QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS
EBU Questionnaire Survey on the situation of blind and partially sighted
people
across the 27 EU Member States
September 2007
1/ Benefits
1.1. Does your country have any form of benefits system/ allowance for
blind or partially sighted people?
1.2. If yes, is this allowance sufficient or does it need to be
increased ?
Romania :
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It is survive and not live.
In Romania, it's a real financial support in rural area (180€).
Back
Sweden
Comment: Needs to include also they who become vis impaired as
pensioners. Back
France
Sufficient for blind
Needs to be increased for partially sighted
Back
Estonia
Yes, but the benefit system has been improved a lot after EU
accession
Back
2/ Transport / Mobility
2.1. Does your country provide blind and partially sighted people with any form of assistance for access to public transportation?
Romania :
It starts : free transport and some adaptations.
Back
France
Yes for blind
No for Partially sighted.
Back
2.2. If yes, in what form?
Romania
A special card for transportation and the right to travel free with guide.
Stops are announced vocally in the subway train and in many buses, but not all
so far.
Back
France
In railways, the guide is free for blind, the ticket price is reduced in
airplanes. The guide dog is always transported free of charges.
Back
Czech Republic
Discounts, accessible timetable information, orientation devices a stations
and stops, sound identification of trams and buses, including info on their
destinations, etc.
Back
Slovenia
We have 6 benefit tickets for local transport – bus or train
Back
2.2.1. Facilities allowing a better accessibility of public transport for blind and partially sighted people:
Netherland:
- assistance when transferring from and to railway station and other forms of public transport
Denmark :
France
2.2.2. Financial aid:
2.2.3. If yes, is this assistance available :
Germany :
Cyprus :
Netherland :
Slovakia :
Bus between cities: reduced price for blind, reduced or free for guide
Citi transport: reduced or free for blind and guide depending on city
Air transport: no
Bulgaria:
Romania :
Big companies did accept : conventions between the government and the companies.
Local transports are free with a guide : bus, metro, tramway, …
Ireland
Estonia
Greece
Slovenia
2.3. Are there any measures facilitating the mobility of blind of
partially sighted people?
2.3.1 If yes, are they:
Netherland :
Slovakia :
Bulgaria :
Romania :
Tactile system on the floor : It begins, envisaged in law, it begins with ramps for physical disabilities.
They changed sidewalks for the access of fauteuils, slopes prevent visual deficient from realizing sidewalks / road.
Sound adaptations.
Sound announcements in transport: In the metro since the beginning. In the centre of the country, seaside station with some blind masseurs, with elevators in Braille. Many bus with sound stopping, in the new vehicles, low step, …
Things without usefulness: botanical gardens with area with plants with inscriptions in Braille. One experience of a card of restaurant in Braille, and a card of the zones of quarters.
Announcements in crossroads: Exist in front of the school of blind persons.
Estonia
Portugal
2.4. Concerning accessibility / transport in general, what suggestions
for improvement do you have?
UK :
RNIB’s recent report, ‘Travellers’ tales’, makes over 50 recommendations on
accessibility and transport in general and identifies the Government, local
councils, bus and train operators, the police and the general public as all
having a role to play in improving accessibility and safety for travellers
with sight problems.
Recommendations include:
• audible announcements on trains and buses
• proper funding for mobility training
• controlled accessible crossings, with audible, visual and tactile signals
• better street lighting
• proper enforcement of legislation to stop parking offences
• cycle lanes to keep cyclists off the pavement
• disability awareness training for all transport staff
• tactile edges to platforms
• accessible travel and platform information
• staff assistance, especially when it has already been booked.
Back
Germany :
DBSV is campaigning for audio traffic lights to be retained, especially at
complex crossroads and roundabouts. In many cities and communities they are
being replaced by zebra crossings. For orientation aids a unified standard
should be created. A minimum height of the curb should be retained. Where
shared spaces are set up, the needs of blind and partially sighted people
should be taken into account more properly. There should be accessible travel
information, better lighting in public places and awareness training of
personal.
Back
Malta :
1) Buses must stop at every Bus Stop
2) Bus Drives need to call out the Identity of the Stop
3) Bus Driver calls out Bus no. at Stop for waiting passengers.
Back
Netherland :
Better provision and better quality of tactile paving, auditory signalling of
crosswalks, better accessible ticket machines for tickets for the public
transport, better accessible websites for travel information. Auditory means
of communication more generally available. Better accessible bus stations.
Back
Slovakia :
Standardization of public information systems, in particular protocols for
their remote controls,
standardization of sound traffic signals at crossings,
standardization of tactile pavements
Standardization of allowances or price reductions for blind, in particular for
guides and guide dogs
(Standardization = standardization at least in EU)
voice announcements inside and outside of wehicles of public transport
availability of staff assistance when changing means of transport
disability awareness training of transport staff
tactile edges of pavements (foot path), isles on crossing of roads, and
platforms
better funding and availability of mobility training
Accessible transport information.
Back
Bulgaria :
Tactile passages and verbal announcements would be very useful and are deeply
desired.
Back
Romania :
Everything is rapidly developing, but everything develops slowly.
Paradox: an organization in Romania raised dogs for Australia and UK. Guide
dogs school training / tactile paving / supply of auditory means of
communication
Back
Denmark :
Improved auditory information in busses, at busstops and at trainstation
platforms.
Faster implementation of tactile guidelines at platforms.
Improved means of individual transport for leisure, job and educational
purposes
Increased level of mandatory accessibility requirements in national building
legislation.
