The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
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>> Hi, everyone. Hello. Can you hear? Hi, everyone. And welcome to the session where we'll talk about one of the latest initiatives that have been recently launched by the Digital Government Authority in Saudi Arabia. Which is the Digital Inclusiveness in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to enable people with disability and elderly.
Today, we'll talk about the overhaul of the digital transformation and innovation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Then we'll talk about the Digital Inclusiveness Program with its usability lab. And we'll end up with some success stories from digital exclusiveness initiatives. If you have any question, you may ask at the end of this question.
To start with, actually, the digital government ‑‑ or the Vision 2030 digital transformation and innovation. To ensure the successful achievement of the national goals for vibrant society, thriving economy, as well as ambitious nation. Because of that, as you can see, Saudi Arabia is top in the government global indexes. For example, it's ranked first regionally in the ESCWA. Which is the government electronic and mobile service index.
It's ranked number third globally in the government tech maturity index by the World Bank. And it's ranked number sixth globally in the E‑government development index. As well as number eight in the digital government most producing country.
The Digital Government Authority was established in 2021. To play the main role of organizing the digital landscape in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the government entities. The Digital Government Authority, as a result, have established an innovation hub for the sake of fostering innovation. As well as enable government entities to design and test their creative solution.
What we have and provide inside the innovation hub? First of all, programs and initiatives falls under the innovation hub. Firstly, we provide digital advisory and study. Where we consult government entity in terms of digital transformation. As well as enriching the digital content with the latest digital study.
At the same time, one of the success stories is the training program. Which is called Q‑Tech. We have trained more than 400 employees among their professional or executive employees in different government entities. At the same time, we are providing awards and digital competitiveness program. To incentivize government entity. To reshape their digital solutions and projects to their end user.
At the same time, we provide innovation and experience design. And lastly emerging technology program to make some proof of concept of the latest technology and examine that in collaboration with the government entities. To see to what extent technology can bring digital solution for different government entities.
Secondly, we provide labs and spaces. They include design studio. Usability lab. Learning experience lab. Emerging technology lab. As well as experimental or XReality lab.
For example, in the learning experience, we are observing the current tools and techniques being provided as learning techniques. And we reshape those techniques inside the observation room. As well as in the emerging technology lab. We are examining to what extent some emerging technologies, for example, can play a vital role when it comes to the digital transformation and innovation.
Now let's talk about our initiative that has been recently launched by Digital Government Authority. Which is digital inclusivity program. As you can see, before we start, there is a need for such initiative. More than 1.6 million elder population, which equals 4.8 of the total population of 35 million.
This number is expected to increase by 11% in 2023. At the same time, 1.4 million people with disabilities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Which is equals to 4.2% of the total population of 35 million. Some examples of those disabilities include cognitive impairments. Mobility impairments. Visual impairments. And other physical difficulties. And hearing impairments.
So, because of that, we have launched the digital inclusivity program to advance government excellence in digital inclusivity and accessibility in government services. It provides essential tools. And allows us to support digital integration and foster innovation in the delivery of government services.
There are a couple of things I would like to highlight here. Firstly, what do we mean by inclusiveness is to ensure pendency and ease of use of digital services for everyone. While inclusiveness aims not to digitize services. But rather to ensure they are designed to include everyone.
The objective of digital inclusivity program includes increasing the independence to users in accessing government services. By designing services that are accessibility and easy to use for all groups. Including elderly and persons with disability.
And, secondly, align with the accessibility standard. Means making sure that the digital services and platform follow recognized guidelines, like WCAG. To ensure they are useable for everyone. Including people with disabilities.
Thirdly, humanizing the service experience. For the sake of providing accessible services for individual who has challenges in dealing with digital devices. Including elderly and patient.
The type of target audience we are seeking for the time being are two types of audience. Government entities. Because they provide product and services. And individual. And especially people with disabilities and elderly. Who are in need of support of those digital services and products.
What I'm trying to say here, although the program covers many sectors and audience, our attentions for the time being are focused mainly and precisely for those given audience. As you can see, the digital inclusivity program comes with a lot of services. First of all, we provide digital and physical solution. Which is design and develop physical products and services targeting people with disabilities or the elderly.
This service is linked directly to the SDGs goal number 4.C and 11.7. The consultation and evaluation. Where we provide support regarding the effectiveness in targeting persons with disability and elderly. This service is linked directly with SDGs goal number 11.7.
For the community participation, what we mean by that, ensuring participation of person with disability and elderly during the design of policies and products. And taking their opinion into consideration. And this links directly to goal number 9.6, goal number 10.2, and goal number 16.7.
We, at the same time, provide the service of motivation and rewards. Where we encourage government entities to provide initiatives and accessible services for persons with disability and elderly. And this links directly to goal number 10.2.
We provide services for legislation and compliance. In terms of reviewing and assisting the extent of government entities' compliance with digital legislation. To ensure it aligns with the need of person with disability and elderly. And this service linked to number 10.2 and 16.7.
At the same time, we train our government entities. To ensure they follow the latest needs when it comes to ensure and include people with disability in their digital services and products.
