World Blind Union

This collaboration is grounded in the shared commitment of CBM Global and WBU to the rights of persons with disabilities and the recognition of the role of organizations representing persons with disabilities (OPDs) in leading systemic change. This unique agreement has laid down the foundations and provided the resources needed through the CBM Switzerland/Global Grant for WBU to lead on the accessibility work. Together, we are developing tools and resources to enhance accessibility, notably the co-development, launch, and roll-out of Accessibility GO! A Guide to Action, showcasing the impactful results of their joint efforts.

Read more about Accessibility Go! A Guide to Action, a practical guide for individuals and organizations to take concrete steps toward fostering accessibility.

UN-Habitat provides national and local governments with resources, tools, and advice to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind. With offices at global, regional, multi-country, and country levels, UN-Habitat has been a key partner in WBU’s urban development work. WBU became the first global OPD to officially partner with UNHabitat. This collaboration was formalized with a 4-year milestone agreement signed in January 2020, aimed at accelerating disability inclusion, accessibility, and universal design in line with the CRPD and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.

Our joint efforts were instrumental in the development and adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty, enhancing access to published works worldwide. Additionally, WBU holds a permanent position on the Board of the Accessible Books Consortium, a WIPO initiative that promotes the accessibility of books in accessible formats globally. Through this partnership, we continue to advocate for policies that foster an inclusive culture of information sharing and copyright respect.

Our collaboration has focused on making health information and resources, including rapid tests, more accessible to blind and partially sighted communities worldwide. This partnership underscores our commitment to ensuring that health emergencies do not disproportionately affect those who are blind or partially sighted, advocating for inclusive health policies and practices that cater to the needs of all.

IDA, as the umbrella organization for the global disability rights movement, unites global and regional organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advocate for their rights. WBU collaborates closely with IDA on advocacy, capacity development, and partnerships, working together to advance the implementation of the CRPD, promote disability-inclusive policies, and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities in global forums.

WBU became the first global OPD to officially partner with UCLG, signing a historic agreement in 2023 to strengthen the focus on the rights of persons with disabilities within local governments and promote greater inclusion in urban development and city planning. The agreement emphasizes the need for active and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in designing and implementing urban policies, programs, and services, highlighting the critical role of local and regional governments in removing barriers to inclusion and participation.

Read more about:

• The Policy Paper on Inclusive and Accessible Cities in 2019, which informs the strategic direction of UCLG to mainstream persons with disabilities, universal design, and accessibility within their membership.
• The ‘Policy Brief on Localization to Solve the Accessibility Crisis: Recommendations to States Parties for Immediate Action’ (EN, SP, FR), which offers essential guidance for national governments and LRGs to collaborate, fostering localization efforts and eliminating accessibility barriers in alignment with the CRPD and the global agendas.
• In direct response to the policy brief, WBU worked with UCLG to successfully launch a Global Survey on Accessibility and Engagement of Persons with Disabilities, which is a tool to map how local and regional governments are addressing accessibility and engaging with persons with disabilities.

Together we actively engage in joint advocacy events, including World Urban Forums and COP28, sharing learnings, and addressing issues around climate action, resilience and inclusive infrastructure. Their contribution extended to authoring an article in WBU’s and City Space Architecture’s special issue of The Journal of Public Space.

WBU and CSA partnered following our joint commitment captured in Abu Dhabi Declared Action to create more awareness on accessibility in public spaces at WUF11 by publishing a Special Issue of the journal focusing on ‘Universally Accessible Public Spaces for All‘. The special issue was launched at WUF11 across various events and captured research, case studies, and viewpoints related to progress and learnings towards making public spaces more inclusive and accessible for all. Since 2020, we have engaged around numerous events relating to public space.

G3ICT is a close ally of WBU and is implementing the renown  Smart Cities for All program. WBU engages within the advisory committee to this program and collaborates around various initiatives towards WBU’s goals. The partnership has been instrumental in supporting WBU’s members scholarships and broader engagement around Digital Accessibility and accessible Smart Cities globally including collaboration with IAAP on webinars series on Accessible Smart Cities and Digital Accessibility, joint advocacy during UCLG Congress and support on advocacy dialogue around new technology, AI and the Global Digital Compact together with other key stakeholders.

Read more about:

• The Digital Accessibility Policy, Guidelines, and Standards Harmonization (DASH) Work Group, a G3ict Multistakeholder Brainstorming Work Group in support of the Development and Implementation of the United Nations Global Digital Compact, Pact for the Future, AI Governance.