Improving precision of GPS technology for blind pedestrians.
Back
Ireland
More announcements on trains and buses
Back
Sweden :
Better personal assistance in travel centres
Back
Lithuania :
The greatest wish of blind people is remove barriers from the pedestrian area.
Tactile signs showing the crosswalks start.
Back
Estonia :
Tactile pavements, proper edges for pavements, auditory and tactile signals,
mapping of the accessible routs.
Back
Poland :
We need a system regulation, especially a law system which will regulate and
improve the mobility of blind people (e.g. free assistants available at train
stations and in big shops and some other public places including office
buildings).
Back
France :
More announcements in busses and trains, an universal code for tactile
guidelines.
Back
Italy
Improve the quality of existing services. Avoid that liberalisation/privatisation
of services jeopardize services for disabled people.
Back
Spain
It would be necessary to develop a design for all concept: Call on the EU to
address this discrimination by requiring all manufactured goods and services
that are sold in EU countries to conform to 'Design for All' criteria and for
manufacturers to be required to produce and distribute product information in
a range of formats.
Back
Portugal
Countrywide adoption of good practice by all transport operators.
Back
Iceland
Better individual transport service by means of reduced rate of taxies.
Public transport timetables need to be made auditory.
Auditory information in busses.
Public building need mandatory rules of accessibility.
Back
Czech Republic
Reasonable accessibility requirements should be part of both EU and national
relevant regulations (which is, at least partially, the case of my country).
Back
Greece
Expanding and improving auditory information in all bus lanes, bus stops,
and at train station platforms. Also expanding sound signals in the traffic
lights.
Back
Belgium
Structural implementation of auditory means of communication, inside the
vehicles, at the stops
More accessible information websites
More positive attitude of the staff.
Back
Luxembourg
Better accessibility to transport and this combined with technical aids.
Back
Slovenia
We need Tactile paving in urban areas
Back
3/ Employment
3.1. Are private companies under any obligation to recruit a certain number of disabled people?
Romania
4 % for most than 50 workers but directors prefer paying. 25 workers
in the public. From positive cases in little firms.
Back
3.2. Are some jobs reserved in priority for:
3.2.2. Blind or partially sighted people?
Spain
3.3. Are there any targeted wage subsidies or bonus for employers who
recruit blind and partially sighted people?
UK :
Access to Work (AtW) is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. The scheme
provides advice and practical support to disabled people and their employers
to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from a disability.
As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and
employers, rant through Jobcentre Plus towards any extra
employment costs that result from a disability. However, this scheme only
applies to disabled people who already are in employment, not those searching
for employment.
Back
Germany :
There are subsidies for adapting the workplace and employing a
personal assistant as well.]
Cyprus :
Financial support for technical aids.
Back
Slovakia :
Legislation about targeted wage subsidies is in preparation process,
it should be in force from January 2008.
There is reduction of the part of health insurance of employee paid by
employer.
The part of disability insurance of employee paid by employer is not paid in
the case of disabled employee.
Back
Bulgaria :
lower taxes.
Back
Denmark :
There are possibilities to receive such subsidies as employer, but
there
are visually impaired employees who are employed in ordinary job
positions without any such subsidies to their employers.
Back
Ireland
There is a 3% quota scheme operating in the public sector at the
level of recruitment for new employees in order to ensure new recruits from
the disability group which includes blind and low vision people. Telephony
jobs still have some priority for blind and low vision people in the public
service but entrants at this level have the right to advance to clerical and
executive posts.
Back
Estonia
The social insurance tax is reduced for the disabled employees.
There is a special scheme for the disabled people entering to the open labour
market: their salary for the first 6 month period is paid by special funding,
and some additional amount of money is paid to their support persons (also for
6 month). These schemes are introduced recently, they are arranged by
governmental labour offices. Some of them are temporary and project based.
Disabled persons can apply for equipping their workplace with special aids.
The disabled persons already employed are not entitled to that scheme.
Back
Austria
There are a tax breaks for companies that employ disabled people.
Back
France
Possibility to obtain help from a special found to compensate the
lack of productivity.
Back
Italy
Reasonable accommodation measures, tax exemption, only recently –
rarely – financial incentives.
Back
Spain
For people with disabilities in general (not just for blind or
partially sighted people), a subsidy amounting to 3,908.58 euros shall be made
available. In addition, there will be a reduction in the employee's social
security payments (including work-related accidents and illnesses and joint
collection) for the entire duration of the contract. This reduction shall be
70% if the employee is under 45 years old and 90% if the employee is more than
45. Companies may also apply for subsidies to make adjustments to the
workplace and to supply personal safety equipment.
Back
Portugal
Reduced Taxes.
Back
Belgium
Financial support for material
Back
Slovenia
There is a quota system.
Back
3.4. Does your country have sheltered workshops or any other kind of
structure employing only blind and partially sighted people?
Romania :
Law
exists but no structures. System existed until 1990 with communism
(cooperatives of factory: pasteboard boxes, paintbrushes).
After 1990, the actual government had no care of these cooperatives, let them
go bankrupt.
Craft union was always aimed by the democratic social party.
Meeting in 1991 with ancient president and this person who aims the
cooperatives and it produced the failure of these cooperatives.
29 cooperatives in Romania, all disappeared or practically.
Battle led to recover these cooperatives, but they have no money.
Back
3.5. Are there any other incentives in your country to facilitate blind
and partially sighted people’s employment?
