Plans to improve
public websites, upgrade IT equipment and provide better online
content to suit the needs of disabled people were unveiled by
Communications Minister, Ed Vaizey today.
Launching the eAccessibility Plan, the Minister announced a
package of measures that will contribute to a more inclusive
digital economy for people with specific needs.
Ed Vaizey said:
“A successful digital economy can only be achieved if everyone
can enjoy the same advantages that technology offers, like access
to public services, online shopping and banking, interactive games
and social media.
“The market already provides options to suit different
disabilities but making use of these technologies can still be
difficult, and expensive. Our eAccessibility Plan will help ensure
that the UK offers better online opportunities and access to
equipment and software for people with disabilities.”
The key objectives of the plan include:
Improving technology and digital equipment to suit the needs of
those with disabilities and tackling issues of affordability and
availability of equipment (television, radio, computer) and
software (such as Braille embossers, light signallers and screen
readers);Implementing a new regulatory framework to enable OFCOM
to specify measures to ensure disabled people have equivalent
choice and access to digital communications services as
non-disabled consumers; Improving the design of public sector
websites to make them more accessible to disabled users; Making
previously inaccessible online and television content accessible
to disabled users, such as e-books for those with a visual
impairment; and Promoting awareness of the issues facing disabled
groups in the digital economy to achieve a more inclusive society.
The plan will be implemented by the eAccessibility Forum, a group
of over 60 experts from Government, industry and the voluntary
sector who will work to explore issues surrounding e-accessibility
so that better and more inclusive services can be developed for
both business and consumer benefit.
The Action Plan will be a ‘live document’ updated quarterly to
incorporate new developments and monitor progress. The aim is to
reach a step-change in eAccessibility by the time of the Olympics
and Paralympics in summer 2012.
Notes to editors:
The eAccessibility plan can be found at:
https://cms.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-sectors/digital-content/e-accessibility-forum
The eAccessibility forum was set up in April 2010 by the
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The group draws
together Government, business and disability rights groups to
explore and understand issues of e-accessibility and develop and
share best practice across sectors. They are particularly focused
on facilitating business opportunities around the development of
products, and in particular, terminal equipment for disabled
users.
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