IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 2
Around the IT/Web Accessible World
Global Perspective on Accessibility
The purpose of this column is to provide readers with an understanding of the issues regarding worldwide ICT accessibility. Each month I will identify a key issue, provide a description of that issue and report on actions being taken. Updates to the issues will be provided as they become available.
"International harmonization of standards and avoidance of region-specific certifications and logo requirements are essential to achieving truly global products and services."
-- Eugene Seagriff, Group Manager of the Accessibility Program at Panasonic.
While I whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Seagriff, international harmonization is easier said than done. The United States, European Union, Canada, Japan, and Australia have approached accessibility in a unique way. Governments and standards committees have outdone themselves by providing legislation, regulations, standards, and best practices for designing and procuring accessible software, hardware, websites, and services. While we certainly won´t fix the problem here, knowledge of each area´s governing practices may be able to assist those who must make business and product decisions in the interim.
Efforts to bring about harmonization are underway. For example, on October 19th-21st, a workshop is being held in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop, entitled the International Workshop on Accessibility Requirements for Public Procurement in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Domain, will address the harmonization of eAccessibility requirements to be used in the public procurement of ICT products and services and the requirements for policy implementation in this field.
The workshop will also contribute to the US-EU "Exchange of information regarding the planned use of ICT standards in support of regulations and other public policies" in the field of eAccessibility policies. Review of current policies and practices, examining the needs of the users/consumers, and common approaches on international best practices are scheduled to be discussed.
Contributing organizations include the European Commission, US Access Board, and the European ICT Standards Board (ICTSB). The outcome of this workshop is positioned to be a giant step towards international harmonization of accessibility standards.
Karen Beauregard can be reached at kbeauregard@tecaccess.net or #1-520-378-2744.
IT Accessibility in India
Legislation Covering Persons with Disabilities
The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights, and Full Participation) Act of 1995, is the most significant piece of legislation that has been enacted in India. The Act provides for both preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation, such as education, employment and vocational training, research, and manpower development. Additionally, the legislation encourages the creation of barrier-free environments, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, unemployment allowances for persons with disabilities, special insurance schemes for employees with disabilities, and the establishment of homes for persons with severe disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities Act is the most comprehensive piece of legislation passed to ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, thus allowing them to fully participate in nation building.
Legislation on Information Technology
India has passed the Information Technology Act 2000. This legislation provides legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as "electronic commerce." This technology involves the use of alternatives to paper based methods of communication and storage of information to facilitate electronic filing of documents with the government agencies.
Future for India is Optimistic
The Economic Times (leading newspaper on Business and Finance) recently reported that the government in India is emerging as the fourth largest vertical spender on Information Technology after the telecom, manufacturing, and banking and finance industries. According to Gartner estimates, the Indian government spent approximately 1 billion U.S. dollars on Information Technology in 2002. This includes the expenditure of the central and state governments on hardware, software, telecommunication equipment, telecommunication services, and IT services. Excluded in the expenditures are the salary costs of IT staff. In fact, the government accounted for 9 per cent of the total IT spent in India for the year 2002, and in five years that is estimated to go up to 15 percent. Though e-government is still in its infancy, over 20 states/union territories already have an IT policy in place. In terms of basic computerization, police departments, treasury, land records, irrigation, and justice departments are seen as having the maximum potential. Even though web accessibility is a new area in India, corporations are showing an interest in it.
IT Accessibility Policy in Ireland-- A Little Green
Ireland does not have written policies on IT accessibility. Yet, the Emerald Isle has established On-line Access to Services, Information, and Support (OASIS), an e-government initiative to make public information accessible to everyone. The country also has a manager, designated by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, whose duties are to ensure that services are affordable to persons with disabilities. Nevertheless, Ireland leaves funding for assistive technology to regional governments and organizations.