Now, we'll move into the usability lab as an enabler for our initiative. Which is digital inclusivity program. It's actually the inclusion lab is dedicated space, empowering government entities to utilize its cutting‑edge technologies. To enhance the user experience of their digital products and services.
The lab has a lot of features. Including eye tracking technology. Audio tools. 360 cameras. This is some of the photos being taken from the lab observe industry room and usability testing room.
What I'm trying to say is the target audience of the digital inclusion labs include two types of audience. Our internal Digital Government Authority teams. Where they can examine the usability and accessibility of both external and internal products. To enhance the overall digital experience.
We provide such lab as well to the government entities. To serve them with, let's say, looking to enhance the overall digital experience. In terms of especially usability and accessibility.
The services that the digital inclusion lab provides. Including enhancing digital service delivery for the sake of better digital services. And ensuring compliance and accessibility. Which comes into account with WCAG compliance.
At the same time support of digital transformation. And continuous improvement. To foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. In the design and delivery of government services.
Let's move into some success stories from digital inclusivity initiatives in Saudi Arabia. First of all, Ministry of Justice, with their mobile notary service. Free service provided by Ministry of Justice through application. Targeting individuals unable to visit notary offices. Such as people with disability. As a result of this service, more than 50,000 beneficiaries of this service.
Second service is Ministry of Interior, the Taqdeer service. Which falls under humanizing the service. It's a social service dedicated for individual who is unable to visit civil offices. Such as elder citizens, patients, people with disability. The civil services are provided at their location. As a result of such service, more than 75,000 users who have utilized such service.
The third success story is the Saudi Red Crescent Authority with their service for visual communication service. It's providing system for visual communication service for individual with hearing impairments. Like deaf and mute. Offering sign language service. Using video call technology. By certified specialists. With high expert ‑‑ experiment and proficient.
This service aims to deliver emerging system to the deaf and mute community. While ensuring the highest level of security and privacy. As a result of such service, more than 35,000 people have utilized such service.
The last example or success story we have is from the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. With their service that's called "Between Them." The Between Them application interactive virtual allows patients to connect with their families in a virtual environment. It enables patients to evaluate their experience. And share feedback on the provided service.
As a result of such service, more than 44,000 users and especially patients have utilized such service. What I'm trying to say here, this is an example that we brought to you from Digital Government Authority. About how we include people, disabled people in our current products and services. And ensuring the redesigning of services at their needs.
Thank you for listening. Please, if you have any question, go ahead. Yes?
>> PARTICIPANT: Can you hear me now?
>> Yes.
>> PARTICIPANT: This is (?) from Norwegian Visualization Agency and the Norwegian (?). In other part of the world, the term we use is digital accessibility and digital inclusiveness. But in Norway, we use (?) That's why we have authority for universal design of ICG Norway.
My question is about ‑‑ I have, actually, three questions. Question one is regulation authority. If in compliance with national legislation. And my second question is about, you mentioned you are following WCAG standards. WCAG has like 78 requirements. 78 success criterias.
So how many of these requirements are (?) to follow? My third question is you mentioned legislation only applied to public sector bodies. In Saudi Arabia, I see sixth rank in EU rank index. So my question is why are private authorities not included?
Maybe one question. What kind of digital services the legislation applies to? Is it only on‑site applications or services with machines? Maybe digital documents like PDF (?) or other documents? Thanks.
>> Thank you. Let's answer the first question about the regulations. Actually, the platform is called e‑participation. Where people can send their feedback about the current services and products being provided by government entities.
So the end user, citizens, visitors, can reshape the future of the government in Saudi Arabia. So in terms of regulations, the government ‑‑ Digital Government Authority works hand‑in‑hand with other government authorities for the legislation when it comes to digital transformation and innovation.
The second question, I believe, was about ranking of Saudi Arabia as the sixth in the U.N. Success stories we brought here to ensure collaboration. It's all about collaboration. Digital Government Authority have worked with all government entities. To ensure there is no one left behind when it comes to providing digital service, or delivery of digital services to the end user.
I think the third question was about the naming. Whether it's called accessibility or...
>> PARTICIPANT: My third question was actually the number of requirements businesses, public sector bodies have to follow. And you mentioned WCAG. WCAG has 78 criterias. So how many requirements public sector bodies in Saudi have to follow?
And fourth question was why the legislation not apply to private sector bodies? As you mentioned, Saudi Arabia ranked sixth in the U.N. I know private sector, they also develop services that (?) supply to the citizens. That's why I'm asking question why it don't apply. Two questions basically.
>> I got it. For the private sectors, actually, we have an initiative Digital Government Authority which includes 3PP. Where there's collaboration between government entities and private sectors to design digital service for the government, or on behalf of government entities by the private sectors.
There is an initiative. We have it. It's coded for the such goal for the requirements. As far as I know, we are following precisely the WCAG standards for the time being. Thank you.
[ Speaking non‑English ]
>> I think we don't have another question. Thank you, again, for attending such session. Thank you so much.