UK :
Under the UK Disability Discrimination Act (2004), an employer is
liable for the discriminatory actions of his or her staff, unless s/he can
prove that s/he has taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent staff from
discriminating (such as providing disability awareness training).
Where the employer’s practice may put the disabled person at a substantial
disadvantage compared with people who are not disabled, the employer has to
take reasonable steps to prevent the provision criterion or practice, or
feature from having that effect.
In addition, since December 2006, all public sector organisations are under
the legal duty to actively promote equality of opportunity for disabled people
(Disability Equality Duty).
Back
Cyprus :
Supported
employment, financing of aids and appliances, Guide/assistant for the blind
Academics working at the government, financing of self employment (5000
Euros), etc.
Back
Slovakia :
Financial support to create and run the sheltered workshop and the
sheltered working places.
Back
Bulgaria :
Development of the centres of re-education and professional
training.
Back
Denmark
Wage subsidies for newly trained / educated; Personal assistance
8secretary) and technical devices / equipment paid by the state.
Back
Sweden
1
Free technical aids, 2 subsidy to employer for personal assistant (50
000Skr/year) 3 Special support system within Labour market board.
Back
Austria
The
Bureau of Labour has a special unit that deals with the integration of
disabled people. There is also a federal bureau – Bundessozialamt – dealing
primarily with the integration of disabled people into the labour market.
Back
Spain
For
all disabilities, the principle of employees having the right to select their
employers is limited by the obligation to observe measures that set aside
reserved jobs for people with disabilities.
Legislation for the public administration states that at least 5% of their
workforce should be workers with disabilities. In case of private companies
this is at least 2%.
Back
Portugal
Quota system for civil services recruitment.
Back
3.6. What is the situation with regard to the employment of blind and
partially sighted women:
Slovakia :
As
I know, there is no evidence of discriminatory factors directly related to
blindness of women. There is discrimination of women in general which is
combined with discrimination of blind people in general.
Back
Bulgaria :
50% men and 50% women, no discrimination in recruitment or wages.
Back
Denmark :
There is no statistics that highlight these issues. According to
our knowledge, no discrimination takes place between males and females
in the labour market, although, in general, women still lag behind with
regards to general wage level.
The general degree of employment amongst blind persons is quite low.
Back
Estonia
According
to the statistics of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs disabled persons
are under-employed; don’t know statistical data with regard to the blind and
partially sighted women. Employment rate for disabled people is 4 times less
than general.
Back
3.7. Concerning employment in general, what kind of suggestion for
improvement do you have?
UK :
The
unemployment rate of blind and partially sighted people in the UK is still at
69%. We want to see:
• increased supported employment opportunities
• better measures to improve job retention
• new ways of getting people with sight problems into jobs, such as training
schemes.
In particular, we are working to:
• urge employers to take account of the needs of blind and partially sighted
people in the recruitment process by ensuring that advertisements, application
forms and interviews are accessible
• call on government to take action to support employers and people with sight
problems more effectively.
• show employers and service providers that they must recognise and harness
the abilities of blind and partially sighted people, making use of the
practical and financial support available to them.
Back
Germany :
Under
the labour law the disability units within the labour offices have been
abolished and been replaced by job centres with personal who is not very
competent nor much aware of the needs of blind and partially sighted job
seekers. Much expertise has been lost through the labour market reforms. The
general attitude of the staff at the job centers is that a disabled person is
not employable. Staff should be trained better and become more aware of the
needs and skills of blind and partially sighted job seekers.
The “equalisation levy”, i.e. money which an employer needs to pay into the
equalisation fund for every workplace he would need to fill to meet the quota
should be increased. The fund is used to make adaptation of the workplace and
other measures to facilitate the employment of disabled people.
Back
Malta :
Malta
needs to introduce all the necessary measures to facilitate the employment and
mobility of blind and partially sighted persons according to EU Standards.
Back
Slovakia :
enhanced
supported employment opportunities
improvement of job retaining and job development supporting measures including
training and availability of state-of-art access technology
new vocational training and retraining schemes available to visually impaired
people
increasing awareness of employers about employment possibilities and needs of
people with visual impairment.
Back
Bulgaria :
The
government pay for a part of the wages.
To have specific jobs for handicapped people.
Back
Denmark
Better
guidance in the transition from school to working life.
Easy access to working materials and other special devices.
Accessible IT solutions.
Solutions to the transport problem.
Back
Ireland
Some
people, indeed many, are not capable of full time working so part-time working
arrangements supported by the state should be more formalised.
Back
Lithuania
The
new law on employment does not stimulate employment of persons having severe
disability. There is a need to make greater distinction between the positive
measures for persons having moderate and severe disability.
Back
Estonia
Support
for finding a suitable work for the blind and visually impaired, training,
support at the working place. According to the survey from 2006, the
motivation to find a work is quite low – it’s necessary to highlight good
practice, motivate disabled people.
Back
Romania
Improvement
and diversification of the vocational educational system, reasonable
accommodation of the working place, discrimination elements elimination,
better awareness of the employers about the training level skills and
abilities of the blind.
Back
Poland
A
better system of education , development of education for all, connected to
needs of labour market.
Back
Austria
Companies
should not be given a choice whether to employ disabled people and get a tax
break or not employ them and not get a tax break. They should be compelled to
employ them. Failure to do so should be sanctioned by severe penalties unless
very good exceptional grounds exist.
