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Report on Enhancing Digital Accessibility in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report outlines procedures for configuring system and browser settings on Apple’s macOS platform to improve digital accessibility. The implementation of these configurations is a critical action in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on reducing inequality, promoting quality education, ensuring decent work, and building inclusive societies.

System-Level Accessibility Configuration for macOS

Enabling comprehensive keyboard navigation is a foundational step toward achieving digital inclusivity. This directly supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that individuals with motor disabilities can fully access digital tools and platforms. It also underpins SDG 4 (Quality Education) by removing barriers to online learning resources for all students.

To configure system-wide keyboard navigation, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences and select the Keyboard pane.
2. Navigate to the “Shortcuts” tab.
3. Ensure the checkbox for “Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls” is checked.

Browser-Specific Configuration for Safari

To guarantee a fully accessible web browsing experience, additional settings within the Safari browser must be enabled. This measure is vital for promoting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as it allows all individuals to effectively use web-based applications required for modern employment. It further reinforces access to information, a key component of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

To configure Safari for enhanced accessibility, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari and select “Preferences” from the menu.
2. Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
3. Ensure the checkbox for “Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage” is checked.

Conclusion: Fostering an Inclusive Digital Ecosystem

By implementing these technical adjustments, organizations and individuals contribute directly to a more equitable and sustainable global environment. Enhancing digital accessibility is a practical and impactful way to advance the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, which provides instructions on enabling keyboard navigation on Mac OS and Safari, directly relates to improving digital accessibility for users with disabilities. This focus on inclusion and accessibility connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  Ensuring that web pages are navigable via a keyboard is crucial for students with motor disabilities who cannot use a mouse. This allows them equal access to online educational materials, platforms, and resources, thereby promoting inclusive education.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  Many modern jobs require extensive computer and internet use. The accessibility features described in the article enable individuals with disabilities to perform tasks required for employment, supporting their inclusion in the workforce and contributing to economic growth.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s core subject is about removing barriers for people with disabilities in the digital realm. By providing steps to “Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls,” it promotes the digital inclusion of all individuals, regardless of physical ability, reducing the inequality of access to information and services.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  Public access to information is a cornerstone of strong and just institutions. In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that government websites, news outlets, and public service portals are accessible to everyone, including those who rely on keyboard navigation, is essential for civic participation and access to justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The instructions in the article support progress towards the following specific SDG targets:

1. Target 10.2

   “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article directly addresses this target by providing a practical guide to enable a technology feature that facilitates the digital inclusion of people with disabilities.

2. Target 4.5

   “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities…” The ability to “Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage” is a functional requirement for users with certain disabilities to access online courses and educational content, thus supporting this target.

3. Target 8.5

   “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.” The keyboard accessibility settings shown are essential tools that allow persons with motor disabilities to use computers effectively for employment, thereby helping to achieve this target.

4. Target 16.10

   “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.” The article’s guidance helps ensure that digital information is accessible to all, including those with disabilities, which is a key component of public access to information in the digital age.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators. However, it provides tangible examples that can serve as a basis for creating qualitative or process-based indicators. The existence of the features themselves is an indicator of progress.

• Implied Indicator for Target 10.2 & 16.10:

  Availability of built-in accessibility features in mainstream operating systems and web browsers. The article demonstrates that Mac OS and Safari include specific, user-configurable settings for keyboard navigation (“Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls” and “Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage”). The presence and promotion of these features can be measured as an indicator of a technology provider’s commitment to digital inclusion and public access to information.

• Implied Indicator for Target 4.5 & 8.5:

  Proportion of digital tools (operating systems, browsers) that are compliant with accessibility standards. The features described in the article are components of broader web accessibility standards (like WCAG). The article’s content serves as evidence that these specific products (Mac OS, Safari) have implemented features that align with such standards, which is a measurable indicator of progress towards creating inclusive educational and professional environments.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: slcschools.org