On 10 January 2005, the European Commission launched a public consultation on
how to make the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies available
to the widest possible range of citizens, including to older people and people
with disabilities. This consultation was a first step in the Commission's endeavour
to remove the technical challenges and difficulties that people with disabilities
and others experience when trying to use electronic products or services such
as computers, mobile phones or the Internet.
"Information and communication technologies can be powerful tools for bringing
people together, improving their health and welfare, and making their jobs and
social lives richer and more rewarding", said Information Society and Media
Commissioner Viviane Reding. "But over 90 million EU citizens either cannot
reap these benefits in full, or are effectively cut off from them because of
age or disabilities. Making ICT products and services more accessible is thus
a social, ethical and political imperative. At the same time, it makes sense
economically. About 48 per cent of people over 50 years old in Europe today
say ICTs do not fully meet their needs, but many of them also say that they
would buy new mobile phones, computer and internet services if they could use
them".
The public consultation launched on 10 January 2005 focused on three key areas
in which the European Union could promote eAccessibility : public procurement,
certification, and the use of legislation.
The consultation document argued that EU Member State public authorities should
develop common requirements to facilitate the purchasing of accessible goods
and services. This would in turn create larger markets for "design-for-all"-products.
The consultation document also proposed to assess whether a certification mechanism
should provide a quality label for accessible products and services.
Regarding legislative measures, the document noted that several EU Member States
already had e-accessibility-related laws, and that there were indications that
harmonising the relevant technical requirements across the EU could help to
make these laws a more powerful driver for change, while at the same time promoting
interoperability and preventing market fragmentation.
Finally, the consultation document considered a number of support measures,
such as the development of eSkills, the further deployment of ICT Research for
promoting eAccessibility, as well as monitoring regarding web accessibility
and the development of Digital TV.
Interested parties had until 12 February 2005 to comment on these proposals.
In consultation with its members, EBU had put together a Response
to the EC consultation, emphasizing that the Information Society has huge potential
to improve the quality of the lives of EU blind and partially-sighted citizens
and to create a more inclusive and equal society, but that lack of standardisation,
convergence and harmonisation hinders this potential. In particular, EBU Response
highlighted access areas of vital importance to persons with visual disability,
including :
- Design, Certification and Standards
- Public Procurement
- Employment and Access to Work
- Broadcasting and Digital Television
- Affordability
- Digital Rights Management
Centre for Inclusive Technology
The centre is run by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and aims
to work towards an Information Society that is accessible to all