On the occasion of the 26th Cambodian and 42nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to digital inclusion for persons with disabilities, highlighting the importance of leveraging technology to ensure equal access to opportunities in the digital age. 

In a special message released a day ahead of the December 3 celebrations, the prime minister emphasised the government's ongoing efforts to integrate persons with disabilities into Cambodia’s digital economy, a vision laid out in the National Disability Strategy Plan for 2024-2028.

The theme of this year’s observance, “Promoting disability inclusion across sectors in the digital age”, underscores Cambodia’s ambition to enable full participation of people with disabilities in the nation’s digital transformation.

“Cambodia has been actively promoting and accelerating the integration of people with disabilities into digital technology systems across all sectors – including tourism, economy, trade, social affairs, politics, culture, arts and sports – leveraging the current global digital transformation to bring significant benefits to Cambodian society,” explained the prime minister.

“Many civil servants with disabilities have been recognised for their merits and encouraged through appointments to positions such as ministers, secretaries of state, deputy secretaries of state and other leadership roles within the Royal Government, ministries, institutions and territorial authorities, all with honour and dignity,” he added.

Manet delivered a clear message about the growing importance of digital technology in empowering individuals with disabilities. 

Since the launch of the National Disability Strategy Plan for 2024-2028 in April, which focuses on improving access to employment, education and public services, digital inclusion has become a priority in both government initiatives and the private sector.

The prime minister noted that in response to the 4th Industrial Revolution, the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035 was formulated with three main pillars: digital citizens, digital government and digital business. 

18,015 individuals, including 8,174 women, have received physical support devices, and community-based rehabilitation services have reached 8,505 people with disabilities. Post staff

The initiatives are underway to provide training and resources, ensuring that persons with disabilities can engage with technology as “digital citizens” who can thrive in the modern, tech-driven economy.

"All ministries and institutions must prioritize building the capacity of civil servants, including those with disabilities, to effectively use digital technologies in this new era, enhancing both their professional performance and daily activities," said Manet. 

The National Disability Strategy Plan – which outlines a five-year vision for improving the lives of people with disabilities – has already made strides in promoting digital literacy, facilitating access to digital tools and ensuring that digital platforms are accessible, he added.

As of October, 39 government institutions employed 3,816 individuals with disabilities, including 882 women, and 2,351 individuals with severe disabilities, representing 2.04% of the workforce.

Physical rehabilitation services have been provided to 27,774 individuals with disabilities, including 6,805 women, delivering 36,074 medical rehabilitation sessions. 

Additionally, 18,015 individuals, including 8,174 women, have received physical support devices, and community-based rehabilitation services have reached 8,505 people with disabilities.

“The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation continues to implement a programme which identifies people with disabilities based on a social model and fundamental rights,” the prime minister continued.

“Through focal points in communes/sangkats nationwide, 351,276 individuals with disabilities have been identified, including 166,034 women. To date, 250,730 disability identification cards have been issued,” he explained.

The private sector, which has increasingly embraced disability inclusion, is also making significant strides. 

Manet pointed to various businesses, including banks, microfinance institutions, hotels and factories, which are not only employing people with disabilities but are also using digital tools to integrate them into the workforce. 

Over 9,500 persons with disabilities are currently employed, with 3,578 of them being women, marking a promising trend toward greater inclusivity in Cambodia's growing digital economy.

The prime minister explained that technology is playing a critical role in making our workplaces more inclusive, adding that the current initiatives are not just about providing employment, but also about creating environments where persons with disabilities can succeed and contribute to the digital workforce.

He encouraged more businesses to continue developing accessible digital solutions, from websites and apps to remote working tools, to ensure that persons with disabilities can fully participate in today’s economy.

One of the key areas where the government is focusing its efforts is on digital accessibility. Manet addressed the need for accessible digital platforms, which are crucial for ensuring that persons with disabilities can access government services, educational resources and public information. 

He underscored the role of ministries and institutions in incorporating inclusive digital design in all public service platforms and administrative systems.

“Ministries and institutions with established disability action working groups must enhance their operational efficiency by developing annual action plans and regularly updating their team composition to adapt to evolving circumstances within each ministry and institution,” he said.

“Meanwhile, those that have not yet formed such working groups are urged to establish them promptly and tailor their structure to align with their specific work contexts,” he instructed.

He also stressed the importance of accessible public infrastructure, noting that it should go hand in hand with digital transformation efforts. 

This includes modifying public buildings and transportation systems to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring they can access digital services on an equal footing with others.