The Institute on Disability and Public Policy at American University is a multidisciplinary, cross-campus research center that creates and disseminates knowledge that enables all persons to participate effectively in local, national, and global governance through the use of accessible information and communication technologies. IDPP leads the AU 2030 Strategic Initiative on Global Disability and Development, and helps to facilitate collaborative research, teaching and outreach programs through its partnerships.

Since 2009, IDPP has been creating groundbreaking, innovative pathways to accessible learning. It built the world's first virtual graduate institute on disability and public policy through the vision and support of The Nippon Foundation.

Our Core Focus Areas:

  • Global, Regional and National Disability Policy

  • Inclusive Sustainable Development

  • Accessible Global Governance

  • Inclusive Cities and Urban Development

  • Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Information and Communication Technologies for Development

  • Accessible Robotics

  • Accessible Cyberlearning

  • Accessibility, Assistive Technologies and Universal Design

Featured
New Research Examines Accessibility Barriers to the United Nations and Other Global Decision-Making Forums
New Research Examines Accessibility Barriers to the United Nations and Other Global Decision-Making Forums

A new study provides empirical evidence behind the substantially low participation rates of persons with disabilities within the United Nations system.

IDPP Showcases Research at COSP-11 Side Event on Data, Disability and Development

The AU Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) is co-sponsoring the Side Event "Data, Disability and Development: Innovative Approaches to Monitoring and Evaluating CRPD Implementation and Disability-Inclusive Development using Big Data Analytics and Text Mining" at the 11th Conference of States Parties (COSP-11) to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at United Nations headquarters in New York on June 13, 2018 from 1:15pm-2:30pm in Room S-2729 in the UN Secretariat Building.

Dr Derrick Cogburn Attending WSIS Forum 2018
Dr Derrick Cogburn Attending WSIS Forum 2018

The annual World Summit on the Information Society Forum (WSIS) represents the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. The 2018 WSIS Forum is being held this week (March 19-23) in Geneva, Switzerland, at the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Centre International des Conférences Genève. Dr Derrick Cogburn, Faculty Co-Director of the Internet Governance Lab (IGL) and Executive Director of the IDPP, is attending the Forum as a speaker, where he will promote the IGL's mission of policy-engaged research on digital infrastructure and governance in support of a free and open Internet.
IDPP Joint Advisory Board Chair Amb. Gallegos Appointed to Serve UN Office in Geneva

IDPP offers its heartfelt congratulations to Amb. Luis Gallegos, chair of the IDPP Joint Advisory Board, for his appointment as Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office in Geneva by Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno. Amb. Gallegos has a long and distinguished career in diplomacy and advocating for disability rights and human rights, including his role as chair of the UN taskforce that negotiated the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
IDPP/AU and Special Olympics Collaborate to Advance Research on Disability

American University (AU) and Special Olympics have announced a new collaboration that will include research and educational initiatives focused on persons with intellectual disabilities, and that will provide substantial outreach opportunities for students and faculty. This unique collaboration coincides with the 50th anniversary year of Special Olympics and the unveiling of AU’s new strategic initiative on global disability and development, led by its Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP). AU will host a signing ceremony to commemorate its partnership with Special Olympics and to inaugurate the new initiative on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Palmer Kettler Lounge in the AU Sports Center. AU President Burwell, Special Olympics Chairman Shriver and Special Olympics D.C. athlete Novie Craven will commemorate the new agreement between the two institutions.

Side Event at the International Day for People with Disability
Side Event at the International Day for People with Disability

IDPP will be hosting a side event at 20th International Day for Persons with Disabilities in New York at UN Headquarters on December 1 from 1:15pm-2:30pm. IDPP partnered with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division on Social Policy and Development, and the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to host the event.

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