Actual access to the Internet and its content presents heaps of problems for persons with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. This new medium of communication can indeed be completely inaccessible for many disabled citizens looking for information and services.
As public services are coming on-line, there is a risk for an
entire portion of the population to become marginalized. This is unacceptable
given the fact that persons with disabilities would be likely to benefit the
most of efficient and accessible on-line services.In this sense, we can and we want to take the opportunity, which is offered to us by the use of technology, not only to reach a goal of ensuring a discrimination-free utilization of the net (and access services the public administration will have there), but to also set the objective of encouraging participation to activities and enjoyment of services by those citizens for whom it is still not possible or those who face major obstacles in doing so.
What is the role to be played by Emilia-Romagna in further developing computer accessibility for persons with disabilities?
A role of awareness raising of local agencies on the territory and promoting accessibility of web portals.
Recalling social politics supporting persons with disabilities, which can be accessed on-line on web site www.emiliaromagnasociale.it in the section Disabled; as an example, we may point out: · Contribution to businesses hiring persons with disabilities
· Contributions to encourage permanence in lodging
· Reduced rates for public transportation
· Ermes: “Government cuts funds. The Region replies “We'll take care of it.” (Accessibiliy to lodging and adaptation of physical environment)http://www.emiliaromagnasociale.it/news/disabili/30_9barriere.htm
· Regional law dated 14/2000 on “Promotion of access to employment by persons with disabilities and the disadvantaged.”
- Ermes - news dated 29/10/2002 “Number of disabled at work increasing.”
- http://www.regione.emilia-romagna.it/wcm/NotizieUfficioStampa/2002/ott/disabili.htm
· Portal Emilia-Romagna Sociale
http://www.emiliaromagnasociale.it/disabili/index.htm
Internet is by definition without frontiers and reaches anyone anywhere. There still exists competition between the commitment of Emilia-Romagna Region relating to computer accessibility and the State's commitment?
Projects in which we get involved to further improve regional accessibility to the web and computers are inspired by the decree of the Department of Civil Service (n. 3/2001) - and the decree of AIPA (n. AIPA/CR/32) - or by instructions from the Council and European Parliament.
If therefore we are moving at the prescriptive level within the scope intended at the European and national level; at the operating level, we have characterized our action by looking for the collaboration of persons who are knowledgeable in the field of computers and persons with disabilities on the territory. We have, for example, made agreements with the Asphi Association and with the Anastasis Cooperative with the intent of making a better use of experience of those who are working in the field and have been involved for years.
Reference:
· Decree of the Department of Civil Service (n. 3/2001) -13/03/2001 http://www.governo.it/sez_dossier/linee_web/circ13mar2001_fp.html
· Decree of AIPA (n. AIPA/CR/32) - 6 September 2001
http://www.governo.it/sez_dossier/linee_web/circ6set2001_aipa.html
· (EU) Council Resolution Regarding Accessibility of Public Web Sites - 25/26 March 2002 http://ue.eu.int/pressData/it/trans/70069.pdf
· (EU) Parliament Resolution (2002)0325 - 13 June 2002
http://www3.europarl.eu.int/omk/omnsapir.so/calendar?APP
=PDF&TYPE=PV2&FILE=p002
0613IT.pdf&LANGUE=IT
From Iperbole to ERMES : what is the short term project on the Internet that Emilia-Romagna will develop?
It is possible to refer to the Regional Telematic Plan and to the projects presented in response to the first national public notice on e-government which can be found on Ermes.
http://www.regionedigitale.net/progetti/seibandi.htm