Inclusive Society by Rodolfo Cattani Participating in the information society: a promising avenue. |
The importance of information and communication
technologies (ICT) in the life of European citizens keeps growing,
particularly for all those people who do not have immediate access to
them, persons with disabilities being first. |
ICT solutions accessible to
all are still insufficient and fragmented, affordable solutions adapted to
people's special needs also remains insufficient. Initiatives for
e-Inclusion tend to fill the gap of availability, accessibility,
reasonableness of costs and digital competence. Some actions are
particularly urgent: organizations and service providers need to improve
their broadband connection where accessibility is not yet guaranteed,
reduce the differences in price, improve the accessibility of websites,
guarantee accessibility and availability of accessible programs and
services of digital television, facilitate the access to emergency
telephone services and to the modality of global conversation, as well as
public information terminal. Products and services aimed at the mass
market have to take into account the universal access principle which
stimulates the market and make new products available. To reach the 2010 and Riga's objectives on e-Inclusion, it is necessary to realize that this is a pressing issue, to strengthen the visibility of the advantages of e-Inclusion, and to consolidate strategic choices. "e-Inclusion, be part of it" is meant to create awareness and coordinate the contributions aimed at mobilizing participation about a proposal. On the occasion of the high-level ministerial conference planned for the end of 2008, the progress of programmes will be discussed. In reality, for numerous persons with disabilities obstacles to e-Accessibility are still insurmountable. Communication COM(205)425 on e-Accessibility planned various measures to facilitate the attainment of accessibility to goods and services in the sector, among which the issuing of a new specific set of rules. Everyone involved agree that progress is insufficient and that the impact of adopted measures by some countries seems limited. It is consequently necessary to immediately establish community rules and procedures, before diverging national interventions produce an ulterior fragmentation of the market, and in useful time to influence the development of new mass technologies such as digital television. During the period 2008-2010, solutions have to be implemented in regards to the independence of persons with disabilities so that they can use digital television and electronic communications to guarantee access to emergency services and the interoperability in accordance with the revision proposed in the directives relative to electronic communications. Organizations and users have to keep up their cooperation with the European institutions of normalization, particularly in regards to the normalization of public contracting of accessible products and services in order to establish in 2008 a European training program on ICT planning accessible to all. The European Commission will have to implement a transversal legislative approach for an open-minded information society, respectful of rights, and an efficient internal market. Besides guaranteeing the existence of basic conditions, it is necessary to provide incentives for the effective use of services based on ICT and offer the possibility to acquire ulterior competence through education and training services. In conclusion, it seems appropriate to underline the importance of year 2008 for the success of Initiative 2010 and for the realization of the Riga Declaration objectives. Unfortunately, there is, besides the real problems, obstinate and unjustified resistance on the part of the industry to take on precise commitments, which may create a delay in reaching the objectives beyond the deadline of the mandate of the Commission and the European Parliament in 2009. If this hypothesis were to be true, the damage would be great and the recovery highly difficult. It is better then not to lose today this favourable opportunity. |