Expert Meeting on Access to Technology

With the financial support of the European Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination

Vilnius (Lithuania), 30 June - 2 July 2006

 

Within the framework of the European Community Action Program to Combat Discrimination 2005/2006 EBU organized an expert meeting on equal opportunities in access to technology in Vilnius (Lithuania) from the 30th of June to the 2nd of July 2006. The meeting focused on information and communication technology (ICT).

The participating blind and visually impaired experts came from France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain and the United Kingdom. They represent wide ranging experience and knowledge in the field and are members of major European NGOs (EBU and EDF).

The workshop had the following objectives :

To identify the problems blind, deafblind, partially sighted, and blind people with additional disabilities still experience in this area ;

To highlight the positive steps taken by the EU to address these problems

To outline ways and means to achieve a higher degree of equal opportunities concerning the question of access to modern technologies particularly within the framework set out by the European Union ;

To look at the role and responsibilities NGOs representing blind and partially sighted people have in bringing about changes resulting in further progress.

The meeting covered the following agenda items :

1. Roll call and introduction of participants.


2. Organizational matters.


3. How will next generation telecommunications networks and services impact on disabled people ?

Voice over ip (VOIP) = internet telephony is currently reasonably well accessible. The basis for VOIP - broadband internet access - is, however not well established in many European countries. The cost of necessary equipment and of the service itself prevents many disabled people from utilizing this means of communication even if broadband access exists.

With the move towards video telephony with visual panels and touch screens on computer-based or hand-held devices this area is fast becoming a visual space ; awareness raising in industry and standard setting bodies therefore must receive high priority.

4. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and navigation devices

With the advent of a European system to compete with the American GPS, it is high time to introduce the benefits that such a system could provide to the disabled community to the movers and shakers in this field. The European Union represents a major stake holder in this area. There are a number of national projects, but an overall approach to try and develop a pan-European system to enhance mobility of blind and partially sighted persons in the environment is not forthcoming. Such an approach was considered a political responsibility to bring about a shift out of the research domain into the political arena. The current situation that results in a number of different systems and devices already in existence in some countries is not only impractical but also economically irresponsible.

5. Information kiosks, ticket machines and banking services

The constantly growing importance of these devices and services requires a standardized approach. After discussing several possibilities, the meeting proposed an examination of utilizing a system consisting of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to contact and activate the respective terminals which would then provide information over Blue Tooth or internet connections to the mobile networks. Accessible mobile phones or other mobile devices such as PDAs are readily available and can thus serve as a means of output to gain access. Publicly available machines already possess communication channels with their respective data bases. Stake holders in industry, standard setting organizations and politics must be approached and blind and visually impaired users must be included in implementation and testing of such a system before guidelines are put into practice.

6. New Developments in Web Access

Web accessibility in general is reasonably well developed and there are even intentions to develop standards for accessibility certification. A new trend on the web, AJAX, is, however creating possible barriers. No mention of this is found in the web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) version 2. W3C and its Web Accessibility Initiative will be contacted. Awareness raising in this early stage is absolutely necessary.

7. Digital Television

Participants reported on various approaches in several countries to provide access to digital television and the electronic program guides (EPGs). Most of these, however are either still in a rudimentary form or generally unsatisfactory. The British system seems to be the most advanced and could serve as a quasi standard for the rest of Europe. It was emphasized that TV access through the use of a PC could not be tolerated since a majority of blind and partially sighted people are elderly and have difficulties using a computer or don't even own one. Access to information and entertainment is a basic right and its denial is a blatant form of discrimination.

 
8. Digital Libraries

Google, Microsoft and a few other major players in the area are in the process of digitizing the contents of libraries and other repositories of printed information. Though this initiative may be eventually beneficial to blind and partially sighted people, it must be ensured that both the format of the material and the method of delivery will be accessible. The importance of these facts must be transmitted to the EU and consultation through EBU and EDF must be offered. Participation of interested experts in conferences concerning digital libraries must be encouraged. A further harmonization of national copyright laws according to European standards is required. National organizations of the blind and visually impaired cannot do achieve this alone, similar to other European legal requirements the EU should implement measures to make member countries comply more stringently to European copyright regulations. A liberalized exchange of materials in accessible formats across borders is a prerequisite in an age of globalization.

9. E-Learning and E-Inclusion

Schools, universities and institutions of continuing education offer an ever increasing percentage of their content in electronic or blended formats. On the one hand this tendency provides increased opportunities for individualized acquisition of knowledge, on the other hand e-learning platforms often do not take into account the particular accessibility modalities of blind and partially sighted people. Since this group of the population is already significantly under-represented in the labor market, the key function of accessible e-learning cannot be emphasized enough. Europe-wide legislation must guarantee equal participation to prevent a further deterioration in access to meaningful employment.

From local to national levels, governments are introducing electronic performances of civic duties. Activities such as reading garbage collection schedules, applying for id cards, filing tax reports and even electronic voting are fast becoming a reality. In order not to become second-class citizens blind and partially sighted people must be guaranteed access to these facilities. Examples of good practice solutions in these areas should be collected to demonstrate ways in which equal participation can be implemented. Disabled experts must be included in the planning and evaluation stages of such activities.

10. Conclusions

Looking at the topics discussed above, to ensure a greater amount of equality for blind and visually impaired people three instruments already in place were identified as a basis for improvement : public procurement measures, EU legislation already in existence and statements such as the Riga Declaration of Ministers. A key element in achieving greater access not only to technology is the active participation of disabled people in planning, evaluating and standard setting processes. To make this possible, however continuation of EU funding to such NGOs as EBU and EDF is paramount. When looking at services and devices to be introduced, the focus should always be on a design for all aproach rather than expensively retrofitting assistive technologies as an afterthought.

The assembled experts identified 4 areas to be dealt with most urgently :

1. Access to e-learning and e-inclusion since this will strongly influence the social standing in the future.

2. Since access to ICT services and devices is best realized through speech, national and European assistance in developing speech synthesis for minority and migrant languages is most pressing.

3. Access to the environment, unimpeded mobility is the basis for participating in any kind of social activity.

4. Successful use of devices and services by blind and visually impaired people is dependent on training. The availability of training and experienced trainers is thus the foundation of active participation.

11. Close of Meeting

Members thanked the Lithuanian Association of the Blind for making all the necessary arrangements to carry out a successful meeting in a pleasant and stimulating atmosphere and the European Commission for providing finances to undertake this endeavor.

Berlin, August 2006

Peter Brass
Chair of the EBU Access Commission