Most parents of persons with these types of disabilities in Uzbekistan continue to be very hesitant to expose their children’s disabilities due to the prevailing social stigmatization. According to a report by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Situation Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan” and published in 2021,37 “[s]tigma, negative stereotypes, and rampant discrimination of persons with disabilities in all areas of life have been invoked by every single stakeholder in the research as critical gaps to inclusion.” However, Uzbekistan’s endorsement of the United Nations CRPD raises hope for improvement on how persons with disabilities of all genders and ages in this country will be perceived going forward. In conjunction with hosting this field visit, the G3ict project team reviewed the relevant legislation, regulations, and policies that form the overall implementation framework for both the digital component of the NDS and the Uzbekistan Digital Strategy 2030. In addition, the project has been relying on the expertise of G3ict-affiliated specialists to identify global best practices to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the GoU’s telecommunications sector and digital economy. Thanks to the efforts of these specialists, the project has managed to identify approximately 20 global best practices that reflect mechanisms for promoting digital accessibility in countries around the world. These include, for example: ● Development of a legislative framework for inclusive ICT and digital accessibility. ● Capacity building and educational frameworks to train relevant specialists on different aspects of digital accessibility. ● Promotion of affordable AT through public procurement policies and programs. ● Education resources to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities especially in the ICT job markets. All interviews and focus group discussions with the ICT specialists were planned and prepared based on a set of questions dedicated to each type of stakeholder. To develop these questions, the project team reviewed documents related to the World Bank Digital Inclusion Project for Uzbekistan, particularly the project appraisal document. The questions presented were aimed at identifying the contexts in which persons with disabilities have been included within different aspects of ongoing development efforts of the telecommunications sector in Uzbekistan. More specifically, the questions were intended to look at: 37 United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, “Situation Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan” (2021), p 65, https://www.unicef.org/uzbekistan/media/5076/file/Situational%20analysis.pdf. 47 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y Annex 2: Project Methodology ● The current legislative framework of the ICT sector and the extent to which it recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to digital inclusion. ● The level at which persons with disabilities and their organizations are engaged by the government in decision-making processes regarding digital inclusion issues. ● The extent to which the country’s telecommunications infrastructure considers requirements for digital inclusion of persons with disabilities, in both urban and rural areas, on an ongoing basis. ● The application of national legislation and policies to any nationally developed standards on digital inclusion of persons with disabilities. ● The extent to which equal opportunities are made available for persons with disabilities to enhance their employability for entering the ICT job market and to enable them to participate actively in the country’s digital economy. ● The implementation of programs by internet and mobile service providers in Uzbekistan that offer discounted services to enhance persons with disabilities’ opportunities for ICT accessibility and digital inclusion. ● The role of foreign investors in promoting the practice of digital inclusion of persons with disabilities, particularly through potential support for the country’s AT market. ● The size of the AT market in Uzbekistan and the extent to which this technology is made available and affordable for persons with disabilities. ● The extent to which public procurement funding bodies and mechanisms recognize the sponsorship of AT for persons with disabilities as a strategy for promoting the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities. 48 AC C E L E R AT I N G T H E I N C LU S I O N O F P E R S O N S W I T H D I SA B I L I T I E S I N U Z B E K I STA N’ S D I G I TA L E C O N O M Y