How to facilitate equal access for all? – WS 08 2015

From EuroDIG Wiki
Revision as of 17:35, 27 May 2015 by JorgeF (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Schedule
Day 2: 5th June 2015 | 11:30 - 13:00 | room: Sofia III

Session teaser

This session will look at some of the standards and innovative technologies developed to help different information and connection platforms in providing equal access to the Internet for all.

Session description

In recent years, European countries have developed ambitious strategies and plans to provide universal or near-universal access to the Internet for all.

We are moving from basic broadband to higher and higher speed broadband including to next generation network and from 3G to 4G and eventually 5G.

However, not everyone is able to get online yet. Obstacles include poor Internet infrastructure in remote and rural areas; prohibitive pricing for specific groups such as the young, the elderly or the unemployed; the lack of basic digital skills; and the lack of assistive technologies for the disabled.

This session will look at some of the standards and innovative technologies developed to help different information and connection platforms in providing equal access the Internet to different communities and groups around Europe and ultimately for all. We will specifically look at mobile technologies, public information platforms such as libraries, skills initiatives and assistive technologies for the disabled.

In the last 20 years or so various organisations have developed open standards and programs to facilitate equal access for all:

  • For W3C "the Web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, whatever their hardware, software, language, culture, location, or physical or mental ability. When the Web meets this goal, it is accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive ability." One of the mission of the W3C "is to lead the Web to its full potential to be accessible, enabling people with disabilities to participate equally on the Web".
  • The DAISY Consortium (Digital Accessible Information System) "works towards creating the best way to read and publish". and "also supports and helps to develop inclusive publishing ecosystem for everybody, including persons with disabilities".
  • "The GSMA’s Digital Inclusion programme supports the industry to connect an additional two billion people in developing countries to the mobile internet by 2020".
  • Libraries provide access points as well as skilled staff throughout the world in urban and rural areas and give people the opportunity to access information and possibilities to develop their skill set.
  • The Internet Society advises and engages in a variety of Internet development activities across the globe with a focus on Internet infrastructure development and capacity building.

The session aims to offer new insights and discuss innovative approaches to bringing the Internet for everyone.

Keywords

equal access, local development, local community, libraries, disability, innovation, assistive technology, digital literacy

Format

Panel discussion with short opening statements/ presentations (tbd). Participation of the audience is encouraged!

Further reading

People

  • Focal Point:
    • Julia Brungs - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
    • Jorge Fernandes - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia of Ministry of Education & Science / Department of Information Society / Access Unit (FCT).
  • Org team: FCT, IFLA and ISOC
  • Key participants|Panelists:
    • Shadi Abou-Zahra - W3C.
    • Mani Manimohan - GSMA.
    • Maarit Palovirta - ISOC.
    • Robobraille (Bulgaria) / Biblus Digital Library (Bulgaria).
    • Christina de Castell - IFLA.
  • Moderator: Sébastien Bachollet - ISOC.
  • Reporter: Jorge Fernandes - FCT.
  • Remote moderator: Cláudia Cardoso - FCT.

Current discussion

See the discussion tab on the upper left side of this page

Mailing list

Contact: ws8@eurodig.org

Live stream / remote participation

Final report

Session twitter hashtag

Hashtag: #eurodigws8