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Web Posted on: August 24, 1998


The inclusion of disabled people into the Information Society;
the fundamental role of the user involvement

Bass Treffers
European Disability Forum - Forum Européen des Personnes Handicapées
Square Ambiorix, 32 Bte 2/a B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32-2-282 4604 Fax +32-2-282 4609
E-mail: info@edf.arc.be - Site: http://www.edf.unicall.be

 

Information and communication technology (ICT) and other assistive technology (AT), whether 'high tech' or 'low tech' can be one factor to enhancing independence, integration and equal opportunities for disabled people today in the EU. Non-discriminatory legislation and social security systems, access to personal assistance and the development of accessible infrastructure are other valuable examples. ICT, when properly developed and used can enable disabled persons to do some of the things most people take for granted in all aspects of their daily life.

Speedy development in the Information Society can be a double-edged sword. Whilst it can be very empowering, providing valuable opportunities for participation in society otherwise not open to disabled people, it can also create new threatening barriers, further excluding disabled people. These opportunities and threats are well known to all participants of the TIDE conference, who are working on various relevant aspects and technologies.

In order to ensure that disabled people's rights as citizens are safeguarded, and equal opportunities actually provided by these technologies, a number of prerequisits exist:

  • the product must be designed to be functional and affordable for the end-user, and correspond to a need identified by disabled people themselves,
  • the product must actually be available to the end-user
  • the product must be of high-quality, safe and reliable

ICT and AT developments are a result of technology developments, needs or commercial stimulation.

To ensure that the above criteria are fulfilled, one main feature of the development process from initial ideas, through the design stage, in testing, in market research and launching, in devising appropriate assistive services and in on-going improvement of products the meaningful involvement of the end user is crucial. It is the disabled person for whom the product is intended who knows what is necessary, how it will be used, if it is worthwhile or if better solutions should be sought. It is the user who can tell in what situation technical support is crucial, it is the user who, in partnership with schools, employers, public transport companies, communication companies, knows what is ultimately needed. Researches and engineers have an invaluable resource available for creating the perfect product or service - and to actually market it.

Some sessions in the TIDE conference deal with related topics, and it is EDF's wish that in all deliberation - the intrest of the individual, not technological advance is put on central stage. The person's rights to equal opportunities and full participation cannot be compromised.

Furthermore the EDF recommends that the following issues are focussed upon:

  • Rights based legislation enabling the individual to receive financial support from local or national authorities to get the AT needed to exercise the right to education, employment, social life and leisure, and access to information and democratic channels.
  • To ensure obstacles to free movement of disabled people, legislation in this area should also be introduced at European level, building on the new articles included in the Amsterdam

Treaty last year, such as non-discrimination in article 13, Human rights articles 6 and 7 and the declaration attached to article 95.

The EDF calls upon researchers and industry to take a holistic view when in their future work, building partnerships at all levels with disabled users and their organisations to ensure that adequate solutions are put in place.



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