DISABILITY INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY

DISABILITY INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY

Image of accessibility centre pinsAs part of the implementation of the Secretary-General's bulletin on the employment and accessibility for staff members with disabilities in the United Nations Secretariat, we are committed to taking appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in the workplace through the adoption of standards and guidelines for the United Nations Secretariat. This ensures that staff members with disabilities have access to physical facilities, conferences and services, documentation and information, and professional development. Such measures are being taken within existing resources or with additional resources approved for this purpose by the General Assembly. 

Accessibility features in UN recruitment 

Recent steps towards this goal was the launch of accessibility features on the UN Careers Portal and inspira, the recruitment platform for the Secretariat. An “accessibility” button, available on the Careers Portal and inspira homepages, allows users with disabilities to access the content and functionalities of the websites and learn more about working at the United Nations. 

The accessibility features include adjustments to monitor settings, keyboard navigation, and the ability to function with a wide range of standard assistive technologies, such as screen readers and alternative keyboards. The seven predefined accessibility profiles, in both English and French, from which users can select are: 

  • Screen Reader
  • Keyboard Navigation
  • Color Contrast
  • Monochromatic
  • Text Color Contrast
  • Block Blinking
  • Help

These enhancements are just one part of the United Nations’ commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all and reaffirms the 2030 Agenda pledge to “leave no one behind”. 

Videos

Austism awareness webinar with Austism Speaks 
hosted by Office of Human Resources and Staff Union
New York (May 2020) 

 

 

 Disability awareness webinar with NYC Mayor's Office for Person's with Disabilities hosted by Office of Human Resources and Staff Union New York (November 2019)
Accessibility features on the UN recruitment platforms to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key pages: 
DESA Division for Inclusive Social Development
The Division seeks to strengthen international cooperation for achieving social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities, by fostering effective policy impact and intensified global dialogue on social development issues.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Important documents: 
Checklist - Creating accessible Word and PDF documents
Refer to this checklist to ensure your Word and PDF documents are accessible.
Accessibility quick guide
Provides details of the accessibility features on the UN Careers Portal and inspira
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Online Learning Framework
The Online Learning Framework is a set of tools and recommendations that provides guidance and promotes shared standards for the development of online learning products at the United Nations. It is a guide and toolkit for the learning community in the United Nations Secretariat, including learning managers and staff working or interested in creating online learning programmes, that can be used to produce accessible digital content that all learners, regardless of disabilities, are able to navigate, understand and interact with.
Other related links: 
Accessibility video training
Learn about key improvements in Microsoft Office that make it more accessible for all.