A/HRC/34/69 faced by older persons, include them in consultations and ensure equal application of their rights under the Convention throughout their lives. The Committee should consider adopting a general comment on the rights of older persons with disabilities. 24. Hamad Bin Khalifa University Assistant Professor Dena Ahmed Saif Al-Thani pointed to the need for accessible computer interfaces. Concepts such as “inclusive design” and “universal usability” emphasized the role of potential users in developing computer systems and encouraged a growing trend towards inclusion of users with disabilities in usability studies and in assessing conformity with disability-related regulations. Inclusive research had addressed a gap in assistive technology by supporting the collaboration of persons with visual impairments with their colleagues. The results of the research were recommendations on software design that would support collaborative and cross-modal information-seeking from the ground up. A user-centric design approach was crucial when developing complex interfaces with multiple modalities. 25. During the interactive dialogue, representatives of Brazil, Pakistan, Association of World Citizens, Dementia Alliance International, Epidemic of Knowledge Campaign, European Network on Independent Living, Inclusion International, Indonesian Mental Health Association, International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Pacific Disability Forum and World Blind Union took the floor. Speakers welcomed the Marrakesh Treaty and highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention articles relevant to the autistic community. Other topics included accessibility standards during humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters; the need for a global treaty on the rights of older persons; sociological and medical studies on dementia; people with disabilities in the labour market; a social model inclusive of psychosocial disabilities; and universal accessibility in societies, including to transportation. 26. Ms. Gurung highlighted the different forms of accessibility with regard to the types of impairments. It was important for rights holders to bring the complex and sensitive nature of disability into the discussion. Mr. Marzo Peña underscored the need to increase the participation of and accessibility for people with disabilities, addressing issues such as education and employment. Ms. Perel-Levin acknowledged that the Committee had noted the existence of discrimination on the basis of disability and age, both separately and combined; a convention on the protection of the rights of older persons would address that issue. Ms. Al-Thani stressed the importance of developing knowledge in the academic sector and the website development industry as well as promoting collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that regulations were enforced. D. Strengthening equality and specific measures 27. The Chief Director of Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Department of Social Development of South Africa, Lidia Pretorius, noted that the Constitution of South Africa guaranteed equality and described measures to achieve it. The first level of measures aimed at ensuring that persons with disabilities had equitable access to services, fiscal spending and opportunities. The second sought to ensure access to appropriate accommodation. The third focused on affirmative action for redress and to level the playing fields. The fourth level aimed at reimbursing persons with disabilities and their families for disability-related expenditures. The national disability rights policy focused on strengthening governance and administrative systems with measures to promote equitable outcomes, including prioritizing underrepresented organizations of persons with disabilities and groups for State funding, and the development of a disability inequality index. 28. The Chair of the Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families, Ana Lucía Arellano, said that Latin America had achieved widespread progress in several areas. There were programmes for inclusion in 8