Back
Italy
Ensure
employment stability for blind and partially sighted people. Increased number
of jobs available. Broaden and enhance the provision of incentives for
employers.
Back
Spain
The
need to implement the concept of social cost-effectiveness in companies and,
as a last resort, the concept of social economy and strengthening initiatives
linked with corporate social responsibility in the business world. All this
with the aim that companies and society recognise the added value of work
carried out by blind and partially sighted people
To identify employment opportunities for blind and partially sighted people,
shaping our policies to take into account changes in the general sociological
framework and avoiding “pigeonholing” in types of jobs that have been
historically fruitful but which are now nearly obsolete
Setting-up alternative measures to quotas in the private sector: In these
rules there should be some alternative measures to quotas that can be
implemented by companies that, due to their activity or their special
characteristics, may find it difficult to meet the quotas mentioned above;
these rules should indirectly encourage employment for people with
disabilities.
In this sense, the ONCE through its Foundation ONCE, is launching awareness
campaigns to encourage the incorporation of people with disabilities into the
business world.
Back
Iceland
Educational
level of blind and partially sighted people needs to be increased, and there
has to be a support system for individuals going from school to work.
Back
Czech Republic
On
the part of blind people = more incentives to work; on the part of employers =
more open approach; on the part of the government = more stress on regulation
employment of severely disabled people, including the blind.
Back
Greece
There is a need for new employment areas especially in small and medium
enterprises.
Based on that new technology adaptive equipment must be funded by the state.
Setting-up alternative measures both for employers and encourage blind and
partially sighted people to have employment opportunities in the open
market.
Back
Belgium
In Belgium a minimum quotum should be mandatory, in public services as in
private employment.
Back
Slovenia
More educational programmes for blind and partially sighted people.
Back
4/ Education
4.1. Does your country have specialized schools for blind of partially sighted children?
Sweden :
There is one school for visually impaired with additional disability.
Back
4.2. Is it possible for blind of partially sighted children to attend mainstream schools?
Romania :
But without any support from the authorities.
Just support of the family.
Law in 2006 gave possibility to have support from the Government, but anything
indeed today.
Therefore in practice incorporation depends on the family.
Back
4.2.1. If yes, are there any support services for blind and partially sighted children?
UK :
Most visually impaired children in mainstream schools are supported by classroom assistants, usually on a one-to-one basis; there are more than 12,000 TAs in the UK working with visually impaired children.
Another way to help visually impaired children feel part of the class is to ensure they can follow the lesson. An RNIB survey in 2000 found one in four visually impaired children in mainstream schools was often given material in a format they couldn’t read, while around a third said they had received test papers in an inaccessible format.
There is crucial lack of textbooks available in large print, braille or electronic format. At Key Stage 4 (aged 14-16 GCSE level):
• Only one of the 21 science titles prescribed by exam boards are available in braille - none are in large print
• Only one large print English language or literature study support text was available in large print - none were in Braille.
Slovakia :
Denmark
and recorded on Daisy.
Spain
Portugal
Iceland
4.3. Can blind or partially sighted students at university benefit from
some form of financial aid to purchase an adapted computer?
Bulgaria :
No, they buy it by themselves or have a sponsor.
Back
Spain
The ONCE provides all technological material blind or partially sighted
students may need to study, such as adaptation of computers, libraries,
classrooms, etc.
Back
4.4. With regard to education in general, what kind of suggestions for
improvement do you have?
UK :
RNIB is calling for the Government to resource a central system of converting
and securely storing textbook publisher's electronic files and making them
available to teachers.
Back
Germany :
There are shortcomings regarding mainstream schools in terms of providing
material, school books and examination papers in accessible formats and on
time at the beginning of the school year. Teachers in mainstream schools often
do not know braille. Classroom assistants sometimes are not aware of the
special education needs of blind pupils. Training of classroom assistants
should be improved. Regarding the right to choose the type of educational
setting, there are strong regional differences. In some regions the right does
not exist in practice and school may resist a disabled pupil if the staff
thinks they do not have the resources to educate the pupil.
Back
Malta :
Suitable IT hardware and software for blind and partially sighted students.
Back
Netherland :
Better and quicker accessibility of educational material in alternative
format. Students have problems with getting their material in time. Mainstream
education makes a lot of use of multimedia material which is difficult to use
when you have a visual impairment and making these accessible takes more time.
Back
Slovakia :
centralized service providing adapted text books for all level and forms of
education
availability of teaching and study documents from publishers in electronic
text formats
establishment of mainstream support by itinerant teachers and/or teaching
assistants.
Back
Bulgaria :
Free technical support
Back
Denmark :
Better guidance between different levels of education.
A life long learning strategy including people with disabilities.
Accessible digital exams.
Back
Sweden
Better support system in schools. Now there is large differences between
schools depending on which school you go to.
Back
Estonia
It is important to develop both special schools for the blind and also improve
the support system for those visually impaired students studying at mainstream
schools.
Back
Romania
Technical devices provision, smaller specialised schools, parallel existence
of the specialised and the mainstreaming schools and the possibility of the
students to move between them. Education of the blind initiated in the
specials schools in order to have specific skills, serious assessment before
the mainstreaming, mainstreaming after the primary or compulsory school, and
training of the mainstream teachers working with blind.
Back
Poland
Obligatory training for teachers in mainstream education, who have blind
pupils, wider scope of assistance and better financial support for pupils and
teachers.
Back
Austria
Computers and other adaptive technologies are general funded for students, but
students do not have a legal right to this. It should be a legal right.
