The world is rapidly changing under the influence of climate disasters, armed conflicts, demographic shifts, and medical progress. More and more people are facing temporary or permanent health-related limitations that require adaptation of both physical and digital environment. In this context, the topic of inclusion is no longer a matter of a narrow social agenda, but becomes a fundamental element of sustainable societal development.
What is gaining particular importance is digital inclusion – equal access to technologies, information, communication, and educational opportunities for all, including children and young people with disabilities. In the era of digital transformation, technologies are becoming the key tool for inclusion, socialization, and unlocking the potential of these groups. At the same time, the global community must find adequate responses to challenges, as low accessibility of digital services on emerging markets, the lack of assistive solutions, and the absence of systemic coordination between the state, business, and civil society are significantly hindering progress.
The growing significance of mobile apps and solutions that develop in sync with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data opens new horizons. These technologies can not only compensate for limitations but also expand freedoms, helping people learn, communicate, work, and express themselves in the digital environment on equal terms with others.
Particular attention must be paid to digital inclusion in education. Without the development of adaptive platforms and learning tools for children with disabilities, it is impossible to speak of real equality of self-realization opportunities. Meanwhile, educational and technological solutions are often created without considering the specific needs of such users, which requires rethinking approaches and regulatory frameworks.
Fostering digital citizenship is also necessary for the sustainable development of an inclusive society where public and social institutions provide mechanisms for active inclusion of people with disabilities in social and economic life. This is not just about removing barriers, but about creating a systemic, human-centered environment which is truly accessible, safe, and open to all.
The session called "Inclusion as the New Normal: Unlocking the Freedom of the Digital World" will serve as a platform for discussion about cutting-edge practices and strategies: from convergence technologies on emerging markets to specific mobile solutions that are already transforming people’s lives. A dialogue between experts in the sphere of equal rights, IT business representatives, developers, and NGOs will help outline the benchmarks for digital inclusion as a necessary standard of the future.
