Digital economy in post-pandemic world must be inclusive of people with disabilities: ILO

A recent report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said that advances in the digital economy significantly accelerated by COVID-19 pandemic are creating unprecedented opportunities to build a more inclusive world of work for the more than one billion people with disabilities globally. The report titled ‘An inclusive digital economy for people with disabilities’, however, added that digital barriers also threaten to aggravate existing inequalities and exclusion unless they are countered with effective and targeted initiatives. It is worth noting that the report was prepared by ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN) and Spanish disability NGO Fundacion ONCE.

The report looks at the effects of the digital revolution on the creation of jobs, changes to existing roles and work models as well as online recruitment processes. It also highlights key areas for action by different groups of stakeholders including the digital industry, academia, governments, workers and employers and people with disabilities themselves. Further, the report even highlights three main levers for creating a more inclusive digital labour market for persons with disabilities: ensuring accessibility, fostering digital skills and promoting digital employment. 

READ: 'COVID-19 Variants Raise Questions Around Vaccines', Says WHO Chief After New Study

The study said that the increase in digital work creates acute problems for those without the necessary skills or equipment. It pointed out that due to persistent exclusion, people with disabilities generally have lower levels of education and training than their peers without disabilities. Hence, reselling and upskilling will be key to building an inclusive future of work, alongside initiatives to foster digital employment and support collaboration between relevant stakeholders, the report said. 

‘Tech revolution must include people with disabilities’ 

However, the study also warned that a lack of accessible assistive technologies can create new barriers because without it many essential digital tools will not be usable by people with disabilities. Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO's conditions of work and equality department, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated trends already present in the world of work, including the expansion of the digital economy. She said that the world must direct this trend in a bid to support an "inclusive future".  

READ: Pfizer Vaccine Can Neutralise Coronavirus Variants First Reported In UK, SA: Study

“We must ensure that we direct this trend so that it supports an inclusive future of work in which the talents and skills of persons with disabilities can contribute to the success of workplaces and societies worldwide,” Tomei added. 

Fernando Riano, Director of Institutional Relations and Social Responsibility in ONCE Social Group, said: "In order to leave no one behind, the technological revolution which we are living and which has been accelerated by the pandemic needs to ensure an inclusive design for people with disabilities, so prevent it being a barrier for them”. 

(With inputs from ANI) 

READ: CDC Study Finds Two Masks Are Better Than One Vs. COVID-19

READ: Coronavirus Can Infiltrate Crucial Brain Cells, Causing Neurons To Die: Study