Back
France
A better link between ordinary education and special one. A better training of
teachers.
Back
Italy
Enhance the professional level of support teachers. Ensure the full
availability of didactic and support devices at all levels. Promote the
recognition of the specific status and needs of blind and partially sighted
learners.
Back
Spain
It is necessary to guarantee that all new methodologies carried out through
computer work in the classroom, are used in agreement with universal design,
and therefore are accessible for blind and partially sighted people. Even
more, when the ONCE provides the technical adaptation tools for free and the
Public Administration of social services finance the computer.
At the moment, the problem is that the software being used to support the
pedagogical contents in the classroom is LINUX and it is not accessible.
Back
Portugal
Financial aids on university students to purchase an adapted computer;
Provision of digital school books by editors;
Specially trained teachers adequately skilled on Braille, ICTs and O&M
Provision on time of Braille and large print books, adapted electronic devices
Mainstream Education for visually impaired since kinder garden till university
Mainstream Education in Reference Centers where concentrates all the updated
know-how of human and technical resources.
Back
Iceland
Need of more professionals in the field of teaching blind and partially
sighted children. Better support services with regard to books in Braille and
adapted electronic devices. Social integration of blind and partially sighted
children at schools also needs attention.
Back
Czech republic
Stop parental brainwashing about panacean benefits of mainstreaming
at primary & secondary education level. As a result of mainstreaming at all
costs, parents learn the hard way that their blind children are, as a rule,
non-competitive at an open labour market.
Back
Greece
There is luck of governmental funding for pupils and students with visually
impairments. Although the legislation for this is partially available there
is no solid policy and excepted procedures in order for child to purchase
all the needed adapted equipment funded.
New educational methods are needed in order to include all the new
technologies adaptive educational tools in the every day educational
procedure.
Back
Slovenia
Better support by specially trained teachers
Back
5. REHABILITATION CENTRES FOR BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE
5.2. Concerning rehabilitation centres, what suggestions for improvement do you have?
UK :
There is a chronic shortage of rehabilitation workers UK wide – around 1100
are needed to meet current demand. Around 30 per cent of people delivering
rehabilitation services do not hold the necessary level of qualifications to
do the job – akin to someone without a driving license teaching a sighted
person how to drive.
Back
Netherland :
Provide more client driven training.
Back
Slovakia :
The rehabilitation centre for visually impaired is state centre providing
services to people in working age.
The slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union provides rehabilitation on field
base through its regional centres. There is needed creation of more supportive
legal conditions, better financing enabling stabilization of staff and its
profesional development, and increase of capacity and decrease delivery time.
Back
Bulgaria :
Training to New jobs.
Back
5.3. Have you noted any progress in these areas?
Ireland
The provisions of the disability act (2005) has helped in this
regard in setting standards and providing a focus for new funding.
Back
Estonia
The rehabilitation centres have started their work quite recently
and they have to obtain a licence from the ministry of social affairs. The
process of standardisation of services has started.
Back
Slovakia :
Progress is mainly in transfer of new knowledge and methods and development
of field based rehabilitation (through our regional centres). Important are
EU financed projects both before and after accession to EU.
Back
5.3.1. If no, did you notice a decline in the quality of the rehabilitation measures for blind and partially sighted people?
Germany :
6/ VOCATIONAL TRAINING
6.1. Does your country have a specialized vocational training centre for
employed or unemployed blind and partially sighted people?
Slovakia :
This is provided by the above mentioned state rehabilitation centre for
visually impaired (only one centre for both purposes).
Back
Bulgaria :
Big one in Plevdiv and some other little local centres (Dobrich, Shumen,
Burgas, Varna, …)
Back
Romania :
2 in physiotherapy and in computer
Back
Spain
Every year the ONCE offers vocational training in its Educational Resource
Centres and it also supports all students in mainstreamed centres. During the
last years, there has been a clear tendency to move from attendance to
specific centre to mainstreamed ones.
Back
Portugal
ACAPO’s vocational training center
Back
Greece
There is a governmental training centre providing training for telephone
centre operators and customer relation management (crm).
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6.2. Can blind or partially sighted employed or unemployed people attend
mainstream vocational training centres?
Germany :
At the vocational training centre for masseurs and physiotherapists in
Mainz, blind students attend the same classes as their sighted peers.
Back
Romania :
Romanian hypocrisy, school of adult education continue to form the blind
persons to produce cardboard boxes and paintbrush, therefore no market : only
occupation.
No market studies in order to study the possibility of job access.
Bucharest has a social centre in the Blind school.
Back
6.3. If yes, are there any support services for the blind and partially
sighted?
UK :
There a wide range of agencies serving blind and partially sighted
people that provide support for vocational training as well as vocational
training.
Visage, for instance is European Social Fund funded initiative which gathers
several agencies across the UK (including the RNIB) and aims to find new
routes into the workplace for blind and partially sighted jobseekers. This
involves research with blind and partially sighted people, working with
employers of people who are blind or partially sighted (or who have other
disabilities) as well as developing the job skills of blind or partially
sighted jobseekers.
http://www.visage-equal.org.uk/default.asp
RNIB itself provides a trainee grade scheme which offers paid work experience
to unemployed blind and partially sighted people. Each placement lasts for 50
weeks or until alternative employment is secured whichever occurs sooner. The
scheme offers opportunities in a range of work areas in different departments
within RNIB.
