Sustainable Development Goals

Working with Direct Access, we will enable your organisation to take vital steps towards meeting social, economic, and environmental impact goals.

The 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development led to a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs). These SDGs address all three dimensions of sustainable development (environmental, economic and social) and are integrated into the United Nations global development agenda. Not only are municipal, regional and federal governments tasked with putting these goals into action before 2030, but so are corporations, institutions, public services and SMEs. Each are expected to align their venues, products, services and employment practices to achieving several of the seventeen goals.

Disability is referenced in various parts of the SDGs and specifically in parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and monitoring of the SDGs, for instance:

Goal 4 – on inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all focuses on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. In addition, the proposal calls for building and upgrading education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and also provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, the international community aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

Goal 10 – to reduce inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.

Goal 11 – working to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable. To realize this goal, Member States are called upon to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities. In addition, the proposal calls for providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for persons with disabilities.

Sustainability is at the heart of Direct Access and everything that we do. Our accessibility consultancy and services provide the requisite deliverables to achieving SDG #4, #8, #10 and #11 drawing on the principles of universal design.

Our founder, who is profoundly deaf, pledged to provide employment and fair wages within the untapped market and skills of disabled persons. With more than 80% of the Direct Access team having a disability as well as unique skills and talents, Direct Access Group leads the way in achieving SDG #8.

Disability in Sustainability Reporting now aligns the Global Reporting Initiatives’ standards with those of the SDGs. Working with Direct Access, your organisation will be able to contribute, in significant ways, to social, economic, and environmental impact.