While we exploit technology and work on interoperability to share digital contents over multiple platforms, what we don’t realise is that we might inadvertently leave behind a group of individuals who may have difficulty accessing these digital content, said Chia Woon Yee, Director of Technology & Vocational Training at the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD).
While countries aim for a knowledge workforce and government moves digital, individuals with visual impairment, physical disabilities, hearing impairment and learning disabilities may have been neglected. These people may not be able to interact with digital contents unless the contents are made accessible, explained Chia to FutureGov Asia Pacific.
“As more and more information is transferred electronically, making digital content accessible becomes a social responsibility, especially if the content is meant for the public,” she said.
Hence, SPD has made a formal advocacy appeal to the Government to reinstate a direction on accessible ICT and web accessibility in the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) Masterplan, and to take the lead by making all government and e-government portals conform the international standards of web accessibility by 2015.
Making digital content accessible is neither a difficult nor expensive task. “Most common software applications like Adobe PDF maker and Microsoft Office have built-in tools for making documents accessible,” said Chia.
While providing accessibility benefits people with disabilities who are deemed a minority group, Chia said that it should not be forgotten that these same accessible features are also useful for non-disabled people—such as older persons who are slower, people with low literacy, people who have low Internet bandwidth, and individuals accessing content through mobile devices.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) outlines the following four basic principles in making websites accessible:
Perceivable— Information and user interface components must be presentable to users such that they can perceive the presented information, i.e. it can’t be invisible to all their senses
Operable— Users must be able to operate interface components and navigate. The interface cannot require interaction that a user cannot perform
Understandable— Users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface
Robust— Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. Users must be able to access the content even as technologies advance
Reference: http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2011/mar/22/accessible-digital-content-disabled/
Showing posts with label disabled. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disabled. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Initiative aims to get disabled ‘Connected’ - Gulf Times - 8 December 2010
The Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada) launched a new initiative yesterday in association with Vodafone and Qtel which will connect people with disabilities to information and communication technology (ICT).
Named ‘Connected’, the programme aims to provide nationwide accessibility to people with disabilities, while ensuring that those in the segment don’t have to pay more than others to use mobile telecommunications technology, officials said yesterday.
Over the next weeks, people with disabilities in Qatar will have access to a wide range of accessible and affordable services and products.
This includes assistive technology (AT) software and accessories, specialised handsets, website accessibility, and greater access to both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar stores.
Mada CEO Faleh al-Naemi said: “This is part of ongoing efforts by Mada and our industry partners to build an accessible ICT ecosystem in Qatar.”
Mada was launched through the combined initiative of ictQATAR (The Supreme Council of Information and Community Technology), Vodafone, Qtel, Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Microsoft, with a vision of ICT for all, and provides AT to people with disabilities.
Based on a vision of a world with information communication technology for all, Mada provides assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities.
The initiative has seen the coming together of Qtel and Vodafone, whose representatives along with al-Naemi signed agreements for the programme yesterday.
Qtel CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said: “Telecommunications transforms people’s lives, and that’s just how we see our broader mission at Qtel. Working with Mada, we are realising an important corporate goal of providing access for all, making the latest assistive communications technologies readily and easily accessible and affordable for people with disabilities throughout Qatar.”
According to him, Qtel’s own ‘Access for All’ straddles core elements of special discounts, special handsets and accessories, accessible branches, and a dedicated website.
Vodafone Qatar legal, regulatory & external relations director, Mathew Harrison-Harvey, said: “As Qatar aspires to build a fully connected society, Vodafone is proud to leverage its expertise through our partnership with Mada.
“It is part of our responsibilities to contribute by making communication more accessible for everyone.This includes handsets, tariffs and services that are specifically tailored to people with disabilities.”
Speaking to the media later, Dr Marafih said Mada’s innovative work can be copied throughout the region.
“We surely see this working in the markets we operate in,” he said. Harrison-Harvey also agreed while pointing out that Vodafone’s global outreach and expertise will be utilised to support the initiative.
Source:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=403366&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Named ‘Connected’, the programme aims to provide nationwide accessibility to people with disabilities, while ensuring that those in the segment don’t have to pay more than others to use mobile telecommunications technology, officials said yesterday.
Over the next weeks, people with disabilities in Qatar will have access to a wide range of accessible and affordable services and products.
This includes assistive technology (AT) software and accessories, specialised handsets, website accessibility, and greater access to both Qtel and Vodafone Qatar stores.
Mada CEO Faleh al-Naemi said: “This is part of ongoing efforts by Mada and our industry partners to build an accessible ICT ecosystem in Qatar.”
Mada was launched through the combined initiative of ictQATAR (The Supreme Council of Information and Community Technology), Vodafone, Qtel, Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Microsoft, with a vision of ICT for all, and provides AT to people with disabilities.
Based on a vision of a world with information communication technology for all, Mada provides assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities.
The initiative has seen the coming together of Qtel and Vodafone, whose representatives along with al-Naemi signed agreements for the programme yesterday.
Qtel CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said: “Telecommunications transforms people’s lives, and that’s just how we see our broader mission at Qtel. Working with Mada, we are realising an important corporate goal of providing access for all, making the latest assistive communications technologies readily and easily accessible and affordable for people with disabilities throughout Qatar.”
According to him, Qtel’s own ‘Access for All’ straddles core elements of special discounts, special handsets and accessories, accessible branches, and a dedicated website.