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Slovakia :
Support is even less sufficient as that for main stream education, in
particular concerning Braille books and specialized teachers. As format for
study materials electronic format is prefered by students still more and more.
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Estonia
The NGO the Estonian Association of the Blind Masseurs runs 1000 h
training courses for the blind. There are also some other special training
courses available, but they all are mainly project-based.
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Spain
The ONCE provides any other service that blind and partially sighted
people may need including accommodation, maintenance, transport grants, etc.
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Portugal
Teachers aren’t skilled to train on adapted ITCs
No provision is made on Braille books, or devices.
Visually impaired must carry their own devices and make their owns docs
accessible.
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Greece
New employment sectors suitable for visually impaired individuals.
Acceptance of visually impaired students in other vocational training
centers.
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Slovenia
Support by specially trained teachers
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6.5. With regard to vocational training in general, what kind of
suggestions for improvement do you have?
UK :
We want to see improved the inclusion of workers or trainees who are
blind or partially sighted in vocational training programmes. In particular,
unless facilities and systems are devised and introduced now, the development
of e-learning in training systems across the EU may lead to the substantial
exclusion of this group.
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Slovakia :
Improvement of condition for participation in mainstream vocational
training and inclusion on free labour market.
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Bulgaria :
More centres
Formations to new jobs
The Government has to support more centers.
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Sweden :
Better possibilities to train in different occupations.
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Lithuania
The old system of specialized vocational training under our
Association’s system has been ruined and new system of vocational training of
blind and partially sighted does not function yet.
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Estonia
To develop the support system. To provide flexible training and
re-training opportunities.
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Romania
Up to date vocational training schools, rehabilitation and vocational
training centres for adults.
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Poland
To make accessible to blind people the mainstream vocational trainings
(materials, methods, places etc. and trainings for vocational counsellors for
blind people).
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France
Develop collaboration between special training centers and ordinary
ones, close cooperation with enterprises, look for new professions.
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Italy
Improve the overall quality of professional training.
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Spain
To promote the sharing of good practice in identifying employment
opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in order to raise
employment levels of blind and partially sighted people. Identifying and
developing vocational training actions linked to the new sources of employment
for blind and partially sighted people would definitely increase those
numbers.
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Portugal
Try to promote the mainstream of visually impaired on regular vocational
training centers and in jobs that can be performed by visually impaired under
ACAPO partnership. ACAPO would play the role as responsible for the provision
on the basic “backstage support”: training on ICTs and Braille.
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Czech Republic
Less traditionalism and exploring new, previously untested occupations.
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Greece
New employment sectors suitable for visually impaired individuals.
Acceptance of visually impaired students in other vocational training
centers.
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Slovenia
Support by specially trained teachers
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7/ ACCESSIBILITY OF ICTs
7.1. Is it possible to obtain support for ICTs for blind people of all
age categories
Denmark
It is possible to obtain ICT as a loan through the municipality where the
applicant lives. Apart from the equipment and assistive software, the
applicant is entitled to receive instruction as to how the ICT is used.
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Slovakia
There exists financial support to purchase equipment. the scheme according
to the Social assistance act (195/1998) is for personal use (including
students). The support depends on decision of competent authority (office of
labour, social affairs and family) and depends on income (obvious! 80 - 95%
of price). The scheme according to the Act of employment services (5/2004)
is for employers to create sheltered workshop or individual sheltered
(supported?) working place (in integrated environment). According to the
approved project of that working place they can get financial support for
establish it from which also ICT technology can be financed.
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Sweden
At school and at work visually impaired people can get devices like screen
readers magnifying software, daisy players, other special equipments for
VIPs.
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Germany
ICT equipment – computers, access technology, screen readers, scanners –
have to be provided for blind students and university students. The
workplace has to be adapted to the individual blind worker. It is important
to see that the financing comes from different sources. For students ICTs
are funded by the national sickness fund, for university students it is
social welfare (i.e. the authority which administers the funds); for workers
it is the Integration Office. The money they administer comes from a special
fund (Equalisation Fund) which is created by a levy private and public
employers have to pay who fail to meet their required quota of disabled
people among their workforce. At home: Again it is Social Welfare Fund. It
is is difficult to get an application through because the need for a
computer has to be justified. In many case they provide a reading device,
but not a PC with screen reading software.
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Belgium
The necessary software for transcription to Braille, big characters and
audible adaptation is refunded, but not the computer itself.
After the age of 65, for the concerned person who was not registered before
for receiving support, there is no refunding anymore,
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Estonia
At school and university, there is possibility to use or borrow ICT-based
special aids, such as a laptop computer with screen reading software. At the
special school for the blind more devices are available; mainstream students
and all blind and visually impaired persons can buy special aids, including
ICT –based for reduced price (10% self-contribution, the other part funded
by governmental resources). The problem is that computers are not included
in the list, and overall budget is too limited – there are quite long
waiting periods. The training necessary for using those ICT devices is quite
problematic as well – lots of training is carried through by projects or
informally.
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Finland
Support is offered mainly by The Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired
and the costs are cowered by the finnish government.
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Italy
Blind people are entitled to receive some hardware and software free of
charge for professional and personal use. These products are included in an
official directory approved by the Ministry of Health. Funding is provided
by the National Health Service .
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Lithuania
The system of provision of ICTs for blind and partially sighted people in
Lithuania is undergoing great changes. Since January 2007 blind and
partially sighted people can have ICTs from regional assistive technology
centres.
As for ICTs for blind and partially sighted children in mainstream education
much depends upon the persistence of teachers and parents. Some children can
have ICTs, some not.
