Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES)

The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) is the leading international organization dedicated to the promotion of accessibility of the built and virtual environments.

GAATES is working to improve access for the estimated one billion people with disabilities around the world. People are marginalized by the lack of accessibility to the built environment, transportation and related facilities, as well as lack of access to information and communications.

Registered as a non-profit NGO in Canada, GAATESwas incorporated in 2007 by an international consortium dedicated to promoting accessibility worldwide, and has an international presence in 6 regions: the Asia-Pacific, Arab, North America, South America, European and African Regions.

GAATES has completed numerous projects for a variety of UN Agencies, Governments and organizations in the private sector. These projects have been in the sectors of Education, ICT, Disaster Risk Reduction & Emergency Preparedness, Codes, Standards and Policy Development, and Accessible Buildings Guidelines Design. Additional major projects have addressed architectural and urban construction and renovations.

GAATES has cooperative agreements with other leading International and National disability organizations, as well as with other leading Universal Design and accessibility related networks, professional associations and organizations.

GAATES obtained consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in 2008. Since that time, GAATES has actively been involved with a number of UN departments and agencies, delivering a number of presentations and undertaking important research projects.