Vodafone Qatar legal, regulatory & external relations director, Mathew Harrison-Harvey, said: “As Qatar aspires to build a fully connected society, Vodafone is proud to leverage its expertise through our partnership with Mada.
“It is part of our responsibilities to contribute by making communication more accessible for everyone.This includes handsets, tariffs and services that are specifically tailored to people with disabilities.”
Speaking to the media later, Dr Marafih said Mada’s innovative work can be copied throughout the region.
“We surely see this working in the markets we operate in,” he said. Harrison-Harvey also agreed while pointing out that Vodafone’s global outreach and expertise will be utilised to support the initiative.
Source:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=403366&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Friday, October 15, 2010
Obama signs technology access bill for disabled - Associated Press - 9 October 2010
By Darlene Superville
Blind and deaf people will be able to more easily use smart phones, the Internet and other technologies that are staples of life and work under a bill signed into law on Friday.
Such a step has been a priority of advocates for the millions of people who cannot see or hear.
In the East Room of the White House, where he was flanked on stage by lawmakers and Stevie Wonder, President Barack Obama portrayed the occasion as another step in guaranteeing equal access, opportunity and respect for all Americans.
He recalled celebrating this year's 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, banning workplace discrimination against qualified people with disabilities and requiring improved access to public places and transportation.
"We've come a long way but even today, after all the progress that we've made, too many Americans with disabilities are still measured by what folks think they can't do, instead of what we know they can do," Obama said.
The new law "will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind or live with a visual impairment to do what many of us take for granted," he said, from navigating a TV or DVD menu to sending an e-mail on a smart phone.
"It sets new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on, and that's especially important in today's economy when every worker needs the necessary skills to compete for the jobs of the future," Obama said.
In one corner of the East Room, sign language interpreters translated Obama's remarks as he spoke. Across the room, his words scrolled on a large video monitor with help from a stenographer who transcribed them.
Under the law, the quality of life will improve for 25 million people who are blind or have difficulty seeing, along with the estimated 36 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing, advocacy groups say.
Nondisabled people stand to benefit, too. They may find the devices and screens easier to use.
The law sets federal guidelines that require the telecommunications industry to:
-Make getting to the Internet easier by improving the user interfaces on smart phones.
-Provide audible descriptions of on-screen action to help the blind more fully enjoy television.
-Add captions to online TV programming to help the deaf.
-Make the equipment used for Internet telephone calls compatible with hearing aids.
-Add a button or other switch to television remote controls for simpler access to closed captioning on television.
Paul Schroeder, a vice president at the American Foundation for the Blind, said many blind or deaf people have had to spend hundreds of dollars on costly accessories or software to make their cell phones and other devices easier to use.
"We hope that companies will start working immediately on making solutions available and affordable for people with disabilities," he said.
Blind since childhood, Schroeder described the bill as "life changing."
"As a person who is blind, it will bring some of the new technologies that are changing the workplace, education and leisure into my hands," he said.
Source: Associated Press, 9 October, 2010
URL:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101008/ap_on_hi_te/us_obama_technology_disabled
Blind and deaf people will be able to more easily use smart phones, the Internet and other technologies that are staples of life and work under a bill signed into law on Friday.
Such a step has been a priority of advocates for the millions of people who cannot see or hear.
In the East Room of the White House, where he was flanked on stage by lawmakers and Stevie Wonder, President Barack Obama portrayed the occasion as another step in guaranteeing equal access, opportunity and respect for all Americans.
He recalled celebrating this year's 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, banning workplace discrimination against qualified people with disabilities and requiring improved access to public places and transportation.
"We've come a long way but even today, after all the progress that we've made, too many Americans with disabilities are still measured by what folks think they can't do, instead of what we know they can do," Obama said.
The new law "will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind or live with a visual impairment to do what many of us take for granted," he said, from navigating a TV or DVD menu to sending an e-mail on a smart phone.
"It sets new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on, and that's especially important in today's economy when every worker needs the necessary skills to compete for the jobs of the future," Obama said.
In one corner of the East Room, sign language interpreters translated Obama's remarks as he spoke. Across the room, his words scrolled on a large video monitor with help from a stenographer who transcribed them.
Under the law, the quality of life will improve for 25 million people who are blind or have difficulty seeing, along with the estimated 36 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing, advocacy groups say.
Nondisabled people stand to benefit, too. They may find the devices and screens easier to use.
The law sets federal guidelines that require the telecommunications industry to:
-Make getting to the Internet easier by improving the user interfaces on smart phones.
-Provide audible descriptions of on-screen action to help the blind more fully enjoy television.
-Add captions to online TV programming to help the deaf.
-Make the equipment used for Internet telephone calls compatible with hearing aids.
-Add a button or other switch to television remote controls for simpler access to closed captioning on television.
Paul Schroeder, a vice president at the American Foundation for the Blind, said many blind or deaf people have had to spend hundreds of dollars on costly accessories or software to make their cell phones and other devices easier to use.
"We hope that companies will start working immediately on making solutions available and affordable for people with disabilities," he said.
Blind since childhood, Schroeder described the bill as "life changing."
"As a person who is blind, it will bring some of the new technologies that are changing the workplace, education and leisure into my hands," he said.
Source: Associated Press, 9 October, 2010
URL:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101008/ap_on_hi_te/us_obama_technology_disabled
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