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Malta
At school students are provided with a computer set and necessary software.
At University students are expected to provide their own pc but the
necessary software and support is available. At work pc hardware and
software are provided by the employer. At home blind people are given the
necessary support by FITA Foundation for Information Technology
Accessibility sub agency of the National Commission Persons with Disability
and co-ordinates all ICT accessibility for disabled people in the Maltese
Islands.
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Netherlands
there is support for the products you buy, limited support for the
functioning of the products, but not if you have problems in the daily use
of the ICT. One can get training when the product is bought but this is
limited and afterwards there is no support anymore.
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Czech Republic
Non-mandatory funding from national budget distributed by local authorities
in applicant’s place of permanent residence.
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UK
[There is statutory funding for equipment available for those blind and
partially sighted people in compulsory education, higher education and
employment.
In the UK, disabled students can receive a Disabled Students' Allowance,
which is paid on top of the standard student finance package and don't have
to be repaid. It can help with: specialist equipment for studying - for
example, computer software; a non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or
reader; extra travel costs; and other costs - for example, tapes or Braille
paper. Students may also be eligible for a mandatory or discretionary award
from their Local Education Authority (LEA).
Disabled employees or disabled people in need of support for a job interview
can benefit from Access to Work assistance, which provides practical support
and helps to meet additional costs associated with overcoming work related
obstacles resulting from disability. For example, it, it can help pay for:
adaptations to premises and equipment, communication support at interview,
special aids and equipment, support workers, travel to work, and “one off”
items of support that do not fit elsewhere, such as a grant towards the
awareness training for close colleagues.
For personal use, blind and partially sighted people need to purchase a
standard computer. However access technology such as specialised software
can be VAT exempt, but only if they are registered disabled. In certain
situations RNIB can make grants to help blind and partially sighted people
registered in the UK purchase computer related equipment, software and CCTV
equipment.]
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7.2. Is it possible to obtain support for ICTs for partially sighted
people of all age categories
Sweden
At school, university and workplaces there is little if any differences
between what all visually impaired people can get.
A big problem in Sweden, I think, is decisions on regional or local levels.
In Sweden we are expected to do banking, shopping, communicate with the
society etc via internet. Especially elderly people with a disabilities are
of many reasons losers.
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Germany
Important for private uses (at home) visual aids are provided as a rule but
not software and computers.
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Italy
Partially sighted people are entitled to receive some hardware and software
free of charge for professional and personal use. These products are
included in an official directory approved by the Ministry of Health.
Funding is provided by the National Health Service
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8/ E-GOVERNMENT
8.1. How do you evaluate the accessibility of public websites (E-
government; documents, forum, services, interactive pages, etc.)
Denmark
Bad : The biggest challenges with regard to accessibility are found on
interactive/self-service web pages. The question about filling out forms
on-line raise severe accessibility problems.
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Slovakia
It is still improving. The main problems are form to be filled and captcha.
There is Act of information of public administration (275/2006) which starts
with some regulations of web accessibility and from august 2008 stronger
measures of it will come in force.
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Sweden
As I wrote above. It depends on my specific situation.
Public web sites are farely well done.
But, as long as many VIPs can not get the needed support it is a big
problem.
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Germany
There is legislation (BITV) requiring that public websites have to be
accessible. Federal Government departments and agencies, local governments,
public authorities at various levels started to transpose the BITV
regulation. In many cases the websites are good in terns of accessibility in
others not satisfactory. In Germany the BIK project where DBSV is one of the
partners evaluates websites and provides advice how websites could be made
more accessible. In its recent report they conclude that good progress has
been achieved, but that there is still a lot to be done. There no or hardly
any interactive web pages which are accessible.
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Belgium
the government is aware of the necessity of accessible websites. In the past
there have been several meetings with the minister competent for
E-government.
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Estonia
It is possible with difficulties and sometimes with help from sighted person
(graphical codes etc). It also demands good knowledge and skills at
computers what are still quite rare, especially among older adults who are
blind or visually impaired.
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Finland
Problems with pdf-format and unusable forms
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Italy
Accessibility of websites and services is not yet at a minimum acceptable
level
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Lithuania
The greatest problem of those public websites which are accessible for blind
people is the shortage of information in the version for disabled.
Many public websites, i.e. department of statistics still are not accessible
for blind people.
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Malta
Malta is very advanced in its e-Government policy.
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Netherlands
Although a lot of the ‘owners of the websites have the intention to make it
accessible in practive a lot of them are not accessible at all. Or only
partly.
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UK
[It has been a legal requirement for UK websites to be accessible since
1999. Since then all websites have been expected to make “reasonable
adjustments” to ensure their websites accommodate all users regardless of
their ability.]
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8.2. Is your government doing anything to make E-government websites
accessible to blind and partially sighted people?
Denmark
The Danish IT and Telecom Agency maintains an on-line, interactive
purchasing toolbox where standards and recommendations on accessibility for
people with disabilities are integrated.
In addition, starting January 1 2008 all public web sites must comply with
the WAI accessibility guidelines unless the economic burden is
disproportionately high. In this case, the non-complying entity must explain
to the public why this requirement has been neglected.
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Slovenia
On homepage of E-government, it is possible to enlarge text using ctrl +
mouse scroll
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Slovakia
There is above mentioned Act of information systems of public
administration. There is cooperation with our organization and Ministry of
finances responsible of informatization of society, we are involved in
testing of web accessibility.
