The Role of Technology in Disability and Political Rights: Insights from Brazil, South Africa, and Switzerland
Technologies, while often seen as tools for empowerment, can also present new challenges in the political participation of people with disabilities. This seminar delves into the role of technology in fostering political rights of people with disabilities. Drawing on comparative research from Brazil, South Africa, and Switzerland, it critically examines how these technologies can either promote or undermine political rights, contingent upon the surrounding legal and policy frameworks.
The seminar will focus on the political participation of people with disabilities, not merely in terms of voting or the right to be elected, but in their role in contributing to legislative processes. Case studies from these three countries will illustrate how technology can produce vastly different outcomes based on the local legal, social, and political landscapes. The results from an international collaboration funded by the World University Network, between the University of Minas Gerais, the University of Pretoria and the University of Lausanne, will be shared with participants. Discussions will focus on the potential for these tools to either reinforce or diminish political participation and the ways in which policymakers, legal experts, and NGOs can address these challenges.
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Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG): Based in Brazil, UFMG specialises in legislative studies, with its team led by Professor Dr. Fabiana de Menezes Soares, and Cristiane Silva Kaitel, Thábata Filizola and João Vitor Castro Ruas as members. As part of the Observatory for the Quality of Law, UFMG team focuses on how laws are drafted and implemented in Brazil, contributing its expertise in empowering citizens by raising awareness of democratic processes and mitigating the negative impacts of excessive or poorly designed legislation. |
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FUniversity of Pretoria (UP): Based in South Africa, UP is recognized for its expertise in disability law and advocacy. The South African team consists of Prof. Ilze Grobbelaar-du Plessis and Ms. Jolanda Pretorius, both of whom lecture in constitutional law and disability law. Ilze is also engaged in the practical application of disability rights within South Africa's legal framework and legislative processes. UP brings valuable insights into how South Africa is addressing the political participation of people with disabilities, focusing on the South African legal frameworks and the alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
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University of Lausanne (UNIL): UNIL brings expertise in law, technology, and public administration. Professor Sophie Weerts leads this project from the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration. The team also comprises Dr. Alicia Pastor y Camarasa. UNIL's role in the project emphasises the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the integration of assistive technologies in lawmaking, drawing from its strong background in comparative public law and AI regulation. |
Rue de la Mouline 28 - CH-1022 Chavannes-près-Renens
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 692 68 00
Fax +41 21 692 68 09
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 692 68 00
Fax +41 21 692 68 09
