Technology and innovation are a critical factor to improve access to affordable and relevant services and have the potential to encourage an inclusive economy. Important policy actions are needed to overcome impediments preventing people with disabilities in Asia and Pacific from being empowered through technology and innovation. Up until now, not everyone has been able to benefit from the opportunities offered by technology and innovation.

By providing access to affordable and relevant technology and innovation to people with disabilities, there is an opportunity to create additional jobs, facilitate business and trade, achieve sustainable development and leave no one behind. To maximize the potential of technology and innovation, governments need to develop policies at the national level that can help to solve the challenges faced by people with disabilities. ESCAP supports various activities and initiatives to stimulate inclusion of people with disabilities in the Asia and the Pacific region.

This Expert Meeting provided a forum for participants to discuss the main impediments preventing people with disabilities in Asia and Pacific from being empowered through technologies, and to identify priority policy actions to overcome these. Additionally, the meeting discussed how development and implementation of the identified priority public policy actions can be promoted.