Public Policy Document

The National Digital Accessibility Policy is a supportive policy for digital transformation and service efficiency in the UAE, ensuring digital inclusivity for all segments of society, including People of Determination and senior citizens, enabling them to access all products, including websites, applications, software, and digital interfaces.

The policy aims to enhance national efforts to achieve an inclusive society, free of barriers, ensuring empowerment and dignified living for People of Determination and senior citizens in the UAE to access digital services with ease and high efficiency. Additionally, it supports the efforts of the Federal Government and local governments in transitioning to an integrated and interconnected digital government at the level of services enhanced by digital accessibility and optimal use of modern digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital transactions. This includes prioritizing services for these groups and leveraging modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital transactions, for enhanced inclusivity and efficiency of services.
 

1. Clarify the general terms and conditions related to regulating the transition to digital accessibility for providers of public services from the government sector, semi-governmental entities, and the private sector providing public services in all sectors, including, but not limited to, the healthcare sector, education sector, and e-commerce, in addition to private sector companies operating in public service or involved in the production and distribution of various types of digital content.
2. Establish general principles for all digital government service providers across various sectors concerning the implementation of improvements to their digital services published on the internet, mobile device applications, digital service devices, and developing digital services in a manner that ensures digital accessibility for People of Determination and senior citizens, thereby ensuring ease of use, efficiency, and effectiveness.
3. Set general principles for operators and providers of telecommunications services and (smart) mobile and fixed devices, ensuring that services and applications provided are enhanced with digital accessibility technologies to enable People of Determination to use them, including emergency services.
4. Support the efforts of the Federal Government and local governments in transitioning to an integrated and interconnected digital government at the level of services enhanced by digital accessibility and enabling optimal use of modern digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital transactions.
5. Provide a paperless environment, increase productivity and operational efficiency, improve user experience, enhance digital accessibility, and increase national-level operational flexibility.
6. Convert digital services available on websites and within (smart) mobile device applications into services enhanced with digital accessibility features according to best practices, following an implementation plan prioritizing services for People of Determination and senior citizens.
7. Define enforcement mechanisms and oversight of implementation processes and compliance with digital accessibility requirements, as well as identifying required local and global technical standards and tools to be adhered to.
    

1. General Provisions:
   • Seven fundamental provisions to ensure digital accessibility for all segments of society, including People of Determination and senior citizens:
     • Confirmation of ensuring digital accessibility for all segments of society, including People of Determination and senior citizens, enabling them to access all products, including websites, mobile applications, software, and digital interfaces, in compliance with the policy issued by the competent authority.
     • Formalizing relationships and partnerships with relevant civil society organizations regarding services provided to support People of Determination and senior citizens.
     • Enhancing stakeholders' awareness, including governmental bodies, specialized private organizations, and People of Determination, about the importance of involving People of Determination and senior citizens in policy-making processes concerning them.
     • Adopting the principle of "no decisions regarding digital accessibility for People of Determination and senior citizens should be made without involving them."
     • Enhancing active participation of People of Determination and senior citizens in every team addressing their issues and working to improve existing legislation to encourage their involvement in policy formulation.
     • Adopting the principle of non-discrimination, requiring operators and providers of digital accessibility services to avoid discrimination, including unintended discrimination, against People of Determination. This can be achieved through implementing the principle of universal design.
     • Organizing awareness programs and marketing campaigns based on digital accessibility and the services, options, and equipment available to People of Determination and senior citizens.
2. Responsibilities of Federal Government Entities:
   • Directing governmental entities in effectively implementing digital accessibility.
3. Awareness and Integration:
   • Duties of Federal Government Entities to facilitate the integration of People of Determination in digital fields.
4. Training:
   • Mandatory fundamental training for governmental entities' employees on methods to enhance the digital environment.
5. Technical Guidance Manual for National Digital Accessibility Policy:
   • Key guidance instructions, based on best practices recommended for governmental entities, to ensure compliance with the policy requirements.
6. Role of Digital Accessibility Officer:
   • Defining the functional tasks of the Digital Accessibility Officer to ensure compliance with the policy.

1. Enhance the digital economy by empowering all segments of society digitally.
2. Improve the quality of digital life in the country.
3. Boost the UAE’s rankings in global competitiveness indices.
4. Ensure the sustainability and continuity of digital accessibility initiatives due to their significant impact on digital transformation in the country, based on the principle of "no decisions regarding digital accessibility for People of Determination and senior citizens should be made without involving them."
5. Enhance active participation of People of Determination and senior citizens in every team addressing their issues and work on improving existing legislation to encourage their involvement in policy formulation and development.
    

People of Determination and senior citizens.