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Sweden
A document guidelines from 1999 adopted by the state says the a mong other
things information and communication must be accessible in the end of 2010.
Guidelines for accessible webbsites where also produced in 2004.
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Belgium
In Belgium exists a label called: “Anysurferlabel”. More and more public
websites are becoming accessible, according to the requirements of this
label.
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Finland
In principle our government is willing to improve the situation, but the
process is very slow and .there are no regulations for the different
authorities, only recommendations
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France
A decree will be published very soon to fixe obligations regarding
accessibility, we are waiting for it to see if it will be enough contraining
for public authorities
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Italy
Some experimental initiatives are under way but they are few and limited in
scope
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Lithuania
The government provides subsidies to different public institutions to make
E-government websites accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
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Malta
However there is still no software for the reading of Maltese texts.
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Netherlands
The Dutch government has decided to set up a set of standards which have to
be met, including accessibility(W3C etc) for people with a handicap, for all
public websites – ministries, councils, cities and other public authorities.
The set of standards is ready now it has to be implemented and followed by
the public authorities
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UK
[In order to meet European objectives for inclusive e-government and so that
the UK public sector meets its obligations with regards to disability
legislation, the UK government is proposing that all government websites
must meet Level Double-A of the W3C guidelines by December 2008.
Government websites are strongly recommended to develop an accessibility
policy to aid the planning and procurement of inclusive websites. This
includes building a business case, analysing user needs, developing an
accessibility test plan and procuring accessible content authoring tools.
The government is currently consulting on guidance which covers some of the
design solutions to common problems faced by users but is mainly aimed at
strategic managers and project managers to assist with planning and
procurement.]
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9/ EU INFLUENCE
9. Do you think that the EU has had a positive influence on the
situation of blind and partially sighted people in your country ?
Denmark
We frequently allude to EU legislation, e.g. the purchasing directive, when
lobbying our national Government.
In a number of other areas the EU legislation has been of inspiration or has
acted directly progressive on the situation for pwds in Denmark. The TV
without Frontiers directive has meant that testing and trial activities have
been commenced in DK. The regulation on air passengers rights gives a solid
backbone and further clarification to the rules and practices that have been
followed inDK. The Public procurement directive has meant that during public
tenders, biddders with a sensible disability sensitivity experience being
favoured.
The EU played an important role in promoting the Crpwd adopted 2006.
In general, with our current government who favours liberalism and
privatization, the EU regulation is often more progressive and serves as a
guard and stronghold against too vast cutbacks in services.
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Slovenia
Adaptation of local legislation with EU
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Slovakia
During accession period legislation had to be modified and enhanced. E.g.
Act about equal treatment 365/2004 (anti discrimination act) implementing
Directives 78/2000 and 43/2000.
Transposition of Directives like that about Braille labelling of medicines.
application of Directive about rights of passengers with reduced mobility in
air transport.
Exchange of experience, influence of EU antidiscrimination and equal
opportunity policy, EU co-financed projects focused on issues interesting
visually impaired people, inspiration, ideas, documents, position papers,
explanations, good practice for use in our legislation initiatives,
implementation activities, negotiations and campaigns.
Influence of development of public awareness.
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Sweden
I think then EU-initiative #europe guidelinees from 2002, Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines, has had a good influence on the decisionmakers in
Sweden.
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Germany
There are many examples where we have legislation in Germany which are
nothing else but EU directives and regulations transposed into the national
legislation (bus directive, labelling of medicinal products, TV without
frontier, the Euro
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Belgium
By implementing EU directives and regulations which improve the situation of
disabled people in the country. Based on article 13 (right to employment)
Belgium has established an antidiscrimination law.
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Estonia
The awareness about special needs is much higher; there is no need to
explain to our decision makers the issue of equal rights – it is accepted as
an European value.
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Finland
Our government and authorities have to follow Eu-regulations.
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France
The exchange of good practices is always positive, many exemples proof this
: pension for workets with disability, audio description, we hope other
progress in the future : taxe exemptions
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Italy
Very limited indeed and practically imperceptible by the man in the street
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Lithuania
No doubts: EU has had a positive influence on the situation of blind and
partially sighted people in respect of social inclusion.
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Malta
Blind and partially sighted people in Malta feel that they can seek better
support when necessary
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Netherlands
Regulation from EU in which accessibility is an issue contributes to the
work and is pushing national government to do more
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UK
[Disability discrimination in the UK is already covered by the Disability
Discrimination Act and the Disability Equality Duty. However, EU legislation
in the fields of eInclusion, such as the possibility to include
accessibility requirements in public procurement, has encouraged the UK
government to put in place additional measures.]
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10/ Finally, do you have any expectation with regard to your country’s
belonging to the EU?
10. Do you have expectations with regard to:
Netherland :
Accessibility of banking and payment systems.
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Slovakia :
The main expectation is standardization in all above mentioned topics
and more accessible project schemes including financial support.
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Bulgaria :
Technical support from the Government.
Financial support from the UE to the firms with blind workers.
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Romania :
Many expectations : higher standards, in every way.
We have to learn from the western countries.
Develop the mobility.
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France :
Employment : more cooperation between countries in Europe
Education : maintain special and ordinary schools, the two systems are
complementary
Vocational training : more exchanges of ideas and/or good practices
Rehabilitation centres :
Transport/mobility
Accessibility of buildings and traffic lanes
Access to information (accessibility of ICTs : more accessibility of public
websites
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