Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto: accessibility A/RES/74/144 Taking note with appreciation that the 2018 Disability and Development Report 11 presents an overview of the status of accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the persistent gaps in this regard, and identifies good practices and recommended actions in accessibility for the effective implementation of the Convention and the disability-inclusive achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Recalling that persons with disabilities include those who have long -term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others, including in relation to their access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, in both urban and rural areas, Expressing concern that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, which li mit their enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others, and recognizing that the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is crucial to making progress across all the Sustainable Deve lopment Goals and targets, Recognizing the importance of accessibility for persons with disabilities to the physical, social, economic and cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communications, and the need to identify and el iminate prejudice, discrimination, obstacles and barriers that limit the access of persons with disabilities to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or available to the public, in both urban and rural areas, on an equal basis with others, Emphasizing that accessibility is a precondition for persons with disabilities to live independently, participate fully and equally in all aspects of life and fully enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others, and recognizing the importance of accessibility measures, including through the use of universal design and assistive technologies, as a means of investing in society as a whole and as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, Recognizing the need to take into account the specific challenges linked to accessibility for older persons with disabilities, especially those faced by older women with disabilities, Recognizing also the need to promote and protect the human rights of all persons with disabilities, including those who require more intensive support to attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational abilities and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life, Recognizing further the benefits of universal design as a means of designing environments, including technologies, products, programmes and services, that are inclusive and accessible to all, recognizing that universal design should not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities, and recognizing also that the application of universal design from the initial stages of any development could help make the building of accessible physical environments, as well as information and communications technologies and systems, much less costly than retrofitting adaptations to remove barriers to accessibility, Recognizing that accessibility measures, such as standards, laws and policies, should include reasonable accommodations which are necessary and appropriate __________________ 11 19-22245 United Nations publication, Sales No. 19.IV.4. 3/9